# Study International Relations in the UK — universities, entry and careers

> UK International Relations degrees open careers in diplomacy, policy, NGOs, journalism and beyond.

International Relations (IR) studies global politics, security, diplomacy, international law and political economy, and is offered by many strong UK departments — several of them world-leading. It is an essay-based social science with no fixed subject prerequisites, though essay subjects and a strong personal statement help. International tuition typically runs from around £18,000 to £32,000 a year. Graduates work in diplomacy, international organisations, NGOs, policy, consultancy and journalism. Confirm fees and entry requirements with each university.

## Quick facts
- **Typical offer:** AAA–BBB (varies; essay subjects valued)
- **Intl. tuition:** ≈ £18,000–£32,000 / year
- **Study style:** Essay-based; debate, analysis and writing

## Key takeaways
- IR covers global politics, security, diplomacy, international law and political economy.
- It is essay-based with no fixed subject prerequisites — but essay subjects help.
- International tuition is typically around £18,000–£32,000 a year.
- Careers span diplomacy, the UN and NGOs, policy, consultancy, risk analysis and journalism.

## What a UK International Relations degree covers
International Relations examines how states, international organisations and non-state actors interact: theories of world politics, security and conflict, diplomacy, international political economy, international law, human rights and global governance. Many UK programmes combine IR with Politics, Economics, History or a language, and some offer a year abroad. It is a reading- and essay-intensive discipline that rewards clear argument, analytical thinking and an interest in current affairs — the UK is home to several of the world's most respected IR departments.

## Entry, careers and choosing the right department
Offers typically range from AAA to BBB, with no fixed subject requirement, though essay-based subjects (History, Politics, English) and a focused personal statement strengthen an application. Graduates pursue careers in diplomacy and foreign services, international organisations such as the UN, NGOs, political risk and consultancy, journalism, policy and further academic study. Because departments differ in their theoretical emphasis and regional specialisms, fit matters. Study UK Now matches your interests and profile to the departments where you will thrive and be competitive.

## Frequently asked questions
### What can you do with an International Relations degree from the UK?
Graduates work in diplomacy and foreign services, international organisations (such as the UN and its agencies), NGOs and charities, political risk and management consultancy, journalism, policy roles and further academic research. The analytical, writing and cross-cultural skills are highly transferable. With the Graduate Route (post-study work) visa, UK IR graduates can also gain post-study work experience — confirm current rules on GOV.UK.

### Do I need specific A-levels for International Relations in the UK?
Usually not — most UK IR programmes have no fixed subject requirements, though essay-based subjects such as History, Politics, Economics or English strengthen an application, and some competitive departments prefer them. A strong, well-argued personal statement matters a great deal. Study UK Now maps each department's specific requirements for your shortlist.

## Sources
- [UCAS — Politics subject guide](https://www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/politics) — UCAS

Canonical: https://studyuknow.com/subjects/international-relations
Verified: 2026-06-16