International relations is the study of how people, governments, businesses and ideas move across borders. It is a broad field, with opportunities in many different sectors and industries. A degree in international relations gives you skills for a global career, including research, communication, cultural awareness and cross-cultural collaboration. You will develop a strong understanding of international policies and politics, and the interrelationships between states, organisations and individuals.
Whether you want to be involved in fostering cooperation and peace as an diplomat, working with the private sector providing international business advice or coordinating global policy as a government liaison, you will develop a deep understanding of how people, policies, governments and companies interact. You will be able to identify trends, assess the risks and propose solutions that address complex issues.
A range of theoretical approaches are used to explain how and why people act the way they do in international relations. Liberal IR theory, for example, emphasizes that states have a rational interest in cooperating because this can result in positive sum games; that individuals, international organizations and multinational corporations play a crucial role in shaping the world alongside, rather than against, states; and that states are not self-contained, autonomous, unified entities with absolute power over their territory but instead construct themselves to reflect normative positions on human society.
You can also develop a strong foundation for further studies by taking a postgraduate course, such as a Masters in international relations, which can lead to exciting careers in areas like diplomacy and global governance. Alternatively, you might choose to specialise in a particular geographical region or focus on a specific topic such as sustainable development, energy or security.
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