International Relations (with integrated year studying abroad)

Why study International Relations at Aberystwyth?

• You will be taught in the world’s first department of international politics. It was founded in 1919 after the end of World War I in order to better understand the causes of war, and to promote a more peaceful world.
• During your course, you will have the opportunity to participate in our renowned ‘International Crisis Game’. This is a three-day role-playing exercise in political, economic and diplomatic manoeuvre, where you will develop negotiation and communication, critical thinking, team-work, and problem-solving skills.
• The study abroad element will enable you to choose to study in one of our partner Universities; we have a number of these in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia. Your year abroad will spent during your third year, and you will return to complete your degree in the fourth (and final) year.
• We operate a prestigious Parliamentary Placement Scheme, enabling you to gain valuable experience working alongside an MP (House of Commons, Westminster) or an AM (National Assembly for Wales, Cardiff) for a period of 4-6 weeks during the summer. During this time, you will write reports and speeches, undertake research projects, and respond to constituency issues. There may be further opportunities for you to get involved in elections and various international issues.
• We are also home to Interstate, the oldest student-run international politics journal in the United Kingdom. This is a unique opportunity for you to publish your work or gain valuable experience working as part of the editorial team. The student-run International Politics Society organises a busy and varied programme of political debates, visiting speakers, conferences and workshops, alongside numerous social activities such as an annual ball.
• In addition, we offer a number of degree schemes and modules taught entirely or partially through the medium of Welsh. Click the module tab to find out more about the modules on this course, and go to the 'Studying through the medium of Welsh' page for further information in general.

Our Staff

Lecturers in the Department of International Politics are all research active and qualified to PhD level, and most also have a PGCHE.

Employability is embedded within all courses provided by us. Our degrees provide a solid foundation for a vast array of careers across a range of sectors. The study year abroad element will also demonstrate to your future employers that you're willing to take on new challenges and able to adapt to new environments; this will make you stand out from the crowd.

Upon successful completion of the year abroad, students return with increased self- confidence, and a more mature and informed outlook on the world. In a rapidly shifting global economy, our graduates are adaptable and able to draw on a range of transferable skills, ensuring that they are always in demand.

The skill sets include:

• effective problem solving and creative thinking skills
• information technology skills
• the ability to work independently and as part of a team
• time-management and organisational skills
• communication skills, both written and oral
• self-motivation and self-reliance.

What opportunities are there for me after I complete my degree?

Here is an example of what some of our graduates are doing: Politics-related professions such as those found in the civil service, local and national government, international organisations, non-profit and non-governmental organisations (NGO) sectors, and the armed forces.

Our graduates have also pursued positions in journalism, the financial sector, the legal profession, business or teaching.