Studying international relations abroad: programmes, countries and career paths

Short answer: International relations (IR) is an interdisciplinary field combining politics, economics, history and law. Studying IR abroad requires strong language skills, analytical writing and an interest in current affairs. Specialising at master's level (security, energy policy, development, European studies) opens wider career options.

Programme areas

• International relations and diplomacy.
• International security.
• European studies and EU policy.
• Development studies and humanitarian action.
• Energy and geopolitics.
• International political economy.

Choosing a country

• UK: strong politics and IR schools, 1-year master's.
• Belgium: Brussels — close to European institutions and NATO. See: studying in Belgium.
• The Netherlands: The Hague — international law and organisations.
• France and Switzerland: diplomacy and international organisations. See: studying in Switzerland.
• Turkey: regional politics and cultural closeness.

Admission requirements

• Bachelor's: school certificate, a high level of English, motivation letter.
• Master's: a bachelor's in social sciences, law or economics (some programmes accept other fields), an academic writing sample, recommendation letters.
• The essay and motivation letter are often decisive. See: how to write a scholarship essay.

Scholarships

Programmes such as Chevening, Erasmus Mundus and DAAD offer wide opportunities for IR applicants. See: Chevening scholarship.

Careers

Diplomatic service, international organisations, think tanks and research centres, media, and corporate risk and government relations departments are the main paths. Internships and volunteering are especially important here. See: internships abroad.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a second foreign language for IR?

Not mandatory, but French, German, Russian or Arabic is a strong career advantage.

What if my bachelor's was in another field?

Many IR master's programmes accept applicants from various fields; motivation and related experience matter.

Note: admission requirements and scholarship conditions may change. Check the official pages before applying.

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