
Alex McKenna, Diplomatic Strategy Advisor / BA International Politics
Studying at ULIP will not only give you a great grounding in French language, politics and culture but the Paris experience will open plenty of career opportunities.
This major/minor three-year degree programme entirely based in the heart of Paris, will enable you to learn about "doing" international politics and consolidate your French language skills while gaining international experience.
The major subject is delivered entirely in English while the minor is entirely delivered in French. The programme’s immersive approach, blending traditional seminars with fieldwork, will provide a firm theoretical and practical foundation for understanding international politics and enable you to graduate with a renowned University of London degree.
While native French speakers will not be accepted onto this programme, they are accepted onto our single honours programme.
All applicants must show they meet a minimum academic English language standard for admission and to be successful on the course, to the indicated levels for the area of study. English requirements if education non conducted in English: IELTS 7 overall, including 6.5 in Writing and other subscores no lower than 5.5, or equivalent qualification
Taught in English, our BA in International Politics with French gives students the chance to experience life and culture in the French capital while studying the practical aspect of international politics in contemporary society.
You'll benefit from an intellectually stimulating degree which will enable you to explore how state, non-state, governmental and non-governmental actors perform international politics on the world stage, and the theories and methods of understanding their actions. You'll carry out fieldwork engaging with political actors, sites and practices, and share your learnings with your peers in a collaborative seminar.
The official language in 29 countries, French has a long history as an international language of commerce and diplomacy and is an official language in many international organisations. To undertake the Minor in French Studies you will be required to have French at A level or equivalent. Studying for the Minor, as well as everyday exposure to French life and language, will enable you to acquire a good level of proficiency in the French language, as well as gain valuable transferable skill that will open doors to international career opportunities.
The BA in International Politics is a small programme with close attention to students and their learning experiences. By studying international politics in our campus located in the heart of Paris, just around the corner from the intellectual heartbeat of France and the Assemblée Nationale (a major political institution in France), you will benefit from a singular teaching and learning experience.
Some of the degree benefits include:
The Major is entirely taught in English and provides progressive structures enabling you to develop increasingly specialised knowledge and understanding of key themes in international politics alongside core transferable skills. The Minor is primarily taught in French, allowing you to strengthen your language skills and easily integrate into French life. In Major/Minor programmes, students take 90 credits in the Major subject and 30 credits of the Minor subject in each year of study.
As a student at ULIP, you will play an active part in your acquisition of skills and knowledge. You’ll receive approximately eleven hours of weekly contact time, in the form of formal lectures and small group seminars. The seminars are designed to generate informed discussion around set topics, and may involve student presentations, group exercises and role-play as well as open discussion.
For every hour spent in seminars you will be expected to complete a further 2-3 hours of independent study. Your individual study time could be spent preparing for, or following up on formal study sessions; reading; producing written work; completing projects; and revising for examinations. The direction of your individual study will be guided by the formal study sessions you attend, along with your reading lists and assignments. However, we expect you to demonstrate an active role in your own learning by reading widely and expanding your own knowledge, understanding and critical ability.
We take pride in the close and friendly working relationship we have with our students. You are assigned an Academic Adviser who will guide you in both academic and pastoral matters throughout your time at ULIP.
Learning Labs involves field experience where you will engage actors of international politics to develop an advanced understanding of practical aspects of international politics. You will then bring this experience back to the classroom to collaborate with your peers and teachers on experience-based learning projects. This is an important transferable skill and will help to prepare you for the transition to working life.
Students are assessed by a combination of coursework and exams. A few modules are assessed by coursework only. If a module is assessed by means of coursework alone, this is usually in the form of a research project or dissertation, and the tutor project supervisor offers guidance and support in the researching and writing of this piece of assessment.
Students in this programme will take 30-credits French modules every year. The courses will be primarily taught in French allowing you to capitalise on your existing French knowledge and strengthen your language skills to become more fluent. Proficiency in French is required for the BA in International Politics with French programme, students must have A level French or equivalent.
If you do not meet this entry requirement, you can still study BA in International Politics without the French option and take non-credit-bearing supplementary courses in French throughout the duration of your studies.
Download an overview of our modules, or continue to find our programme outline*
Compulsory modules
Compulsory modules
Optional modules (students select 1 form the list below)
Compulsory modules
Optional Modules (students select 1 from the list below)
*All courses listed above are subject to availability.
International Politics students have the opportunity to develop strong research, analytical and communication skills during their undergraduate programme, which combined to the invaluable international experience gained during the course of this singular degree, will mean a huge range of careers will open up to graduates, both inside and outside the political world.
Some graduates from ULIP will enter sectors such as government, international governmental or non-governmental organisations, whilst others transfer skills gained during study into roles such as policy research, law, activism, campaigning or a wide range of opportunities in the non-profit or commercial fields.
In today’s complex career trajectories that graduates follow, most employers expect them to have a range of skills and work experience. Being based in Paris is a distinct advantage, and with the help of Queen Mary University of London we have designed programmes of careers support to help you take advantage of our location.
Alongside your studies, you'll have opportunities to:
Whether you need help with writing a CV, developing your interview skills or planning further study once you graduate, you will benefit from the support and services offered by QMUL Careers and Enterprise to make sure you have the tools to make the most of the opportunities offered by this programme.
The University of London Institute in Paris charges an annual tuition fee for the BA in International Politics with French. This fee will vary depending on whether you are a resident of the UK or whether you are applying from outside the UK as an international student.
The UK government sets guidelines on who is eligible to pay the UK rate of fees. Details can be found on the UKCISA website.
Please note that international fees are subject to inflationary increases year on year, during the three years of your studies.
Being a UK institution, UK students are eligible for student financial support from the Student Loans Company.
This means that if you are eligible for government funding you do not have to pay anything up front. Please visit our Finding funding section for further information on applying for government loans and university bursaries.
If you have any further questions, please contact us via our contact form where help will be on hand.
Applicants receive detailed guidance on UK and French sources of funding available to ULIP students. The Student Services team is on hand to provide guidance on how to apply.
Students can also consult Queen Mary’s Student Advice Guides which covers ways to finance their degree and can also receive specialist support on all financial and welfare issues through the Advice and Counselling Service.
All candidates should apply through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions System).
Short-listed candidates are invited for a phone or online interview. When possible, interviews are held before the annual Applicant Open Day, otherwise known as "Journée de Rencontres", which normally takes place in April. This event gives applicants and their guests an opportunity to meet staff and current students as well as to find out more about ULIP.
Applications should be made online at www.ucas.com
If you have any questions about the application process, please contact us via our contact form.