Economic and Social History and International Relations

Economic and social history combined with international relations is a pairing that brings historical depth to the study of global political affairs. Economic and social history examines how people lived and worked in the past, how economic systems and social structures developed and changed, and how the material conditions of life have shaped the world we inhabit today. International relations analyses the structures, institutions, and dynamics of the contemporary international system, from state power and diplomacy to multilateral governance and global justice.

Together, they develop a genuinely comprehensive perspective on how the world got to where it is and how it continues to be organised.

At the University of Glasgow this four-year programme develops your skills in both disciplines through engagement with the distinctive research traditions each brings. You will study economic and social structures, activities, and experiences across time, examining how the past has shaped the present, alongside the theoretical frameworks and empirical analysis of contemporary international affairs. The programme includes a year abroad, giving you the opportunity to study international history and relations in an international academic context and to bring a comparative perspective to both disciplines.

Graduates from economic and social history and international relations programmes are well placed for careers in the civil service, international organisations, think tanks, journalism, publishing, policy research, and the voluntary and charity sector. The combination of historical understanding, economic literacy, and political analysis is particularly valued by employers in public affairs, development, and organisations that address global social and economic challenges. Many graduates also continue to postgraduate study in economic history, international relations, development studies, or related fields, developing specialist expertise for research or professional careers at the international level.