Royal Holloway, University of London has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Course summary
Politics, International Relations and Modern Languages explores the key areas of contemporary European politics and international relations and combines these with the in-depth study of Italian language, society and culture. Taught in partnership between the Department of Politics and International Relations and the School of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures, this course is informed by the outstanding research and international outlook of both departments. The politics element of the course provides an introduction to the working of international relations and the growth of Europe as a political entity. This includes research into areas such as Brexit, the European Union’s Budget, the European Parliament, security, international diplomacy, and the use of military force, as well as European languages and cultures. Your second and final year courses in European politics and international relations will be taught by Giacomo Benedetto, who holds a Jean Monnet professorship in European integration awarded by the European Union. As a modern linguist, you will not only learn to speak and write fluently, you will also develop excellent communication and research skills and combine language proficiency with cross-cultural perspectives. As a part of Royal Holloway’s close-knit international community, based in our beautiful historic campus, you will be within easy reach of London. You will also have the exciting opportunity to spend a year working, teaching or studying in Italy, when you will immerse yourself in the language and culture and truly broaden your horizons. Among the insitutions we have exchange links with is Siena, one of Italy’s most respected universities for politics and international relations, located in the heart of historic Tuscany. In the event of a no-deal Brexit, we will commit to providing 2019 and 2020 entry students with a subsidy equivalent to current Erasmus+ funding (where this would have previously been funded by the Erasmus+ scheme). To find out more visit the Erasmus+ page.
- Study with leading experts on Brexit and EU Budgets.
- Taught in partnership with the School of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures.
- Spend a year of study and/or work in Italy.
- Gain written and verbal fluency in Italian.
- Other language options in German (R200), French (R100) and Spanish (R401).
Modules
Core Modules Year 1 Introduction to International Relations Introduction to Politics and Government You will take one of the following modules in Italian depending on your language proficiency: Italian Language: Culture and Translation Italian Ab Initio Written I Italian Ab Initio Oral I Italian Advanced Written I Italian Advanced Oral I Year 2 Understanding the European Union: Politics and Theory You will take one of the following: You will take one of the following modules in Italian depending on your language proficiency: Advanced Italian II for Post Beginners Advanced Italian II Advanced Italian Translation: Skills and Practice Year 3 Year Abroad Year 4 European Union Public Policy You will take the following module in Italian: Advanced Italian III Optional Modules There are a number of optional course modules available during your degree studies. The following is a selection of optional course modules that are likely to be available. Please note that although the College will keep changes to a minimum, new modules may be offered or existing modules may be withdrawn, for example, in response to a change in staff. Applicants will be informed if any significant changes need to be made. Year 1 Optional modules in Italian may include: Heritage of Dante Fascist Italy Building the Italian Nation Year 2 International Relations Theory Democracy in Britain Contemporary Political Theory International Political Economy Political Behaviour War and Security in World Politics Modern Political Thought International Organisations The Politics of Human Rights Introduction to Political Communication Optional modules in Italian may include: Postwar Italian Cinema: the Auteur Tradition Art and Literature in Renaissance Florence Italian Crime Fiction Year 4 European Union Foreign Policy Power and Money in the European Union Politics and/or International Relations Dissertation The British in India: a Social and Political History Contemporary Middle East Politics US Foreign Policy Comparative Foreign Policy Young People's Politics Leadership, Power and the British Prime Minister Visual Politics Understanding China's Rise: Domestic Politics and Foreign Policy Global Energy Policy Refugees and Migration in World Politics American Political Development The Politics of Russia and Eastern Europe The Politics of International Development Issues in Democratic Theory Political Theories of Freedom Defence and Security Governance Military Change in the 21st Century Leaders and Political Communication Global Healthy Policy Political Protest Optional modules in Italian may include: Dante: Divine Comedy 2 Of Women, Knights, Weapons and Loves: the Italian Chivalric Tradition The Postmodern in Italian Literature: Pioneers, Practitioners and Critics Shooting History: Dictatorship, Terror and Crime in Italian Film
Assessment method
The course has a modular structure, whereby you will take 14 units at the rate of four per year in the first, second and fourth years, plus two in the third year, which is spent working or studying abroad. Most modules contain an element of assessed coursework, which contributes to the final mark awarded. Your first year is formative, though your results will determine whether you can progress to the second year. Your second and fourth year results, alongside those of the third year spent abroad, will contribute to your final degree classifcation. Work completed in your fourth year will count for a larger proportion of the result. You will be assigned a personal tutor who will provide you with support, guidance and advice throughout your studies. You will also have access to the comprehensive e-learning facility Moodle, which features lecture handouts and other supporting materials, such as lecture slides, quizzes, video clips, and links to relevant academic journal articles.
How to apply
29Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- LR23
- Institution code:
- R72
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - ABB - BBB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM
Access to HE Diploma - D: 27 credits M: 18 credits
Scottish Higher - AABBB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DD
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - D
Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF) - DDM
Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF) - DD
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - Not accepted
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H2, H2, H3, H3, H3
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| EU | £25900 | Year 1 |
| England | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
| International | £25900 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
The tuition fee for UK undergraduates is controlled by Government regulations. The fee for the academic year 2024/25 is £9,250 and is provided here as a guide. The fee for UK undergraduates starting in 2025/26 has not yet been set, but will be advertised here once confirmed.
This figure is the fee for EU and international students starting a degree in the academic year 2025/26.
Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase tuition fees annually for overseas fee-paying students. The increase for continuing students who start their degree in 2025/26 will be 5%. For further information see fees and funding and the terms and conditions.
These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2025/26 academic year and are included as a guide. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing, have not been included.
Provider information
Royal Holloway, University of London
Egham
TW20 0EX