Politics and international relations: Career areas

While few careers demand a first degree in politics and international relations, there are many careers where this degree is both desirable and useful. This includes politics and government, charity work, journalism, law, social and political research and social work.

A 2012 HESA survey of 2011 graduates revealed that over half of politics and international relations graduates entered employment either in the UK or overseas within six months of graduation. Of those employed, 15.2% took up business and finance roles, 14% found work as commerical, industrial and public sector workers and 11.9% were working in other clerical and secretarial occupations. A further 11.4 were in marketing, sales and advertising. Just under 17% described themselves as working in the retail, catering, and bar industries with the rest mainly in non-specified occupations.

Where are the jobs?

Typical employers of politics and international relations graduates include local and national government, councils, charities, accountancy and banking organisations, law firms, retail and media companies. Further recruiters include the United Nations (UN), the European Commission, the Civil Service, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), lobbying, campaigning, and voluntary organisations and the public sector.

Consider the following sectors for potential job opportunities:

• Public sector - includes the Civil Service (central government) and local and regional government (the public sector).
• Charities and voluntary work - has information on voluntary work and careers with charities, international aid and development organisations.

For further information on possibilities in other employment areas, see job sectors. 

Statistics are collected every year to show what HE students do immediately after graduation. These can be a useful guide but, in reality, because the data is collected within six months of graduation, many graduates are travelling, waiting to start a course, paying off debts, getting work experience or still deciding what they want to do. For further information about some of the areas of employment commonly entered by graduates of any degree discipline, check out What Do Graduates Do?  and your degree...what next?