International relations emerged at the beginning of the 20th century as an independent discipline that studies political alliances between European, Asian and Middle Eastern countries. The specialization also focuses on studying the most important global topics such as environmental affairs, economics, security, political systems, and globalization.

Why study international relations? What is international relations, and what are the advantages of studying international relations? Many international students ask these questions. If you are one of them, read this article to know the answers.

What is the international relation?

International relations is a branch of political science that is concerned with studying all phenomena that transcend international borders. This specialization did not exist only to study and analyze political matters; Rather, it is also concerned with various dimensions that include economic, ideological, cultural, and social dimensions.

A major in international relations typically covers topics such as 

• Diplomacy

• International organizations

• Globalization

• Foreign policy

• Security

• Development. 

Advantages of studying International Relations major 

In many international universities, the study of international relations is one of the most important scientific specializations for many reasons including:

• Expanding political perceptions 

• Increasing political awareness among citizens in the country

• Attractive and exciting study content 

• Opportunities to travel abroad 

• Discussing various social, economic, and political issues transparently and democratically.

• And gain rich knowledge about human rights and foreign affairs.

• Helping people, listening to their problems and issues.

• Acquire critical thinking skills, communication, and negotiation Skills

• Global career opportunities

• Understanding global challenges 

• High competitive salaries 

Read more: The 10 most in-demand majors 

What happens after graduation from international relations? 

The International Relations major is classified as a department of Political Science and is closely related to international studies and foreign affairs, along with the social humanities, history, geography, anthropology, psychology, and criminology.

So after graduation, you have different paths and countless job opportunities as you can work as:

• Diplomats

• Political officers

• Intelligence analysts

• Parliamentary assistant

• Administrative attaché

• Magistrate 

• Communication officer 

• Geopolitical analyst

• Assistant cooperation for cultural action

• Administrative manager

• Assistant to the commercial and economic advisor

• Assistant to the service manager 

• Public relations and event managers

• International development and security analysts

• Media consultants 

• Experts in public affairs and advocacy

• Institutional affairs officers.

• Professors

• Researchers

• Legal advisors

• Advocates

• Consultants for organizations working on international legal issues.

So international relations graduates can pursue careers in 

• Government agencies

• Foreign service

• Diplomatic missions

• Embassies

• Private sector 

• Multinational corporations

• Consulting firms

• International business organizations. 

• International trade

• market research

• corporate social responsibility

• global supply chain management.

• Journalism

• Reporting on global events

• International conflicts

• Diplomatic negotiations. 

• Research institutes

• Universities

• Government agencies.

• International law

• Human rights law

• Diplomatic law.

Bachelor's programs in international relations  

The academic content of the International Relations major discusses many different global and international topics. 

Courses vary from one country to another and from one university to another. However, the major aims mainly to study the relations between countries around the world, discuss the most pressing issues in the world, and find solutions to them.

Bachelor's programs in international relations conclude many subjects 

• Introduction to International Relations

• Introduction to Political Science.

• Introduction to Political Philosophy

• Introduction to Law.

• Theory of International Relations.

• International Security.

• Diplomacy

Bachelor's degrees in international relations typically take around 3-5 years to complete, depending on the country and the specific program requirements. 

Core courses and elective courses that students in a bachelor's program in international relations should take include:

• International relations theory

• Comparative politics

• Global governance

• International law

• Conflict resolution and peacebuilding

• Political economy

• Regional studies (e.g., European Union, Middle East, Asia)

• Foreign policy analysis

• Human rights and humanitarian issues

• Research methods in international relations

In addition to the academic subjects, a bachelor's degree in international relations helps students acquire many skills such as 

• Teamwork behavior

• Working under pressure

• Negotiating discussion

• Learning different languages

• Critically evaluating concepts and information.

What is the difference between political science and international relations? 

Political science and international relations are closely related fields of study, but they have some differences such as:

In general, the classification of political science can be more internally focused, while international relations works on the external relations between countries.

Read More: Why to study political science 

How many years of studying in international relations?

Usually, studying international relations takes 3-4 years but it may take up to five years in some countries for the preparatory year of study.

What are the best universities for international relations in the world?

There are several top universities around the world known for their strong programs in international relations. 

United States universities are considered among the best universities in the world in granting bachelor's degrees in international relations.

• Harvard University (United States) 

• Georgetown University (United States) 

• Ohio State University in the United States 

• Stanford University (United States) 

• Princeton University (United States) 

• Johns Hopkins University (United States) 

• Yale University (United States)

• Columbia university

• George Washington University.

• American university 

• University of California Berkeley 

In addition to other universities in different countries around the world:

• London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) (United Kingdom) 

• University of Oxford (United Kingdom) 

• University of Warwick in the United Kingdom 

• Australian National University

• Columbia University in New York State 

• Sciences Po (France) 

• University of Cambridge (United Kingdom).

Choosing a good university helps you to maximize the advantages of studying international relations major and all these universities are recognized for their excellent faculty, research opportunities, and connections to the policy-making world, making them top choices for students interested in pursuing a career in international relations.

Personal qualities that must be possessed by a student of international relations

Students of international relations should possess a range of personal qualities to succeed in the field. Some of these qualities include:

• Curiosity

• Critical Thinking

• Effective Communication Skills

• Cultural Sensitivity

• Problem-Solving Skills

• Adaptability

• Ethical Integrity

• Resilience

• Global Awareness

• Teamwork Skills

• Negotiation

• Language skills

• Good research skills

• Intercultural communication

• Good background in economics.

• Good background in law and international law.

• Good background in history.

• Attention to the smallest details.

• Have professional work ethics.

• Finding the skill of communicating ideas in the right way.

• Organizational skills.

What are the departments of international relations majors?

Some common departments that may be part of an international relations major include:

• Political Science

• History

• Economics

• Sociology

• Law

• International organization 

• International law 

• Environmental sustainability

• Comparative politics

• Global politics

• Foreign policy 

• Languages

• Global Studies

• Area Studies

• Conflict Resolution/Peace Studies

• Public Policy/Public Administration

Specializations related to international relations

Specializations in international relations allow students to focus on specific areas of interest or expertise within the field. 

Some common specializations related to international relations include:

• International Security

• International Business 

• Law

• Economics 

• Psychology 

• Geography 

• History 

• Comparative international governance

• Foreign policy analysis

• International political economy

• Global Governance

• Diplomacy and Foreign Policy

• International Development

• Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs

• Environmental Policy and Sustainable Development

• Regional Studies

• Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding

• International Political Economy

• Cultural Diplomacy and Global Communication

• Comparative politics

• Global politics

• International Finance

Conclusion 

The advantages of studying international relations major are countless so many international students may choose to study international relations for a combination of academic, career, personal, and networking reasons.

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