International Relations

International relations is the systematic study of how states, international organisations, and other actors interact across borders, examining the forces that shape conflict, cooperation, diplomacy, trade, and the global governance structures through which humanity attempts to manage shared challenges. From nuclear security and climate change to migration and the resilience of international institutions, the questions the discipline addresses are among the most important of our time. Aberystwyth University is home to the world's first department of international politics, giving it a depth of scholarly tradition unmatched by almost any other institution.

This four-year full-time degree includes an integrated year in industry, grounding your academic study in professional experience.

You will develop the analytical tools to understand world politics at multiple levels, from the domestic politics of individual states and the calculations of foreign policy-makers through to the dynamics of international institutions and the structural forces that shape the international order. The programme encourages you to engage seriously with competing theoretical traditions, understanding why different perspectives lead to different diagnoses and different policy prescriptions. The year in industry gives you the opportunity to apply that analytical thinking in a professional context, whether in an NGO, a government department, an international organisation, or a related setting, and to develop the professional skills and networks that enhance your career prospects after graduation.

A typical entry tariff of 104 UCAS points reflects a broadly accessible admissions standard for an intellectually demanding programme. Graduates from international relations programmes pursue careers in diplomacy and foreign service, international organisations, think tanks and policy research, journalism, international business, the civil service, development and humanitarian organisations, and political communications. Many continue to postgraduate study in international relations, global governance, security studies, or international law.