International Relations and Tourism
Combining international relations with tourism might seem unexpected, but the pairing reflects a genuine intellectual connection. International relations examines the forces that shape global affairs: how states interact, how conflicts arise and are resolved, how international organisations function, and how economic, cultural and environmental pressures play out across national boundaries. Tourism, as one of the world's largest industries, sits directly at the intersection of many of these forces, crossing borders, redistributing wealth, raising questions about cultural exchange and environmental sustainability, and creating dependencies between economies at vastly different levels of development.
At Liverpool Hope University you will study international relations through the lenses of history, sociology, anthropology, media, law and economics, developing a genuinely interdisciplinary understanding of global politics. Alongside this you will explore the structure and dynamics of the tourism industry, including destination management, sustainable tourism practice, consumer behaviour and the economic and social impacts of tourism on host communities. The programme runs full time over three years and includes a placement year, a year abroad and work-placement experience, giving you substantial opportunity to apply your learning in real-world settings and to develop the international perspective that employers in both fields value highly.
You will develop skills in political analysis, research methods, cross-cultural communication and business awareness, all of which are relevant to careers in an internationally oriented sector.
Graduates move into careers in international organisations, government departments dealing with trade, culture or development, the tourism and hospitality industry, event management, journalism and non-governmental organisations. The combination of international awareness and industry knowledge is also valuable in roles bridging public policy and the travel sector. Postgraduate study in international relations, development studies, tourism management or business is a common route for those wanting to deepen their expertise.