Options with politics and international relations
You will gain a clear understanding of domestic and international politics and will study organisations such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU). This will help equip you with a solid understanding of the issues involved in international relations and the significance of politics as a global activity.
You will also acquire many useful transferable skills including the ability to research, source and examine information thoroughly, critically analyse evidence and construct coherent arguments in order to present your own strong and cohesive point of view. A major feature of this course is the excellent written and oratory skills you will develop.
Depending on the institution and course arrangements, you may also gain additional skills from work experience carried out on a placement or during a sandwich year.
Politics courses focus on the theory and application of politics, and integrate economic, historical, philosophical and sociological arguments to the debate. You will learn about different political systems and how to interpret political issues and events.
Studying a degree in politics and international relations opens up many career opportunities; as well as political and international roles, many graduates enter other professions such as publishing, journalism, banking and teaching. It also forms a highly suitable foundation for postgraduate study.
Involvement in voluntary organisations, campaigning groups or student societies demonstrates to potential employers that you are committed and determined. Building your profile by volunteering or applying for internships can also give you a competitive advantage - particularly in the international arena.
There are a variety of opportunities for politics and international relations graduates to gain valuable experience. Consider volunteering for political campaigns and political parties, human and civil rights organisations like Amnesty International , local, national and international environmental and conservation organisations, charities, global development organisations such as WaterAid and Oxfam , and the Citizens Advice Bureau . Organisations like campaigning or pressure groups or UK-based charities with an international presence would be particularly suitable for those wishing to pursue an international career.
If you are still a student, consider running for office in your university students’ union or gaining volunteering experience through the university community. Pursuing such roles demonstrates initiative and can provide good leadership experience and opportunities to develop written and spoken communication skills.
Although some of the jobs listed here might not be first jobs for many graduates, they are among the many realistic possibilities with your degree, provided you can demonstrate you have the attributes employers are looking for. Bear in mind that it’s not just your degree discipline that determines your options. Remember that many graduate vacancies don't specify particular degree disciplines, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here. Look at your degree... what next? for informed advice on career planning and graduate employment, or login/register with My Prospects to find out what jobs would suit you, a helpful starting point for self-analysis.
Explore types of jobs to find out more about the above options and related jobs.
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.
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:
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?
In 2010, six months after graduation, a fifth of politics and international relations graduates had taken up further study, such as Masters courses and PhDs, while another 7% were combining further study with work.
Having a further academic qualification may enhance employability by demonstrating a greater understanding of a specific subject area and equipping you with a broad range of contacts. The research experience of higher academic study may open doors to future work opportunities and will be especially valuable to those wishing to pursue a career as a researcher.
Vocational courses are popular with politics and international relations graduates, particularly courses that qualify graduates to work in careers such as accountancy, journalism, law, management and teaching.
If you are considering further study, you need to think carefully about your motivations, long-term career plan and finances. Will a further qualification enhance your employability? Seek guidance from tutors, a careers adviser, employers and people who have undertaken further study.
These trends show only what previous graduates in your subject did immediately upon graduating. Over the course of their career - the first few years in particular - many others will opt for some form of further study, either part time or full time. If further study interests you, start by thinking about postgraduate study in the UK and search courses and research to identify your options.
For details relating to finance and the application process, look at funding my further study.
