Politics & International Relations

Politics and international relations is a discipline that examines how power is organised and exercised, both within states and in the relationships between them. Politics focuses on the institutions, processes, and ideas through which governance operates, asking how governments are formed and how they function, why people and groups behave as they do in political contexts, and how public policy is made, contested, and implemented. International relations extends this inquiry to the global level, examining how states interact, what role international institutions play, how conflicts arise and are resolved, and what drives the global economic, security, and environmental challenges that no single country can address alone.

At Northeastern University London, you will study politics and international relations over three years of full-time study. Northeastern's distinctive educational philosophy, which emphasises the integration of academic learning with professional and global experience, shapes the programme's approach. The curriculum covers political theory and the major traditions of thinking about political life, comparative politics examining different governmental systems and political cultures, international relations theory, the institutions and processes of global governance, and thematic areas such as security, development, human rights, and global political economy.

London's position as a global city provides a rich context for the study of international affairs, with access to diplomatic institutions, international organisations, policy think tanks, and a globally diverse student and faculty community.

Graduates from politics and international relations programmes enter careers across public life, international organisations, policy, and the private sector. Diplomacy and the foreign service, international organisations, NGOs working on global challenges, and roles in government policy and public affairs are natural destinations. Journalism, political communications, and research roles in think tanks and academic institutions draw on the analytical and writing skills the degree develops.

International business, finance, and consultancy value the global awareness and political understanding that the degree provides. Many graduates pursue further study at master's level in international relations, public policy, law, or related fields. The combination of political analysis, international perspective, and strong communication skills is broadly valued across many professional contexts.