Chinese and International Relations

Chinese and International Relations is a combination that addresses one of the defining features of the contemporary world: the rise of China as a global power and the implications that has for international politics, trade, security, and governance. Mandarin Chinese is the most widely spoken first language in the world, and competence in it, combined with a rigorous understanding of international relations theory and practice, creates a qualification that is increasingly valued in diplomacy, business, and policy.

At the University of Westminster, this three-year, full-time programme develops your Chinese language skills to a level of genuine professional competence while also giving you a thorough grounding in the theories and realities of world politics. You will engage with questions of governance, democracy, and human rights alongside the study of international institutions, foreign policy, and the political economy of the global system. A sandwich placement year is built into the programme, allowing you to spend time in a relevant professional or academic environment, and a year abroad option is also available, which for Chinese language students typically involves immersive study in China or Taiwan.

Work placements are integrated throughout, connecting you with employers where your linguistic and political skills are directly relevant.

Graduates are well-placed for careers in diplomacy, the foreign service, international organisations, NGOs, journalism, trade and investment, and public affairs, particularly in roles that require engagement with China and the Asia-Pacific region. The combination of Mandarin competence and international relations knowledge is comparatively rare and genuinely sought after. Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in international relations, Chinese studies, law, or public policy, deepening their specialism in one of the most consequential areas of contemporary global affairs.