International Relations and Sustainable Development

International relations and sustainable development is a combination that connects the study of how the world's states and institutions interact with the urgent practical questions of how the planet's resources, climate, and ecosystems can be managed for the long-term benefit of all people. International relations explores the origins of conflict and peace, the making of foreign policy, trade regimes, human rights, international law, and the dynamics of global political and economic development. Sustainable development asks how societies can meet their needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs, drawing on environmental science, economics, politics, and ethics.

At the University of St Andrews, this four-year MA (Hons) programme brings together two disciplines that are in practice deeply intertwined: the environmental and development challenges of the twenty-first century can only be addressed through the kind of international cooperation, institutional design, and political understanding that the international relations component develops. You will study the theoretical and empirical dimensions of both fields, examining issues such as climate negotiations, global trade and poverty, the governance of the commons, and the political economy of development. A year abroad is built into the programme, giving you the opportunity to study at an international partner institution and gain first-hand experience of a different cultural and academic environment.

Graduates from this combination are well placed for careers in international organisations, government, NGOs, development agencies, environmental consultancy, and policy research. Roles in diplomacy, multilateral negotiations, climate policy, and sustainable finance are all natural destinations for graduates who combine political analysis with environmental and developmental understanding. Many go on to postgraduate study in international relations, environmental policy, development studies, or global governance, deepening their expertise for specialist or leadership roles in these fields.