International Relations (Hons) University of Portsmouth

Overview

Throughout this International Relations (Hons) degree from University of Portsmouth , you’ll learn the skills required to play your part in improving equality and enacting positive change.

And after graduation, you’ll be ready for careers in local and national government, security, tech, intelligence, and with international charities and institutions like the UN.

Career opportunities:

The analytical skills you’ll develop on this course are in demand – your ability to understand complex issues and find solutions to them means that roles across government agencies, NGOs, charities, think tanks and international organisations are all within your reach.

And with technology continuing to develop at a frantic pace, there’s an ever-increasing demand for graduates with the knowledge required to ensure new developments are ethical. 

When you finish the course, our Careers and Employability service can help you find a job that puts your skills and cultural experience to work. 

What can you do with an International Relations degree? 

Graduates from this degree have gone on to careers in the following sectors:

• local and central government 

• embassies

• non-governmental organisations (NGOs)

• security services 

• international organisations, like the United Nations (UN) 

• international charities like War Child, Amnesty International or the Red Cross 

• policy research and think tanks

• media and international business consultancy 

• political risk analysis 

• public relations 

• voluntary organisations 

• management 

• banking and financial services

• tourism 

Placement year (optional)

After your second or third year, you can do an optional work placement year to get valuable longer-term work experience in the industry.

Taking an optional placement year will give you the experience you need to increase your chances of landing your perfect role. We'll give you all the support you need to find a placement that prepares you for your career, and we'll continue to mentor you throughout your placement.

Previous students have been on placements to organisations such as:

• The Ministry of Defence

• The House of Commons

• National Museum of the Royal Navy

• Otra Cosa (Peru)

• SEK International

• Freedom from Torture

• Victim Support London

• Tools for Self Reliance

What jobs can you do with an International Relations degree?

Recent graduates have gone on to roles including:

• director of Language Studies for an international school

• political researcher, Houses of Parliament

• assistant to Member of Parliament

• civil servant, the Cabinet Office

• senior policy advisor, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

• communications officer, House of Commons

• local government administrator, Government of Jersey

• public affairs consultant 

• bilingual consultant 

• multilingual project coordinator 

• translator 

• social researcher 

• information officer 

• conference producer