Politics, International Relations, English Language and Linguistics

This undergraduate program offers an in-depth exploration of Politics, International Relations, English Language, and Linguistics, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of contemporary political dynamics, global affairs, language structures, and communication processes. Throughout the course, students will examine the fundamental theories and principles underlying political systems, governance, policy-making, and international diplomacy, equipping them with the analytical skills necessary to critically assess global events and political developments. The program emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach, integrating insights from social sciences and humanities to foster a nuanced understanding of the complex interactions between political institutions, international organizations, non-state actors, and societal factors.

Students will engage with a diverse curriculum that covers key topics such as political ideologies, comparative politics, international security, human rights, and environmental politics, alongside modules focused on the English language, linguistics, and communication studies. The linguistics component explores phonetics, syntax, semantics, and language change, enabling students to analyze language structure and usage in various contexts. Communication modules enhance written and oral expression, critical thinking, and research skills essential for careers in diplomacy, media, journalism, policy analysis, or academia.

The program is delivered through lectures, seminars, workshops, and independent research projects, encouraging active participation and intellectual curiosity. Students will have opportunities for practical experiences, including placements, moot courts, and engagement with external organizations, to build professional skills and networks. The assessed coursework combines essays, presentations, exams, and research reports, fostering a rigorous academic environment. The university’s vibrant campus life and dedicated academic support services create an enriching experience, helping students to develop both academically and personally.

Graduates of this program will be equipped with a solid foundation in political theory, international affairs, and linguistic analysis, prepared for diverse careers in government, international organizations, media, education, or further postgraduate study. The program’s interdisciplinary nature ensures graduates are versatile and capable of navigating the complexities of modern global and linguistic challenges, making them valuable contributors to society and the global community.

Detailed Course Facts

Application deadline January 15 Tuition fee

• GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
• GBP 12450 Year (Non-EEA)

Start date September 2015 Credits (ECTS) 240 ECTS
Duration full-time 48 months Partnership Joint Languages Take an IELTS test

• English

Delivery mode On Campus Educational variant Part-time, Full-time More information Go To The Course Website

Course Content

The course structure below gives a flavour of the modules that will be available to you and provides details of the content of this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules, you may also have the option to take ‘wild’ modules from other programmes offered by the University in order that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas of interest to you or that may further enhance your employability.

Stage 1

Possible modules may include:

LW313 - A Critical Introduction to Law

LW315 - Introduction to Obligations

LW316 - Foundations of Property

EN302 - Early Drama

EN331 - Readings in the Twentieth Century

EN332 - Writing America

EN333 - Romanticism

Stage 2

Possible modules may include:

LW597 - The Law of Obligations

LW598 - Equity and Trusts

LW599 - Land Law

EN681 - Novelty, Enlightenment and Emancipation: 18th Century Literature

EN692 - Early Modern Literature 1500-1700

EN694 - Shakespeare and Early Modern Drama

EN697 - Chaucer and Late Medieval English Literature

EN695 - Empire, New Nations and Migration

EN677 - The Contemporary

EN689 - Modernism

EN672 - Reading Victorian Literature

EN675 - Declaring Independence: 19th Century US Literature

Stage 3

Possible modules may include:

LW588 - Public Law 1

LW551 - Law and Literature

LW581 - Law and Literature

EN701 - The Global Eighteenth Century

EN710 - Victorian Aestheticism and Decadence

EN676 - Cross-Cultural Coming-of-Age Narratives

EN668 - Discovery Space: New Theatres in Early Modern England

EN669 - Marriage, Desire and Divorce in Early Modern Literature

EN670 - Lyric, Ballad and Popular Song

EN660 - Writing Lives in Early Modern England: Diaries, Letters and Secret Selv

EN666 - From Book to Blog: Geoffrey Chaucer and his Afterlives

EN684 - Clouds, Waves & Crows: Writing the Natural, 1800 to the Present

EN687 - Poetry and Crisis, from the First World War to Occupy

EN580 - Charles Dickens and Victorian England

EN583 - Postcolonial Writing

EN604 - The Unknown: Reading and Writing

EN623 - Native American Literature

EN655 - Places and Journeys

EN656 - Heroes and Exiles: An Introduction to Old English Poetry

EN658 - American Crime Fiction

EN659 - Contemporary Irish Writing

EN657 - The Brontes in Context

EN633 - Bodies of Evidence: Reading The Body In Eighteenth Century Literature

EN637 - Unruly Women and Other Insubordinates: the dramatic repertoire of the Q

EN646 - Image, Vision and Dream: Medieval Texts and Visual Culture

EN586 - Language and Place in Colonial and Postcolonial Poetry

EN588 - Innovation and Experiment in New York, 1945- 1995

EN667 - Harlem to Hogan's Alley: Black Writing in North America

EN661 - The Stranger

EN702 - Thomas Hardy

EN703 - The 'Real' America: Class and Culture in the American Gilded Age

EN705 - The Contemporary Memoir

EN707 - The British Novel in the 1860s: Sensing Modern Life

EN708 - Virginia Woolf

EN709 - Animals, Humans, Writing

Stage 4

Possible modules may include:

LW592 - Public Law 2

LW593 - European Union Law

LW601 - Advanced Level Criminal Law

EN593 - English Long Essay

EN594 - English Long Essay

You have the opportunity to select wild modules in this stage

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6 CAE score : 75(Grade B) TOEFL paper-based test score : 580 TOEFL iBT® test : 85

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

take an IELTS test.

Requirements

Home/EU students

The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications, typical requirements are listed below, students offering alternative qualifications should contact the Admissions Office for further advice. It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.

Qualification / Typical offer/minimum requirement

A level

• AAA/AAB

Access to HE Diploma

• The University of Kent will not necessarily make conditional offers to all access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If an offer is made candidates will be required to obtain/pass the overall Access to Higher Education Diploma and may also be required to obtain a proportion of the total level 3 credits and/or credits in particular subjects at merit grade or above.

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma)

• The university will consider applicants holding BTEC National Diploma and Extended National Diploma Qualifications (QCF; NQF;OCR) on a case by case basis please contact us via the enquiries tab for further advice on your individual circumstances.

International Baccalaureate

• 34 points overall or 16 points at HL including English A1/A2/B at 5/6/6 or English Literature A/English Language and Literature A (or Literature A/Language and Literature A of another country) at HL 5 or SL 6

International students

The University receives applications from over 140 different nationalities and consequently will consider applications from prospective students offering a wide range of international qualifications. Our International Development Office will be happy to advise prospective students on entry requirements. See our International Student website for further information about our country-specific requirements.

Please note that if you need to increase your level of qualification ready for undergraduate study, we offer a number of International Foundation Programmes through Kent International Pathways.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Kent.

The Politics and International Relations undergraduate programme at the University of Kent offers students a comprehensive introduction to the key concepts, theories, and methods used in the study of political science and international affairs. Throughout the course, students explore a wide range of topics, including political ideologies, government institutions, global security, international organizations, and contemporary political issues. The programme aims to develop critical thinking, analytical skills, and an understanding of the complex interactions between domestic and international politics.

Students benefit from a diverse curriculum that covers both theoretical and practical aspects of politics and international relations. The course is designed to prepare graduates for careers in government, diplomacy, international organizations, media, research, and consultancy. Emphasis is placed on developing research skills, including data analysis, essay writing, and the ability to evaluate different viewpoints critically. The programme also offers opportunities for students to undertake placements or study abroad, enhancing their practical understanding and employability in the international arena.

At Kent, teaching is research-led, meaning that students learn from academics who are actively involved in cutting-edge research, ensuring that the content is current and relevant. The university provides state-of-the-art facilities, support services, and a vibrant academic community that fosters engaging discussions and networking opportunities. The core modules typically cover themes such as politics in the UK, comparative politics, international relations theory, global politics, and regional studies. Optional modules allow students to specialise further in areas like security studies, foreign policies, human rights, or environmental politics.

The duration of the programme is typically three years for full-time students, with options for variants such as combined honours or part-time study. Assessment methods include essays, exams, presentations, and research projects, aimed at developing a wide range of skills. Graduates from the programme have taken positions in government agencies, international NGOs, media outlets, and academic institutions, leveraging the knowledge and skills gained during their studies. The University of Kent prides itself on offering a supportive environment for students to thrive academically and prepare for global careers in politics and international relations.

The programme also emphasizes international perspectives, encouraging students to understand regional differences in political systems and diplomatic strategies. Guest lectures, seminars, and conferences are regularly organized, exposing students to practitioners and academics from around the world. The university's strong network of alumni and partners further enhances career prospects, providing pathways into internationally relevant roles.

Overall, the Politics and International Relations programme at the University of Kent is designed to equip students with critical insights into political processes and international affairs, fostering informed and engaged global citizens capable of influencing and understanding the complex geopolitical landscape of the 21st century.