Where do politics and international relations graduates work?

Politics and International Relations graduates have excellent career prospects and go on to work in a variety of industries. Many politics and international relations graduates work in government departments while others are employed by think tanks, lobbyists, charities, non-government organisations (NGOs), multilateral and intergovernmental organisations and business graduate management schemes. Your degree could also take you into public affairs, journalism, HR or risk management.

The Civil Service Fast Stream fast tracks graduates into policy roles but there is also a similar scheme for local government called the National Graduate Development Programme (NGDP). Your understanding of international relations might lead you to work for an international NGO with opportunities both doing project work in the field as well as administrative, research or communications roles. If you are interested in working for a social research organisation or think tank, the Government Social Research Service (GSR) has a fast stream scheme offering accelerated development where you could work on anything from community cohesion to gender equality.

Top employers for Politics & International Relations graduates

Local and central government

EU Administration

European Union (you need to hold citizenship from an EU member state to apply) including:
- European Commission
- European Parliament

Charity and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)

Consultancies

Multilateral Organisations

Think Tanks