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International Development and Languages (Chinese, French, Spanish) at University of Portsmouth - UCAS

University of Portsmouth

Degree level: Undergraduate

International Development and Languages (Chinese, French, Spanish)

Course options

2025 - 20262026 - 2027
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University of Portsmouth has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Open days

5Jul
University of Portsmouth Open Day
Undergraduate
6Sep
University of Portsmouth Open Day
Undergraduate
12Oct
University of Portsmouth Open Day
Undergraduate

Course summary

Overview Work towards fluency in a foreign language (or two) while exploring solutions to global social challenges such as poverty and hunger, environmental sustainability, universal education and health care. On this BA (Hons) International Development and Languages degree course, you'll study one language from beginner's level (French, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese) or post-A level (French, Spanish). As of 2021, these three languages are spoken as first or second languages by 1,930 billion people worldwide. You'll also get the chance to learn a second language: French, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Arabic, Japanese, German or British Sign Language (BSL). You'll get full support to build your language skills to fluency alongside opportunities to apply your learning to work with not-for-profit organisations in developing countries on placement. You'll graduate prepared for a career in organisations around the globe, in roles such as in government, teaching and working with non-government organisations (NGOs). Course highlights

  • Explore fields of economics, human geography, politics and international relations to find solutions that could include changing policy at a national level, managing relations between governments and developing budgets for sustained advancement
  • Use our professional-grade conference interpreting suite and language labs, where you can manipulate video, sound, text and internet sources
  • Immerse yourself in the cultures of the countries where your chosen languages are spoken – in the classroom, in our Global Café and on your work or study placement abroad
  • Gain on-the-ground experience of community development and protected area management on an optional field trip to Uganda
  • Be taught by staff who are committed to their research in the field, such as Professor Tamsin Bradley whose research is informing schemes to help support women across South Asia in their search for equality
  • Learn from professionals working in the sector
  • Put your expertise into practice in Model United Nations events, in collaboration with fellow students from International Development and International Relations
Worried about your grades? If you're not sure you meet the entry requirements, or need some help to get uni-ready, then we offer this course with a foundation year to bring you up to speed. When you successfully finish, you'll get a guaranteed place on this course. Careers and opportunities This course gives you the skills for careers in areas such as:
  • international community development
  • civil service
  • fundraising, campaigning and advocacy
  • policy development
  • social enterprise
  • corporate social responsibility
  • project management
What jobs can you do with an international development and languages degree? Our graduates have gone on to roles such as:
  • programme management, support and evaluation roles for international agencies and non-governmental organisations
  • fundraising development coordinator
  • human rights advocacy
  • media and digital content lead
  • community development practitioner
  • sustainable sourcing specialist for multinational corporations
  • teacher
Graduate destinations Our graduates have worked for non-governmental organisations (NGOs), government departments and companies such as:
  • Save the Children
  • Street Doctors
  • CAFOD
  • the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
  • the Department or International Development
  • Shelterbox
  • British Chamber of Commerce

Modules

Year 1 Core modules:

  • Key Themes in International Relations - 20 credits
  • Global Development (20 credits)
  • Navigating Global Challenges - 20 credits
Optional modules:
  • French General Language Grade 3 – 20 credits
  • Language Project (French) – 20 credits
  • Language Project (Mandarin) – 20 credits
  • Language Project (Spanish) – 20 credits
  • Mandarin General Language Grade 2 – 20 credits
  • Spanish General Language Grade 3 – 20 credits
  • Working with Language Today – 20 credits
  • French General Language Grade 1&2 – 40 credits
  • French Grade 1 and 2 – Language In Use – 20 credits
  • Mandarin General Language Grade 1&2 – 40 credits
  • Mandarin Grade 1 and 2 – Language In Use – 20 credits
  • Spanish General Language Grade 1&2 – 40 credits
  • Spanish Grade 1 and 2 – Language In Use – 20 credits
Year 2 Core modules:
  • Global Crises: Climate, Conflict and Insecurity - 20 credits
  • Bending the Truth a Little? Research Methods in Politics, International Relations and Development - 20 credits
Optional modules:
  • French General Language Grade 4 – 20 credits
  • Language for Professional Communication – 20 credits
  • Spanish General Language Grade 4 – 20 credits
  • Analysing Foreign Policy – 20 credits
  • Development and Democracy in Latin America – 20 credits
  • East Asian States and Societies – 20 credits
  • Introduction to Translation – 20 credits
  • Modern Foreign Language (Institute-Wide Language Programme) – 20 credits
  • French General Language Grade 3 and 4 (Part 1) – 20 credits
  • Mandarin General Language Grade 3 and 4 (Part 1) – 20 credits
  • Spanish General Language Grade 3 and 4 (Part 1) – 20 credits
  • Global Political Economy – 20 credits
  • The Geopolitics and Geo-Economics of Africa – 20 credits
  • Transitional Justice and Human Rights – 20 credits
  • Wildlife Crime: Threats and Response – 20 credits
  • French General Language Grade 3 and 4 (Part 2) – 20 credits
  • Mandarin General Language Grade 3 and 4 (Part 2) – 20 credits
  • Spanish General Language Grade 3 and 4 (Part 2) – 20 credits
Year abroad In your third year, you'll spend a year in a country where the main language you're studying is spoken. Year 4 Core module:
  • Translation Theory and Practice
Optional modules:
  • Dissertation (Social Sciences & Humanities) – 40 credits
  • Major Project – 40 credits
  • French General Language Grade 6 – 20 credits
  • Mandarin General Language Grade 6 – 20 credits
  • Spanish General Language Grade 6 – 20 credits
  • Independent Project (Social Sciences & Humanities) – 20 credits
  • Global Capitalism: Past, Present and Future – 20 credits
  • Interpreting 1 – 20 credits
  • NGOs and Social Movements – 20 credits
  • Race, Rights and Development: Global Perspectives on Inequality and Social Justice – 20 credits
  • Advanced Language Project – 20 credits
  • Research Project – 20 credits
  • France in the World: Global Actor or Global Maverick? – 20 credits
  • Gender and Social Justice – 20 credits
  • Interpreting – 20 credits
  • Professional Development: Recruiters and Candidates – 20 credits
  • Religion and Politics in Global Perspective – 20 credits
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies. Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry and some optional modules may not run every year. If a module doesn’t run, we’ll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.

Assessment method

You’ll be assessed through: examinations case studies projects presentations book reviews assignments You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark. You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.

How to apply

14Jan

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:
LR90
Institution code:
P80
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)

We welcome applications for advanced entry. If you’d like to apply for advanced entry, you need to select the required year when you complete your UCAS application.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
Cambridge English AdvancedCambridge English: Advanced (CAE) (taken after January 2015). An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162.
Cambridge English ProficiencyCambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) (taken after January 2015). An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162.
PTE Academic62An overall score of 62 with a minimum of 59 in each skill.
TOEFL (iBT)7979 with a minimum of 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing.
Trinity ISEPassTrinity College Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III with a Pass in all 4 components.

Student Outcomes

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Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
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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

No fee information has been provided for this course

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

**Undergraduate fees for 2026 entry will be available shortly.** For more information about fees, go to https://www.port.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/undergraduate-fees-and-student-finance/tuition-fees-living-costs-and-other-study-costs
International Development and Languages (Chinese, French, Spanish) at University of Portsmouth - UCAS