International Relations

International Relations is the academic discipline concerned with how states, international organisations, non-governmental actors and global forces interact across borders, and with the questions of war, peace, cooperation, justice and power that define the international system. It addresses some of the most pressing challenges of the contemporary world, from nuclear stability and climate change negotiations to global inequality, migration and the resilience of international institutions. Studying international relations develops your ability to think critically and analytically about complex global processes, to evaluate evidence and competing explanations, and to engage seriously with questions that have major implications for human welfare.

At Aberystwyth University, which established the world's first Department of International Politics, this four-year full-time programme includes an integrated year studying abroad, providing direct international exposure that enriches your academic understanding and personal development. You will engage with the foundational theories of international relations alongside the empirical realities of contemporary world politics, developing the research skills, analytical capabilities and global awareness that careers in international affairs demand. The year abroad gives you experience of studying in a different national and academic context, strengthening the comparative perspective that international relations as a discipline prizes.

International Relations graduates go on to careers in the civil service and diplomatic service, international organisations such as the United Nations and European Union, journalism, think tanks, NGOs, international development, security and intelligence, academia and political risk consultancy. The degree's emphasis on critical thinking and global awareness also makes graduates attractive to international businesses, law firms with international practices and policy research organisations. Many graduates pursue postgraduate study in international relations, international law, security studies or public policy, and the degree provides a strong foundation for doctoral research in international affairs.