International relations is the study of relationships between nations and their effects on the world, drawing from a wide range of disciplines including politics, economics, history, and law. Professionals working in this area help create cooperative exchanges between countries that benefit commerce, security, and quality of life.
IR students develop a broad understanding of the issues and events that influence our globalized world, as well as the skills to address them effectively. These are valuable qualities in a variety of globally-oriented careers:
An interdisciplinary field, IR studies are influenced by many academic disciplines, such as political science, geography, sociology, philosophy, and history. There are a few major approaches to the discipline, with some of the most popular being realism and liberalism. Realism advocates that a nation’s most important goal should be to accrue power, while liberalism believes that international cooperation is beneficial to all.
One of the most important skills that you’ll develop as an IR student is cultural sensitivity and awareness. By working alongside people from different cultures, you’ll learn to collaborate successfully with them in both business and personal contexts. This will make you a better leader, improve your career prospects, and give you the opportunity to experience profound personal growth.
A degree in IR provides an excellent foundation for a career in global business, as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs). You could also work for government departments or pursue a career in diplomacy. Many Bachelor programmes include an element of work placement, often overseas, so you can apply your knowledge in a real-world environment.