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Top 5 reasons to do an International Relations degree

Top 5 reasons to do an International Relations degree

We live in an era of dynamic global change. Today’s global security and development environment is also rapidly-evolving. This places greater focus on International Relations, and the importance of understanding and effectively addressing these global changes.

An International Relations degree will give you the in-depth knowledge and skills you need to navigate and critically analyse these changes and developments, as well as empower you to face the global challenges in today’s complex field of International Relations.

Here are the top 5 reasons to do an International Relations degree:

1. Gain a deeper understanding of today’s global issues and their impacts

The global issues and challenges we face as a society today are increasingly complex and rapidly-evolving – pandemics, wars and climate change are just some examples of these.

It’s therefore essential that International Relations professionals have an in-depth critical understanding of these global issues and today’s global security and development environment to be able to effectively address them and meet the challenges they present.

An International Relations degree will equip you with this in-depth essential knowledge and understanding to help ensure your success as an International Relations professional.

2. Make an impact and a real difference in the world

We face a wide range of global security and development issues in our world today – some with devastating impacts to populations and communities.

With an International Relations degree, you’ll be able to master ways to effectively analyse research methodologies and techniques in the field and apply them across a range of real-world scenarios to help address these global issues.

This means you’ll have the knowledge, insights and skills to be able to have a tangible impact and make a real difference in the world.

3. Access a vast range of global career opportunities across a variety of sectors

As global issues and challenges, as well as security and developmental politics, become increasingly complex, the demand for highly-skilled International Relations professionals in this fast-growing field continues to increase.

With an International Relations degree, you’ll be qualified to embark on a meaningful career in International Relations, or to advance your career in International Relations, and apply for a vast range of global career opportunities, including roles within:

  • Governments

  • Development agencies

  • NGOs

  • International organisations

4. Acquire valuable transferrable skills that will help to ensure your success throughout your career

With an International Relations degree, you’ll acquire a range of transferrable skills that will prove to be valuable throughout your career in International Relations and firmly position you as an in-demand International Relations professional within the global job market. These skills include:

  • Critical analysis skills

  • Advanced communication skills

  • Diplomacy skills

  • In-depth research skills

  • Skills to effectively identify risks and threats to security

5. Focus on an area you’re passionate about and that you want to work in with a dissertation

When you study for an International Relations degree, particularly a masters in International Relations, you’ll have the opportunity to complete a dissertation in your area of choice within the field.

Your dissertation is an in-depth body of research work that you’ll be able to work on independently, with the support of your supervisor. It will give you the opportunity to put the learnings you gained throughout your studies into practice and hone them in on an area you want to focus on in your career.

Perhaps you want to focus on a global region of strategic importance, such as the Middle East, Europe, or Asia, and explore in-depth a facet of the internal political and geopolitical dynamics of this region. Or, perhaps you want to focus in-depth on another specific area of global security and developmental politics.

Whatever your interest in the field, a masters in International Relations will give you the opportunity to explore your passion and produce a dissertation that you can be proud of, and that will form a solid starting point or addition to your professional portfolio.

If you want to embark on a meaningful career in International Relations where you can make a real impact and difference, or advance your career in International Relations, discover how University of Plymouth’s MA International Relations: Security and Development will empower you to become a highly-skilled and successful International Relations professional.

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