International Politics

International politics examines the relationships between states, international institutions, non-state actors, and the structures of power that shape global affairs. It asks why wars begin and end, how international cooperation is possible, what drives global economic inequality, and how norms of human rights, environmental responsibility, and sovereignty are contested and defended. These questions have never been more pressing, and the discipline draws on political science, history, law, and economics to address them with analytical rigour.

At the University of Stirling, this four-year full-time programme with a year abroad gives you a thorough grounding in the theory and practice of international politics. You will engage with the major theoretical frameworks of the discipline, including realism, liberalism, constructivism, and critical theories, and apply them to contemporary issues of security, diplomacy, development, and governance. The year abroad broadens your perspective and gives you the opportunity to engage with political science as it is understood in a different national context.

Graduates of international politics programmes pursue careers in diplomacy, the civil service, international organisations, think tanks, NGOs, journalism, policy research, and international business. The analytical and writing skills developed by the degree are valued across a wide range of professional contexts, from law and consultancy to the media and the voluntary sector. Many graduates go on to postgraduate study in international relations, security studies, public policy, or related disciplines, where the theoretical foundations and empirical knowledge developed at undergraduate level provide an excellent preparation.