Business and International Relations

Business and international relations is a combination that addresses how organisations operate in a world shaped by geopolitics, regulation, diplomacy and the complex relationships between states. Business management equips you to understand how firms are structured, how strategy is formulated, how resources are allocated and how decisions are made in competitive environments. International relations provides the political and institutional framework for understanding the global context in which those decisions are made, including how alliances, conflicts, international law and multilateral institutions shape the rules and conditions of commerce.

At Aston University, this four-year full-time programme includes a year abroad, giving you an international dimension to your education that is directly relevant to the subject matter of the degree. You will develop a strong foundation in management principles and business concepts, including strategic decision-making, alongside a deep engagement with the major issues in international affairs, including theories of international relations, security studies and international political economy. The programme develops your analytical, research and professional skills in ways that directly prepare you for careers at the intersection of business and global politics.

Graduates from business and international relations programmes pursue careers across multinational corporations, international organisations, government, consultancy, the diplomatic service, NGOs, financial institutions and the media. The combination of commercial understanding and political analysis is particularly valued in organisations operating across borders and navigating complex geopolitical environments. Many graduates go on to postgraduate study in international business, international relations, law or global affairs, deepening their expertise and opening more senior professional roles.