International Relations

International Relations examines how states, international organisations, non-state actors and global forces interact across borders, and how questions of power, security, cooperation, justice and order are managed in the absence of a single global authority. It is a discipline of considerable intellectual breadth, drawing on history, economics, political theory, law and sociology to understand the forces that shape the international system, from the dynamics of great power competition and nuclear strategy to the negotiations over climate change, the management of refugees and the operations of international trade.

At Swansea University, this full-time three-year programme addresses the central questions of how states cope with the changing nature of conflicts and new threats to security, how peaceful relations between peoples and states are maintained and strengthened, and what role international institutions can play alongside state actors in a complex and interconnected world. You will develop the analytical frameworks and empirical knowledge needed to engage seriously with contemporary international affairs, building the research skills, critical thinking and written communication capabilities that careers in international and policy fields demand.

International Relations graduates go on to careers in diplomacy, the civil service and foreign service, international organisations, journalism, policy research, think tanks, NGOs, international development, security and intelligence, academia, law and the private sector. The analytical skills and global awareness the degree develops are also valued in international business, consulting and financial services. Many graduates pursue postgraduate study in international relations, security studies, international law, development studies or area studies, building specialist expertise that supports careers at the most demanding levels of international affairs.