Politics, International Studies and French BA
Undergraduate
Year abroad
UCAS course code
Start date
27 September 2027
Study location
University of Warwick
Qualification
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Department
Department of Politics & International Studies
Duration
4 years full-time
Course overview
Learn about politics at a national and international level. Critically examine political issues through a culturally sensitive lens. Develop and deepen French language skills. Understand cultures and societies where French is spoken. Gain valuable skills in theoretical analysis, qualitative and quantitative research, and written and verbal communication.
In this degree, understand and critically engage with the political world. Study the French language and Francophone society and culture. Explore theoretical and empirical approaches to political ideas with an emphasis on France.
Political theory, international relations and French language modules provide the core of the degree. Independent and collaborative study in these areas will develop your abilities in investigative and evaluative research, presentation and critical analysis, and build strong written and oral French communication skills.
The degree features a compulsory year abroad either studying or working in a French-speaking country. You can choose to be abroad in Year Two or Three.
In our Politics, International Studies and French BA, the first year does not count towards your final degree classification. However, all students are required to pass the first year of the degree programme in order to proceed to the Honours degree. The second and final years of study contribute 50% each to the final degree result.
Important information
We are planning to make some exciting changes to our Politics and International Studies and French (BA) degree for 2027/28 entry. We continually review our curricula to reflect developments in the relevant disciplines to deliver the best educational experience, integrating transferable and employability skills through our degrees to improve our graduate outcomes. The core and optional modules will undergo approval through the University's rigorous academic processes. As modules are approved, we will update the course information on this webpage. It is therefore very important that you check this webpage for the latest information before you apply and prior to accepting an offer. Sign up to receive updatesLink opens in a new window
Entry requirements
A level typical offer
Advanced route
AAB to include French.
Beginner route
AAB to include grade B at A-Level or grade 7/A at GCSE in a modern or classical language.
A level contextual offer
We welcome applications from candidates who meet the contextual eligibility criteria and whose predicted grades are close to, or slightly below, the contextual offer level. See if you’re eligible.
Advanced route
BBB to include French.
Beginner route
BBB to include grade B at A-Level or grade 7/A at GCSE in a modern or classical language.
General GCSE requirements
Unless specified differently above, you will also need a minimum of GCSE grade 4 or C (or an equivalent qualification) in English Language and either Mathematics or a Science subject. Find out more about our entry requirements and the qualifications we accept.
We advise that you also check the English Language requirements for your course which may specify a higher GCSE English requirement. Please find the information about this below.
International Baccalaureate (IB) typical offer
Advanced route
34 to include 5 in Higher Level French.
Beginner route
34 to include 5 at Higher Level or grade 7/A at GCSE in a modern or classical language.
International Baccalaureate (IB) contextual offer
We welcome applications from candidates who meet the contextual eligibility criteria and whose predicted grades are close to, or slightly below, the contextual offer level. See if you’re eligible.
Advanced route
32 to include 5 in Higher Level French.
Beginner route
32 to include 5 at Higher Level or grade A/7 at GCSE in a modern or classical language.
General GCSE requirements
Unless specified differently above, you will also need a minimum of GCSE grade 4 or C (or an equivalent qualification) in English Language and either Mathematics or a Science subject. Find out more about our entry requirements and the qualifications we accept.
We advise that you also check the English Language requirements for your course which may specify a higher GCSE English requirement. Please find the information about this below.
BTEC
Will be considered as long as essential entry requirements are met.
Scotland Advanced Highers
Advanced route
AB in two Advanced Highers including French where a minimum of AAB has been achieved in three additional Highers subjects
AA in two Advanced Highers including French where ABB/BBB has been achieved in three additional Highers subjects.
Beginner route
AB in two Advanced Highers including a modern or classical language, where AAB has been achieved in three additional Highers subjects,
AA in two Advanced Highers including a modern or classical language where ABB/BBB has been achieved in three additional Highers subjects.
If you are not taking an Advanced Higher language, you must have grade A at National 5 in a modern or classical language.
Welsh Baccalaureate
Advanced route
ABB in three subjects at A level including French, plus grade C in the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales.
Beginner route
ABB in three subjects at A level including French, plus grade C in the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales.
Access to Higher Education Diplomas
We will consider applicants returning to study who are presenting a QAA-recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma on a case-by-case basis.
Typically, we require 45 Credits at Level 3, including Distinction in 33 Level 3 credits and Merit in 12 Level 3 Credits. We may also require subject specific credits or an A level to be studied alongside the Access to Higher Education Diploma to fulfil essential subject requirements.
General GCSE requirements
Unless specified differently above, you will also need a minimum of GCSE grade 4 or C (or an equivalent qualification) in English Language and either Mathematics or a Science subject. Find out more about our entry requirements and the qualifications we accept.
We advise that you also check the English Language requirements for your course which may specify a higher GCSE English requirement. Please find the information about this below.
Please adjust your country as required:
This course requires:
Band B
All applicants have to meet our English Language requirements. If you cannot demonstrate that you meet these, you may be invited to take part in our Pre-sessional English course at Warwick.
Does Warwick make contextual offers?
Warwick may make differential offers to students in certain circumstances, such as those who have participated in a Widening Participation programme or who meet the University’s contextual data criteria. These offers are usually one or two grades below Warwick’s standard offer.
Do you offer foundation programmes?
All students who successfully complete the Warwick International Foundation Programme (IFP) and apply to Warwick through UCAS will receive a guaranteed conditional offer for a related undergraduate programme, for selected courses only. Further details are available in the standard offer and conditions for the IFP.
Can I take a gap year before starting my course?
Yes, Warwick welcomes applications for deferred (gap year) entry.
Will I need to interview for this course?
Warwick does not typically interview applicants. Offers are made based on the UCAS application, including predicted and achieved grades, the personal statement, and the school reference.
Modules
This joint degree is 50:50 between Politics and Modern Languages, with an optional split of 75:25 in the final year. It is four years and normally includes a year of study or work placement abroad in the third year in a country where French is an official language.
You can focus on a range of sub-fields including:
- Political theory
- Political systems
- Comparative politics
- French politics
- Francophone society and culture
- International relations
- International political economy
- French literature
- French cinema
- International development
Important information
We are planning to make some exciting changes to our Politics and International Studies and French (BA) degree for 2027/28 entry. We continually review our curricula to reflect developments in the relevant disciplines to deliver the best educational experience, integrating transferable and employability skills through our degrees to improve our graduate outcomes. The core and optional modules will undergo approval through the University's rigorous academic processes. As modules are approved, we will update the course information on this webpage. It is therefore very important that you check this webpage for the latest information before you apply and prior to accepting an offer. Sign up to receive updatesLink opens in a new window
Note that the module catalogue is subject to change for future years of study, as we evolve our courses in response to the latest developments in academia and industry.
Year 1
Year 2
You can spend this year studying abroad, or on a work placement. Alternatively, you can study the following modules this year and spend the next year abroad instead.
Year 3
Your third year will normally be spent abroad. If you did not spend your second year abroad, you will spend this year studying abroad, or on a work placement. If you spent your second year abroad, you will then follow the syllabus for your third year at Warwick (see Year 4).
Year 4
Fees and funding
Tuition fee
£9,790
On 26 November 2025, the UK government announced that the tuition fee cap for UK undergraduate students for the 2026-27 academic year would increase to £9,790 from the 2025-26 rate of at £9,535.
Students who qualify for government-regulated fees are classed as ‘Home’ students for fees purposes. In future years, fees for continuing students may be subject to an increase in fees in line with any inflationary uplift as determined by the UK Government (if permitted by law or government policy).
The UK Government sets tuition fee rates.
To learn more about how the UK student fees and maintenance loans are set, please visit the UK Government websiteLink opens in a new window and UCASLink opens in a new window.
We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.
If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.
Find out more about how universities assess fee statusLink opens in a new window
Funding your studies
Eligibility for student finance (including the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE)Link opens in a new window) will depend on certain criteria, such as your nationality, residency status, course, and previous level of study.
The information below is based on the package of financial support available to students starting their course in 2026.
Check if you're eligible for student financeLink opens in a new window
- Eligible Home students residing in England can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, which is not based on household income, to cover your tuition fees
- The Loan is paid directly to the University so, if you choose to take the full Tuition Fee Loan, you will not need to set up any payments
- You can apply for a Maintenance Loan to help with your living costs, such as accommodation, food, books and bills
- This loan is means-tested, so the amount you receive is partially based on your household income and if you choose to live at home or away from home
- For the latest information about student loans, including how you repay them, visit Student finance for undergraduatesLink opens in a new window
You will repay your loan or loans gradually once you are working and earning above a certain amount. For students starting their course after 1 August 2023 (on Student Finance England’s Plan 5), you will repay when your income is over £25,000 a year.
Repayments will be taken directly from your salary if you are an employee. If your income falls below the earnings threshold or you stop working, your repayments will stop until your income goes back up above this figure.
Find out more about repaying your student loanLink opens in a new window
Learn more about student funding for students ordinarily residing outside of England, including UK Countries and Other British Islands.
- Access thousands of part-time opportunities through our agency Unitemps (such as office work, retail jobs or helping at events)
- Choose to apply for a job as one of our Student Ambassadors to share your own experience at events like Open Days
There are many different funding routes available, including a number of bursaries and scholarships for full-time undergraduates. If you struggle to meet your essential living costs, our Student Funding team will be on hand to offer advice and support.
- Provides additional financial support for qualifying Home students from lower income families of up to £2,500 for eligible students
- This bursary is paid directly into your bank account in three equal termly instalments to help with the costs of studying
- There is no application for this bursary as your details will be provided directly from the student support awarding bodies (Student Finance England, Student Finance Northern Ireland, and Student Awards Agency Scotland)
- A number of scholarship opportunities are open to full-time undergraduate students. These include sporting and musical bursaries, and scholarships offered by commercial organisations.
If you experience financial difficulties during your studies, you may be eligible for Hardship Funding from the University, in the form of an Emergency Loan and/or a non-repayable award
There are no Department scholarships available for our Undergraduate courses, however there are other scholarships which you may be eligible for. Please see our scholarships web pagesLink opens in a new window for more information.
Tuition fee
If you are an overseas student enrolling in 2026-27, your annual tuition fees will be as follows:
Band 1 – £27,870 per year (classroom-based courses, including Humanities and most Social Science courses)
Band 2 – £35,530 per year (laboratory-based courses, plus Mathematics, Statistics, Theatre and Performance Studies, Economics, and courses provided by Warwick Business School, with exceptions)
Overseas Tuition fees for 2027-28 academic year have not been set. In future years, fees for continuing students may be subject to an increase in fees in line with an inflationary uplift. Please check our website for updates about 2027-28 fee rates before you apply.
If you are an EU student and eligible for student finance, you may be able to get a Tuition Fee Loan to cover your fees, please visit our Student Funding webpage for guidance for students ordinarily resident outside of England.
We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.
If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.
Find out more about how universities assess fee statusLink opens in a new window
Funding your studies
Eligibility for student finance will depend on certain criteria, such as your nationality, residency status, course, and previous level of study. The information below is based on the package of financial support available to students starting their course in 2026.
Check if you're eligible for student financeLink opens in a new window
Eligible European Union (EU) Undergraduates can apply for a loan to help with the cost of Tuition Fees. Eligible EU students who meet additional residency criteria may also be eligible for a loan to assist with living costs. For more information please see Student Finance for Undergraduates - EU StudentsLink opens in a new window.
- Access thousands of part-time opportunities through our agency Unitemps (such as office work, retail jobs or helping at events)
- Choose to apply for a job as one of our Student Ambassadors to share your own experience at events like Open Days
If you are an international student, you may be eligible for financial help from your own government, from the British Council or from other funding agencies. You can usually request information on scholarships from the Ministry of Education in your home country, or from the local British Council office.
A number of scholarship opportunities are open to full-time undergraduate students. These include sporting and musical bursaries, and scholarships offered by commercial organisations.
If you experience financial difficulties during your studies, you may be eligible for Hardship Funding from the University, in the form of an Emergency Loan and/or a non-repayable award.
As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.
For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue.
Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2025/26 year of study). Information about module specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:
- Core text books
- Printer credits
- Dissertation binding
- Robe hire for your degree ceremony
Are there any course specific costs?
Please check with the department.
Teaching and learning
Most modules are taught using a combination of weekly lectures and seminars. Lectures give an introduction to a topic to help prepare you for discussions in seminars. In seminars, you can engage in debates and share your views. For your language modules, you will have written and spoken language classes in small groups.
You will have a personal tutor who you can speak to about any questions you may have. There are also regular feedback sessions and opportunities to speak to module directors and seminar tutors.
Lecture sizes vary. Lectures are typically accompanied by seminar teaching which allows you to discuss and consolidate your learning.
There are 8 to 12 hours of classroom contact available per week. This is also supplemented with group work, one-to-one advice, feedback sessions, and the use of web-based materials.
Modules are assessed in a variety of ways including through exams and essays.
- Summative assessments - include exams and coursework that go towards your final grade.
- Formative assessments - do not contribute marks to your final grade. However, they help you understand key learning points and assessment styles.
- Language assessments - we will track your progress through language assignments, essays, presentations, portfolio submissions and examinations (written and oral).
Throughout your course you will receive detailed, personalised feedback to help you to improve your skills.
The third year of the degree is usually spent studying and/or on work placement in a country where French is an official language.
Possible study abroad universities include:
- Sciences Po Paris
- Sciences Po Paris-Reims
- Sciences Po Aix-en-Provence
- Sciences Po Bordeaux
- Sciences Po Lyon
- Université de Caen Basse Normandie
- Université de Bourgogne
- Université Paris X Nanterre
- Université Paris IV Sorbonne
- Université Stendhal, Grenoble
- Université des Antilles et de la Guyane (Martinique)
- l'École de Traduction et Interprétation ISTI (Université Libre de Bruxelles)
- Université Bordeaux III
Careers
We have a dedicated careers consultant who can support you with your career choices. We offer one-to-one appointments and workshops to help you find a career path, internship or work placement.
Graduates from these courses are working in:
- Government and politics (national, regional and international)
- Public affairs
- Education
- Charity and campaigning
- Media
- Public relations
- Journalism
- IT
- Banking and finance
- Recruitment
- Hospitality
- Advertising
Our graduates have gone on to work for employers such as:
- United Nations
- BBC Television
- Houses of Parliament
- OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)
- Lloyds Banking Group
- Human Rights Watch
Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. In addition, PAIS students have access to guest lecturers, careers information and placement support. Previous examples of workshops and events include:
- Your future awaits - the many things you can do after your degree in the PAIS department
- Careers in Government and Politics
- Warwick careers fairs throughout the year
- Careers Q&A sessions
- Assessment Centres and Interviews: an overview of what to expect for PAIS students
Our Student Opportunity (Careers) department offer a wide range of workshops, from developing confidence and interview techniques to learning how to articulate what you have to offer in order to impress potential employers. Online resources are also available, including training in drafting CVs and covering letters, practice aptitude and psychometric tests, practice online interviews, and other resources to help you research job opportunities. The myAdvantage databaseLink opens in a new window also advertises job, placement and internship vacancies that are from employers who are targeting Warwick students for their recruitment.
Within our Department you can find and apply for a work placement in the UK or abroad, and our dedicated careers consultant is also able to provide support.
See how the Department of Politics and International Studies at Warwick helped Divya and Sasi reach their career goals, providing the skills and connections to succeed. Discover how Warwick could shape your future.
Explore the career journeys of Warwick Social Sciences alumni. See how their university experience opened doors across industries and imagine where a degree from Warwick could take you.
Life at Warwick
This is where your journey begins. Our campus is the heart of it all. It’s more than just a campus - it's the places you visit, the people you meet, the fun that you have; the experiences you have here will be transformative.
Our campus
Within a close-knit community of staff and students from all over the world, discover a campus alive with possibilities.
Our campus is where all the elements of your student experience come together in one place. You won't be short of ways to spend your time on campus - whether it's visiting Warwick Arts Centre, using our incredible sports facilities, socialising in our bars, nightclub and cafés, or enjoying an open-air event. Or if you need some peace and quiet, you can explore lakes, woodland and green spaces just a few minutes’ walk from central campus
Follow our students around campus on our social channels to see their experiences first-hand.
Teaching facilities
Our campus is designed to cater for all of your learning needs. You will benefit from a variety of flexible, well-equipped study spaces and teaching facilities across the University.
- Oculus, our outstanding learning hub, houses state-of-the-art lecture theatres and innovative social learning and network areas
- The University Library
- Different study spaces offering you flexible individual and group study spaces, computers, printing and scanning facilities, multimedia resources and more
Supporting you
Our continuous support network is here to help you adjust to student life and to ensure you can easily access advice on many different issues. These may include managing your finances and workload, and settling into shared accommodation. We also have specialist disability and mental health support teams.
Whether you live in a campus residence or in partnership accommodation off campus, you’ll be part of a community to get the most from your experience at Warwick.
Societies and sports play a huge part in community life at Warwick. With over 300 to choose from, getting involved is one of the easiest ways to make friends and share in experiences. Whether you’re into films, martial arts, astronomy, gaming or musical theatre, you can instantly connect with people with similar interests.
Explore Warwick Students' Union societies and sports clubsLink opens in a new window
Why Warwick
Your university experience is defined by far more than your course or the career path you follow. At Warwick, it’s where you discover who you could become.
74th
Warwick is ranked 74th in the world and top 10 in all major UK league tables
(QS World University Rankings 2026Link opens in a new window, see our Reputation page for details)
4th
in the UK by the UK's top 100 graduate employers
(The Graduate Market in 2026, High Fliers Research Ltd.Link opens in a new window)
92%
Of our research has been assessed to be 'world leading' or 'internationally excellent' in the Research Excellence Framework
Gold
Awarded Gold in all categories
(Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023Link opens in a new window)
Our alumni community still call Warwick home. From a few hundred in 1965 to more than 310,000 alumni, and it's ever-growing.
As Warwick graduates, our students have access to employability support for two years after graduation, including access to careers appointments, job vacancies and professional networks.
About the department
1st
in the UK for research environment at REF2014 and REF2021.
The Research Professional News 2021 & (Times Higher Education REF 2021)
100%
4* for research environment for the second REF running.
The Research Professional News 2021 & (Times Higher Education REF 2021)
4th
position on REF ‘power’, the measure of overall influence of departmental research on academic debates.
The Research Professional News 2021 & (Times Higher Education REF 2021)
88%
of our research outputs judged world leading or internationally excellent.
The Research Professional News 2021 & (Times Higher Education REF 2021)
Join an innovative, creative and passionate department with a lively and interactive culture. Stretch and challenge yourself with the support of friendly staff and your peers.
Find out more about us on our websiteLink opens in a new window
Our courses
- Global Politics with Integrated Year Abroad in Brussels (BA)
- Politics (BA)
- Politics and International Studies (BA)
- Politics and International Studies with Chinese (BA)
- Politics and Sociology (BA)
- Politics, International Studies and French (BA)
- Politics, International Studies and German (BA)
- Politics, International Studies and Hispanic Studies (BA)
- Politics, International Studies and Italian (BA)
Related degrees
Within our Department we have a wide range of expertise concentrated together within one department. Our strong research profile enables us to provide research-led teaching across the specialisms of our academic staff. You’ll have access to a large range of activities and opportunities organised by the Department and the wider PAIS community. Weekly events bring together our undergraduate students, postgraduate students, post-docs and staff members.
As a PAIS student you will have your own facilities, with a dedicated common room which acts as a hub for students to gather, debate, and work together. The dedicated PAIS academic staff are located in the Social Sciences building, right in the heart of campus next to the Library, Arts Centre, and near to the main lecture theatres.
U-M163/FullTime
About the page
We have revised the information on this page since publication. See the edits we have made and content history.
This information is applicable for 2027 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply. Please read our web page 'Important information to consider before making an application' in advance of applying to Warwick.
Next steps
Experience campus at an Open Day. Can't visit? Receive regular email updates or ask current students and staff questions about life at Warwick.