BA (Hons) Politics, International Relations and Modern Languages (German) Bachelor's degree at Royal Holloway, University of London
BA (Hons) Politics, International Relations and Modern Languages (German) at RHUL. You'll develop knowledge across core theory, research methods and applied practice, alongside specialist options, an independent project and professional skills development.
About this course
Develop your knowledge of contemporary issues and dynamics which have shaped our lives and the European continent since the end of World War Two, and enhance your understanding of German language, literature and culture. From the provider’s course page.
BA (Hons) Politics, International Relations and Modern Languages (German) is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at RHUL, based in Egham Campus. It runs 4 years, studied full-time.
For Politics graduates from this provider, 78% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 50% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £26,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Politics & International Relations, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Limited evidence Published sample: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 78% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 92% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 11 modules
- Introduction to International RelationsCore
Module details
A broad introduction to theory and history in international relations since 1870. Covers various theoretical lenses from orthodox to critical perspectives, including the collapse of the Bismarckian European order, origins of World War 1, Cold War, decolonisation, rise of international institutions, humanitarian intervention and new security issues.
- Introduction to Politics and GovernmentCore
Module details
A foundational course introducing the academic study of politics and contemporary politics. Covers key concepts such as politics, power, rights, ideologies, democracy and representation, and explores different actors, institutions and processes that make up politics today.
- German Ab Initio Written ICore
Module details
Develops reading and writing skills in German. Uses a blended approach based on a beginners' coursebook with additional material on Moodle and weekly hand-outs based on authentic material. Themes include every-day life in Germany, introduction to German-speaking society and culture, regions and traditions.
Assessment: Assessed in German
- German Ab Initio Oral ICore
Module details
Develops speaking and listening skills in German. Uses a blended approach based on a beginners' coursebook with additional material on Moodle and weekly hand-outs based on authentic material. Themes include every-day life in German-speaking countries, introduction to German-speaking society and culture, regions and traditions.
Assessment: Assessed in German
- German Advanced Written ICore
Module details
Expands students' ability to express themselves in accurate written German. Major grammatical issues are taught and/or revised, with work on a wide range of authentic material in German to expand vocabulary and range of expressions. Key linguistic features are identified and discussed.
Assessment: Taught and assessed in German
- German Advanced Oral ICore
Module details
Expands students' ability to express themselves in accurate spoken German. Students work on a wide range of authentic material in German to expand vocabulary and range of expressions and to introduce them to contemporary issues and culture.
Assessment: Taught and assessed in German
- Introduction to German StudiesOptional
Module details
Introduces students to key areas of interest in contemporary German Studies, including literature, film, and history.
- Strange Encounters: Texts and Contexts in Modern German CultureOptional
- Tales of the City: Introduction to Thematic AnalysisOptional
Module details
Introduces students to a range of literary and filmic texts depicting different aspects of the city. Focuses on common thematic ground to develop skills of comparison and analysis, while exposing students to questions of urban space, public and private spheres, and alterity. Examines early twentieth-century modernity, post-war industrialisation and urbanisation, and contemporary transnational metropolis and multiculturalism.
- International Film 1: Contexts and PracticesOptional
Module details
Develops understanding of key tenets of film theory and application to important pre- and post-war European and international films. Looks at aspects of film style, genre and national and international contexts. Considers canonical works from a century of cinema history by filmmakers such as Joseph von Sternberg, Alfred Hitchcock and Pedro Almodovar.
- The Birth of FilmOptional
Module details
Provides introduction to the early phase of film history, covering the period between 1895 and the early 1930s, from the invention of motion pictures to the establishment of sound cinema. Examines how distinctive national film cultures emerged, including Italian dramas, French adaptations of theatre and popular literature, German Expressionism, Soviet political montage, and Hollywood studio system.
Year 2 5 modules
- Understanding the European Union: Politics and TheoryCore
Module details
Analyses contemporary politics of the European Union and its institutions amid challenges of economics, migration and Brexit. Covers political history of European integration after 1949 and contemporary theory of European integration, including Euroscepticism, party politics, public opinion, Brexit and EU-UK relations, and European Parliament elections. Theory sessions cover federalism, neo-functionalism, liberal intergovernmentalism and new institutionalisms.
- Intensive Beginners' German IICore
Module details
Builds on knowledge and skills from first year, establishing more advanced comprehension skills in written and spoken German through intensive practice and a range of learning materials. Emphasis on everyday language and day-to-day situations.
- German Language IICore
Module details
Maintains and develops broad intermediate vocabulary in German, revises basics of German grammar and syntax, and teaches more complex language structures. Enables understanding of natural, idiomatic and formal spoken German, presentation of information in written and spoken German, and discussion of topical issues critically.
- Democracy in BritainOptional
Module details
Explores the theory and practice of modern British politics. Familiarises students with the evolution of British democracy, how it operates today and challenges that confront it. Covers the 'nuts and bolts' of the political system, how and why the system operates, quality of contemporary democratic governance and key features of political behaviour. Focuses on the character, development and institutions of Britain's traditional democratic system, and dynamic elements including political parties,
- Contemporary Political TheoryOptional
Module details
Concerns theories underlying discussion of political problems and issues today. Examines a range of key ideas and the thinkers who have developed them. Topics covered likely include liberty, equality, human rights, punishment, democracy, gender, race, multiculturalism and cultural hegemony, civil disobedience, resistance and political violence.
Year 3 1 modules
- Year AbroadCore
Module details
Students spend the third year abroad, either studying, working, or both, based on learning preferences and professional goals. Expected to spend at least nine months in a country where the native language is the same as the language being studied. Allows expansion and refinement of linguistic competencies alongside development of intercultural competency and employability skills.
Assessment: Formally assessed
Year 4 2 modules
- European Union Public PolicyCore
Module details
Develops understanding of regulation in the European Union, including delivery of policy and administration. Examines how the world's largest market operates, with focus on EU public policy, including de-regulation, re-regulation, budgets and spending. Covers the single market, the Euro and its crisis, justice, home affairs and counter-terrorism, the EU budget, agriculture, regional development, and social and environmental policies.
- German Language IIICore
Module details
Develops ability to understand natural, idiomatic spoken German as delivered by native speakers or on radio/TV designed for native speakers. Enables discussion of German current affairs using appropriate vocabulary and reading of complex passages of authentic, elevated German including literary, academic and journalistic texts. Develops written translation skills in fluent, accurate and idiomatic English and German.
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This course develops your knowledge of contemporary political issues and European dynamics since the end of World War Two, whilst strengthening your German language, literature and culture. You'll usually begin with foundations in political science, international relations theory and research skills. As you progress, you'll move to comparative politics and international security, learning both quantitative and qualitative research methods. In later years, you'll choose from specialist options such as global governance, human rights, political theory and public policy, and complete a supervised dissertation on a political question of your choosing. German language study runs alongside this, building proficiency and cultural understanding throughout.
Who it's for
This course suits students with strong A-level or equivalent qualifications. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent; the typical UCAS tariff band among recent entrants was 112–127 points. You should have genuine interest in political systems, international affairs and German language competence. Check the university's funding pages for bursaries and scholarships.
Careers & job market
Nationally, 85% of Politics and International Relations graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating. Of those working, 60% are in highly skilled roles or further study. Graduate earnings across the field are: starting salary £24,000–£32,000 (15 months post-graduation); £21,675–£30,600 after three years; and £27,200–£38,400 after five years. These are national figures from Graduate Outcomes and LEO data, not university-specific guarantees. Ninety per cent of students continue past their first year, either still enrolled or having completed their studies.
University & format
The course is taught full-time at Royal Holloway, University of London, a higher education college based at Egham Campus. It runs for 4 years and is conducted in English. Royal Holloway is a recognised UK degree-awarding body whose degrees are nationally recognised. The university holds a Silver award for teaching quality from the Office for Students' TEF 2023 and was.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Work placement. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 98% |
| another higher-education qualification | 1% |
| an Access course | 1% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code LR22). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at RHUL →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Politics & International Relations graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £26,000 | £24,000 – £30,000 | 20 |
| 3 years after | £27,500 | £21,500 – £35,000 | 80 |
| 5 years after | £35,500 | £25,500 – £45,500 | 95 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in politics & international relations · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Politics & International Relations nationally
National figures for Politics & International Relations graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Politics & International Relations courses at the same study level.
Compared with 690 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Business and public service associate professionalsSOC 2020 35 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £38,760
- Administrative occupationsSOC 2020 41 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £27,006
- Elementary occupationsSOC 2020 9 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £19,087
- Sales occupationsSOC 2020 71 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £15,975
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 35; response rate: 75%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Politics & International Relations graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Politics & International Relations graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Government & civil service (FCDO)
- Think tanks
- NGOs
- Public-affairs agencies
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Politics & International Relations graduates.
Head of History & PoliticsProspero TeachingExaminer - GCE A Level Politics (2017 specification).PearsonA Level PoliticsBURNLEY COLLEGESocial & Audience Engagement Producer (Politics & World News)SkyHead of the School of Area Studies Sociology History Politics and LiteratureUniversity of PortsmouthHead of History and politicsCV-LibraryIs this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
78% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £26,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.5 out of 10: NSS 83.7% · in work or study 78% · continued 92%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Royal Holloway and Bedford New College
Social sciences across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Egham Campus
437 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Politics & International Relations right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to RHUL from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £26,800 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check RHUL’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with RHUL and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at RHUL
Politics & International Relations at other universities
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How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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