International Relations

International relations is the study of how states, international organisations, non-governmental actors and global forces interact in a world where the most important challenges, from climate change and nuclear proliferation to migration and pandemic disease, do not respect national borders. It draws on political science, history, economics, philosophy and law to examine the structures of the international system, the behaviour of states, the role of multilateral institutions, the causes of conflict and the conditions for cooperation. Understanding how the world is governed, or fails to be governed, is the central preoccupation of the discipline.

At Nottingham Trent University this three-year full-time programme takes you through the major theoretical traditions in international relations, from realism and liberalism to constructivism and critical approaches, developing the analytical frameworks you need to engage rigorously with global affairs. You will examine the history of the international system, the workings of institutions such as the United Nations and European Union, the politics of security and conflict, global political economy, and contemporary issues in world politics including human rights, environmental governance and the changing distribution of global power. The programme includes a sandwich year and work placement opportunities, giving you professional experience in a relevant organisation alongside your academic studies and making your application significantly more competitive in a sought-after field.

Graduates go on to work in the civil service, international organisations, diplomatic services, NGOs, journalism, think tanks, international business, development organisations and humanitarian work. The capacity for informed, critical engagement with global affairs, combined with research, analytical and communication skills, is valued across a wide range of sectors. Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in international relations, security studies, development, human rights or law.

The placement experience built into this programme strengthens your professional credentials at a point when standing out in a competitive field matters.