International Relations and Media

International relations and media is a combination that makes particular sense in an age where global events are experienced primarily through screens and where the relationship between information, power and public opinion has never been more complex. International relations examines how states, international organisations and non-state actors interact, why conflicts arise and how they are managed, and what norms and institutions shape global order. Media studies analyses how news and other content is produced, distributed and consumed, and how media representations shape understanding of the world.

Together they give you the tools to understand both what is happening in the world and how it comes to be understood.

At Aberystwyth University, this three-year full-time programme takes you through the theoretical traditions of international relations alongside the analytical methods of media and communication studies. You will study the history and current state of the international system, the politics of conflict, trade and diplomacy, the economics of global media industries, journalism ethics, propaganda and the role of social media in political communication. The programme develops your capacity for evidence-based argument, critical analysis of media content and a sophisticated understanding of how power operates through both political institutions and communication systems.

Graduates work in journalism, broadcasting, international organisations, NGOs, government communications, public affairs, think tanks, conflict analysis and the cultural and media sectors. The combination of analytical depth in both international affairs and media makes graduates well suited for roles that bridge political understanding and communication, whether in reporting, policy communication or advocacy. Postgraduate study in international relations, journalism, media studies or communications is a natural progression for those who wish to specialise or move into academic research.