Study International Relations & International Studies in the UK

What is International Relations?

International Relations, sometimes called International Studies, is a branch of Political Science that examines the role of states, international alliances, NGOs and multinational companies in an increasingly globalised world. International Relations (IR) deals with issues like sovereignty, environmentalism, development and human rights in the context of global affairs and is also concerned with the policies of individual states as far as they impact on the affairs of other states. International Relations as an academic discipline originated in the UK at Aberystwyth University in 1919. Today, UK universities are world-renowned for their IR degrees.

Why Study International Relations?

Studying International Relations at a UK university will give you a great starting point for a career in research, journalism, social policy or development, to name but a few, as IR teaches you how to unravel the complex and often invisible network of factors that means events in one part of the globe can have unlikely consequences in another. International Relations will help you develop highly sought-after skills that can be applied to any career, including:

Research skills
Critical analysis skills
Scientific method
Cross-cultural awareness

Why Study International Relations at a UK University?

There are numerous very good reasons for choosing to study International Relations at a UK university rather than elsewhere in the world. First of all, the UK has a longer history of university education than any other English-speaking country, with the oldest institutions dating back around one thousand years. It was also the birthplace of International Relations as an academic subject after World War I. This means that students of International Relations at a UK university will have access to the best quality education available, with UK universities consistently ranking in the world top 100. Secondly, anyone interested in the work of Inter- and Non-Governmental Organisations will find the UK a convenient place to be, with a large number of such organisations based in the country. Most major UK cities are also linked by train to Brussels and the headquarters of the European Union. In addition, there is no better place than the UK to perfect your command of English, the international language of commerce and diplomacy. Finally, UK courses are very well-constructed, allowing the student to complete a Bachelors degree in three years (compared to four years in the US) and a Masters degree in one year (compared to two years in the US). What this means for the student is that graduates of a International Relations degree from a UK university save huge and valuable amounts of both time and money.

Which Careers Can International Relations Lead to?

After graduating from an International Relations course at a UK university you will have a huge range of employment opportunities. An International Relations degree can lead to lifelong employment in the civil service or a career as an analyst or policy advisor for the numerous organisations that require IR expertise. Graduates seeking jobs with NGOs will find that a degree in International Relations from a UK university gives them a significant advantage over the competition for these heavily over-subscribed positions. Graduates in International Relations may also want to use their expertise to build a career in business, journalism, politics or activism. In any profession, an employer will value an UK university International Relations graduate’s research and analysis skills.