International Relations and History with Placement Year

International relations and history are disciplines that illuminate each other in important ways. History provides the depth, context and analytical rigour needed to understand how the world came to be as it is, while international relations supplies the theoretical frameworks and contemporary methods to interpret how states, institutions and non-state actors behave in the present. Together they offer a powerful lens on global affairs, past and present.

This four-year programme at Brunel University London combines both approaches, training you to use the latest methods in international relations scholarship alongside deep historical knowledge.

You will explore world history across different periods and regions, examining the forces that have shaped international order, conflict, trade and diplomacy over time. Alongside this you will study current theoretical approaches to international relations, including questions of security, power, governance, and global institutions, using quantitative and qualitative methods to analyse contemporary affairs. The programme includes a placement year, giving you professional experience in a relevant setting such as a policy organisation, think-tank, international body, or public sector role, which strengthens both your CV and your understanding of how the ideas you study apply in practice.

Graduates typically pursue careers in government, the civil service, diplomacy, international organisations, journalism, policy research, NGOs and the charity sector. The analytical and research skills developed through this degree are also valued in law, finance, consulting and business roles with international dimensions. Further study is a common route, with many graduates going on to master's degrees or doctoral research in international relations, history, security studies, or related fields.