International Relations
International relations is the study of how states, international organisations, non-governmental actors, and other forces interact in a world that is politically divided but economically, culturally, and environmentally interdependent. It asks why wars happen and how they end, how international institutions are built and sustained, how global trade and finance are organised, what drives migration and humanitarian crises, and how power and ideas shape the behaviour of actors on the world stage. The discipline draws on political science, history, economics, law, and philosophy, and it demands both analytical rigour and a genuine curiosity about the world beyond national borders.
Richmond, the American International University in London, offers this four-year programme with a foundation year, a sandwich year with a work placement, and a year abroad, giving you an exceptionally wide range of structured experiences alongside the academic content. The foundation year builds the skills and contextual knowledge needed for degree-level study. The programme that follows covers international relations theory, global political economy, comparative politics, human rights, conflict and security, and international law.
Richmond's distinctively international student body and its American university model, combining breadth of study with depth in your major, create an environment that reflects the global scope of the subject itself. The year abroad deepens your international perspective, and the sandwich placement gives you direct professional experience in a field related to your studies.
Graduates from international relations programmes go into careers across the public, private, and voluntary sectors. The diplomatic service, international organisations such as the United Nations and the European Union, and bodies working on development, humanitarian response, and conflict resolution are natural destinations. Roles in government, policy analysis, and public affairs draw on the analytical and communication skills developed during the degree.
International journalism, advocacy, human rights law, and NGO work are further paths. Business careers in international trade, finance, and consultancy also value graduates with a sophisticated understanding of the global political economy. Postgraduate study in international relations, international law, global governance, or related fields is a common route for those seeking to specialise.