Study at Cardiff | Undergraduate

This degree programme is a joint venture between the School of European Languages, Translation and Politics at Cardiff University and the Institute of Political Studies in Bordeaux and places Cardiff at the cutting edge of international research and teaching collaboration. The innovative scheme allows you to obtain the BScEcon in Politics from Cardiff University, as well as the Diploma from the Institute of Political Studies in Bordeaux. This is a four year long degree programme with your second and fourth year spent studying in Bordeaux and is a real opportunity for you to combine language skills with a background in the social sciences or history.

Key Facts

UCAS Code	L241
Duration	4 years
How to apply	www.cardiff.ac.uk/howtoapply
Accreditation
Typical places available	The School admits 230 students each year to its undergraduate degree programmes On this programme we admit 6 from Bordeaux and 6 from Cardiff
Typical applications received	1,300
Scholarships & Bursaries	www.cardiff.ac.uk/scholarships
Fees	www.cardiff.ac.uk/fees
Typical A-level offer	AAB-BBB + interview Applicants must have an A in French and at least a B in a social science subject
Admissions Tutors	Dr Christian Bueger
Tel Number	029 2087 4564 / 029 2087 0824
Email address	EUROP-UG-Admissions@cardiff.ac.uk
School website	www.cardiff.ac.uk/europ

The first year of the degree programme is spent in Cardiff and includes core courses that cover introductions to politics, government, political thought and European integration. You will also study contemporary France and gain intensive language training.

The second year will be spent in the French city of Bordeaux. At the Institute of Political Studies you will study a broad range of introductory social science courses as well as receiving training in French learning methods and the French language.

You will return to Cardiff for your third year of study where you will follow courses on the European Union, the British Government and international organisations, Politics and the French Language, as well as an optional course.

Your final year will be spent in Bordeaux, where you will undertake a series of common core courses as well as Either the professional or research pathway (see below). At the end of Year 1, students need to have accumulated 120 credits. Most modules taught in Year 1 are equivalent to 20 credits; six of these need to be successfully undertaken to acquire the requisite credits to proceed in the scheme.

Compulsory Modules

• Introduction to Government
• Introduction to European Integration
• Introduction to Political Thought
• Contemporary French Language (British students)
• Language, Politics and Society in Britain (French students)
• Modern France: War, Conflict and Culture
• Modern France: Politics, Economics & Society

Year 2

The Bordeaux Year is a general one. There are two overarching objectives:

• the acquisition of working methods
• an introduction to the social sciences

Lectures (Cours magistraux)

1. Théorie générale de l'Etat et des régimes politiques
2. Introduction à l'économie politique
3. Histoire politique française : IIIème, IVème et Vème république
4. Histoire culturelle et politique
5. Cours d'Etudes politiques sur la Grande Bretagne (en anglais)
6. Introduction à la sociologie générale
7. Organisation et vie internationale
8. Les grandes étapes de la pensée économique
9. Géographie humaine

Seminars (Conférences de méthode)

Études politiques comparées (Droit Public et Sociologie Politique):

1. Culture générale
2. Etudes politiques
3. Economie
4. LV1 A : Français (Cardiff) ou Anglais (Bordeaux)
5. LV1 B : Français (Cardiff) ou Anglais (Bordeaux)
6. LV2 : Espagnol, Allemand (obligatoire pour Bordeaux, optionnel pour Cardiff)
7. LV1 C : Français (optionnel pour Cardiff)

Year 3

In their third year in Cardiff, each student must follow core and option courses.

Politics and Policies of the EU, Global International Organisation in World Politics, and either British Government since 1945 or Public Policy in Britain and Language will normally be the core courses. There is a vast choice of other suitable courses that students should be free to determine themselves; given the exceptional nature of this course, the School may waive prerequisites where appropriate.

Compulsory Modules

• Politics & Policies of the EU
• Global International Organisation in World Politics
• Either British Government since 1945 or Public Policy in Britain

Optional Modules

• France and Africa: Power, Scandal, Genocide
• History of French Labour
• Preparing a Research Project Cardiff/Bordeaux
• Research Project Cardiff/Bordeaux
• Empire, War, Decolonisation
• Contemporary French Employment Relations
• Elections in the UK
• Modern Welsh Politics
• European Mind in the 20th Century
• Personality & Power
• European Union Security
• Managing a Difficult Democracy
• French Politics & Society
• Influencing Public Policy
• Justice & Politics of International Law
• Conflict, Security & Development
• May ’68 – Marking Changes in European Politics & Culture
• Additional modules
• German Language
• Italian Language
• Spanish Language

Year 4 - Bordeaux

The final year of the joint Bordeaux-Cardiff degree-diploma scheme is held in Bordeaux. This year provides general training, laying special emphasis on the international dimension of politics.

The BSc (Econ) and the Diploma are both awarded at the same time, at the end of the fourth year.

Students choose between two pathways:

• Professional pathway - European Governance. This pathway is intended for those seeking careers in public administration, the European Institutions or European firms.
• Research pathway - focussing on issues of European Integration.

Core Lecture Courses and Seminars

Lectures (Cours fondamentaux)

1. Relations internationales
2. Cours par un enseignant de Cardiff (en anglais)
3. Histoire économique internationale
4. Relations économiques internationals

Seminars (Conférences de méthode)

1. Culture générale (centrée sur la culture européenne)
2. Économie : Économie de l’Union Européenne
3. LV1 A : Français (Cardiff) ou Anglais (Bordeaux)
4. LV1 B : Français (Cardiff) ou Anglais (Bordeaux)
5. LV2 : Espagnol, Allemand (obligatoire pour Bordeaux, optionnel pour Cardiff)
6. LV1 C : Français (optionnel pour Cardiff)

Additional Courses in the Professional Pathway

1. Action internationale de l’UE
2. Sécurité et défense en Europe
3. G éographie humaine de l’Union Européenne
4. Europe et territoires
5. Lobbies et groupes de pression
6. Finances publiques européennes
7. Acteurs sociaux et économiques en Europe
8. L'Europe et l'Outre Mer

Additional Courses in the Research Pathway

1. Principaux paradigmes des sciences sociales
2. Philosophie politique et pensée politique
3. Conférence de méthodologie (Construction de l’objet de recherche)
4. Théories et méthodes de la politique comparée
5. Séminaire de lectures en politique comparée
6. Le système politique de l’Union européenne
7. Gouvernement territorial comparé
8. Séminaire de lectures : L’action publique (Administration et politiques publiques en Europe).
   

 

Lectures provide a broad structure for each subject, introduce key concepts, and convey relevant up-to-date information. These are outlined in course syllabi.

Seminars provide an opportunity to ask questions and discuss key ideas in a small group environment. Their purpose is to assist you to integrate the information and ideas you receive from lectures and readings and to explore issues critically and in depth. Seminars are kept small and usually average between 12-15 students. This is designed to give you ample opportunity to participate and to provide close contact between you and members of the academic staff.

Different seminar formats are used. Set questions and readings form the basis for discussion by directing your attention to relevant aspects of the subject matter and to various types of sources of information. Giving presentations develops your capacity to gather, organise and synthesise relevant information and ideas and to communicate these in a logical and concise manner. Tutor-led and student-led discussion hones logical skills and gives you practice in applying different concepts, theories and methods to the subject-matter at hand. It also exposes you to different interpretations of political ideas and events. Group problem-solving helps to develop collaborative skills.

Essays and examinations are used not only for assessment purposes but also as a means of developing your capacities to gather, organise, evaluate and deploy relevant information and ideas from a variety of sources in reasoned arguments. Prior advice and written feedback (for essays) are used to help you understand what is required.

Dissertation

The optional final-year dissertation provides you with the opportunity to investigate a specific topic of interest to you in depth and thereby develop your capacities to apply different concepts, theories and methods to the analysis of political questions; acquire detailed knowledge about a particular area of politics; use your initiative in the collection and presentation of material; and present a clear, cogent argument and draw appropriate conclusions.

Pastoral Care

You will be allocated a personal tutor for the entire period you are at the University. Personal tutors are members of the academic staff who are available to students seeking advice, guidance and help.

 

Politics at Cardiff School of European Languages, Translation and Politics received excellent ratings for both teaching outcomes and teaching delivery in the National Audit of University Teaching Quality.

Typical A-level Offer	AAB-BBB including an A in French and B in one social science/history subject. (General Studies is not accepted)
Typical WBQ Offer	A pass in the Welsh Bacc is accepted as the equivalent of the third A2 level, ie the lowest of the 3 A2s required in the standard offer
Typical Int Bacc Offer	Considered on individual merit
Other	Applications from those offering alternative qualifications are welcome. Please see detailed admissions and selection criteria for more information.

A list of commonly accepted alternative entry qualifications and admissions and selection criteria for this degree programme can be read here.