International relations

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

• Civil Service fast streamer
• Diplomatic service officer
• Government social research officer
• Intelligence analyst
• International aid/development worker
• Policy officer
• Political risk analyst
• Public affairs consultant

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Armed Forces operational officer
• Border Force officer
• Broadcast journalist
• External auditor
• Higher education lecturer
• Risk manager
• Solicitor

Remember that many employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

Work experience

Relevant work experience can help you explore career options and show employers how you apply your skills. Look for internships, placements, volunteering and part-time work in the UK or overseas.

Intergovernmental organisations (IGOs), such as the United Nations, offer volunteering, internships and traineeships. The UN also runs a Young Professionals Programme for eligible applicants seeking a career with the UN Secretariat. Eligibility and participating countries change, so check the current requirements before applying.

Language skills can be valuable in international relations careers. You can develop them through your degree, additional courses, or work, study and travel abroad.

Charities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) may also offer volunteering and paid experience. Research smaller organisations as well as major employers and consider speculative applications.

For media careers, gain experience through a student newspaper, blog, podcast or online publication. For areas such as business, law or teaching, seek experience that is relevant to the role and demonstrates your interest.

Search for placements and find out more about work experience and internships.

Typical employers

International relations graduates work across the private, public and voluntary sectors, for:

• banks and financial services organisations
• charities
• intergovernmental organisations (IGOs), such as the UN, UNICEF and the World Bank
• international businesses
• law firms
• local and national government
• media organisations
• non-governmental organisations (NGOs), such as Greenpeace, Médecins Sans Frontières and Oxfam

If you want to use your degree directly, explore roles in government departments such as the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The FCDO recruits for policy, diplomatic and development work in the UK and overseas.

Find information on employers in public services and administration, charity and voluntary work, and other job sectors.

Skills for your CV

An international relations degree helps you understand how power, governance, conflict and cooperation shape relationships within and between countries.

You explore how politics, economics, law, security, society and culture influence global issues. You also learn to compare perspectives, assess evidence and communicate informed arguments.

You also gain skills in:

• communication - explaining complex ideas clearly in writing, presentations and discussions
• critical and independent thinking - analysing evidence, building arguments and considering possible solutions
• data handling - gathering, organising, interpreting and presenting information
• digital skills - using technology to research and present information and data
• ethical awareness - considering how information is gathered, used and presented
• intercultural and global awareness - understanding different perspectives and working across cultures
• teamwork - contributing to projects, discussions and group presentations
• time management - planning independent study, meeting deadlines and reflecting on your progress.

Further study

You may choose a Masters degree to deepen your knowledge of international relations or specialise in an area such as diplomacy, global governance, regional studies or security studies. A postgraduate course can support your career plans when it develops relevant knowledge, research skills, language ability or professional experience.

Other options include international development, law, public policy and business. You could also consider cyber security if you are interested in technology and international security. Research course content, entry requirements, funding and graduate outcomes before you apply.

Professional training may be more suitable if you want to move into careers such as:

• human resources
• journalism
• law
• teaching.

Check the entry requirements for the role you are considering before choosing a course.

For more information on further study and to find a course that interests you, see Masters degrees and search postgraduate courses in international relations.

What do international relations graduates do?

The five most commonly reported occupations of international relations graduates are:

• public relations professionals (4%)
• sales and retail assistants (4%)
• business, research and administrative professionals (4%)
• advertising and marketing associate professionals (3%)
• national government administrative occupations (3%).

For a breakdown of what international relations graduates are doing after graduation, see What do graduates do?

Graduate Outcomes survey data from HESA.

Find out more

• Learn more about EU Careers.
• Take a look at United Nations careers.
• Discover what working for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) involves.
• Gain an insight into working for the Department for International Trade (DIT).