Politics and International Relations
Politics and international relations are disciplines that share a deep preoccupation with power: how it is acquired, exercised, contested, and distributed, both within states and across the international system. Politics examines the structures and processes of government, the formation and implementation of policy, the dynamics of electoral competition and ideological conflict, and the theoretical frameworks through which political life has been understood and evaluated across history. International relations extends this analysis to the global stage, examining how states interact, what drives cooperation and conflict between them, and what role international institutions, law, and norms play in shaping the international order.
At Newcastle University, this three-year full-time degree develops both disciplines across a programme that includes considerable opportunities for professional development. A sandwich year with work placement provides direct professional experience connected to the degree, while the option of a year abroad extends your comparative understanding of political systems and international relationships through direct engagement with another academic and cultural environment. Work placement experience is embedded in the programme, giving you the kind of applied, real-world exposure that employers consistently value in social science graduates.
Throughout the degree you will develop analytical, research, and communication skills that are highly transferable across the sectors where politics and international relations graduates typically work.
The career destinations of politics and international relations graduates are exceptionally diverse. Common pathways include roles in the civil service, foreign affairs, international organisations, NGOs, think tanks, political parties, local government, journalism, the legal professions, management consultancy, and the private sector. The capacity to analyse complex information, understand institutional processes, and communicate clearly about political and policy questions is valued by employers across public, private, and third sectors.
Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in politics, international relations, public policy, international law, or security studies, building the specialist depth needed for senior roles in these fields.