Economics and International Relations

Economics and international relations are disciplines that belong together. The global economy does not operate in a political vacuum: trade agreements, sanctions, development finance, migration and the governance of international institutions all reflect political choices made by states and by international organisations. Equally, international relations cannot be fully understood without grasping the economic incentives, constraints and interdependencies that shape state behaviour.

Studying them jointly gives you a richer understanding of how the world actually works than either could provide alone.

At Queen Mary University of London, this four-year full-time programme develops your grounding in economic theory and quantitative methods alongside a substantive engagement with international politics, global governance and the history of international relations. You will learn to analyse economic policy, model behaviour and interpret data, while also studying theories of international order, the role of institutions and the dynamics of conflict and cooperation between states. Queen Mary's location in London, a major centre of international finance, diplomacy and policy, gives the programme a distinctive context, and its research strengths in both disciplines inform the curriculum.

Graduates from economics and international relations programmes are well placed for careers in international economic policy, the civil service and diplomatic service, multilateral organisations such as the UN, IMF or World Bank, development agencies, financial services, consultancy, think tanks and journalism. The analytical rigour that comes from combining economics with political science is valued by employers who need people able to make sense of complex global dynamics. Postgraduate study in economics, international relations, public policy or law is also a natural progression for those wanting to specialise further.