International Relations
International relations is the study of how states, international organisations, non-governmental organisations, and other actors interact on the global stage, examining the forces that produce cooperation, conflict, and change in the international system. It draws on political science, history, economics, and law to analyse questions including war and peace, diplomacy and foreign policy, international trade, global governance, development, and the distribution of power between nations. It is a discipline of immediate and continuous relevance: the international system is constantly producing new crises, alliances, and transformations that the theoretical frameworks of international relations help us understand.
At Royal Holloway, University of London this three-year full-time programme covers the central themes of the discipline, including war and security, diplomacy and development, globalisation and global power relations, communication and resistance, and international political economy. You will engage with both the theoretical traditions of international relations, from realism and liberalism to constructivism and critical theory, and the empirical study of specific regions, conflicts, and institutions. The programme includes a sandwich year, a year abroad, and work placement opportunities, giving you the professional experience and international perspective that are particularly valuable in a discipline concerned with global affairs.
Graduates from international relations programmes work in the foreign service and diplomatic corps, international organisations, think tanks and research institutes, journalism, non-governmental organisations, international business, and the public sector. The combination of analytical thinking, knowledge of international affairs, and cross-cultural awareness the degree develops is valued across any career that involves working across national and institutional boundaries. Many graduates also continue to postgraduate study in international relations, security studies, development, or international law, developing specialist expertise for research or professional careers in global affairs.