International Relations (Hons) Manchester Metropolitan University

Overview

An International Relations (Hons) course from Manchester Metropolitan University will help you to gain appreciation of how states, international organisations, and non-state actors interact on the global stage. This takes place at all levels, from individuals to whole global systems, and understanding this allows us to question what we think we know, what we think matters, and how we can develop a better world. Supported by knowledgeable and passionate staff, you’ll start by looking at the core critical and emancipatory theories of International Relations and their underlying methods.

You’ll get a broad grounding in the key issues of today’s world and the contested historical development of world politics; studying topics informed by staff research such as terrorism, security studies, human rights, cultural politics, and many others. 

A wide variety of options means that you can pursue your own interests – with things becoming increasingly flexible as you progress through the course, and in your final year, you will engage more directly with current academic debates and contemporary political developments.

We place a heavy emphasis on employability and offer valuable practical skills training, including advanced analytical approaches, which many employers look for when offering placement opportunities. This, alongside the possible opportunity to study abroad – with all the experience that it brings – means that an International Relations degree opens doors to a range of interesting and rewarding career possibilities.

Career

Most international relations graduates go straight into employment and/or further study. Previous graduates have gone into a variety of careers in the public sector (housing and education departments in councils, the police, the military), government social research roles, utilities, the financial sector, recruitment, journalism, media, non-governmental organisations, charities, development work, teaching, the law and academic research.

There is also the opportunity to engage in further study and professional training, for example some of our graduates go on to study MA International Relations and Global Communications, where we have a growing, innovative research cluster focusing on digital society and culture.