International Relations degrees teach students about political principles, foreign affairs, and the relations between countries. Top universities offer International Relations courses exploring themes like government and the state, political behaviour, and local or international economic issues.
You should study a degree in International Relations if you consider that the current socio-economic problems around the world can only be fixed through the direct involvement and cooperation of governments and private and public organisations. International Relations is the ideal discipline if you want to create a better community and society for future generations. It also allows you to prove that we have all the tools and resources necessary to address fundamental issues like hunger, lack of shelter, healthcare, education, etc.
While studying International Relations, you can focus on specialisations like Comparative Foreign Policy, Conflict and Peace-Making, Environmental Policy, Human Rights, Migration and Refugees, International Security, and others.
The courses you'll take during a degree in International Relations vary from one university and programme to another. However, you can expect to take classes in Comparative Politics, Global Development Challenges, World History, International Political Economy, Statistics and Probability, Public Policy, etc.
These International Relations classes help students develop a wide range of industry-specific and soft skills. They range from communication, cross-cultural management, and negotiation to analysis, problem-solving, teamwork, and project management.
All these essential skills allow International Relations graduates to better understand the social, economic, and structural complexities of our societies. Using their knowledge, they are able to identify patterns, come up with ideas and plans, and support causes through the adoption of public policies and the organisation of projects in collaboration with private and/or public institutions.
International Relations graduates usually work with governments, private or public institutions, NGOs, the UN (United Nations), the EU (European Union) or similar unions or intergovernmental organisations. Some of the most popular job titles for International Relations graduates are: diplomat, foreign affairs analyst, immigration specialist, international lawyer, political analyst, intelligence analyst, international aid worker, etc.
A career in International Relations will also help you work on the latest trends and developments in this area, like the ongoing development of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Privacy and Data Security, and Free Speech & Human Rights.
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Not sure if International Relations is for you?
The Netherlands is a very popular study destination. Internationals choose this beautiful country because Dutch universities are some of the best in Europe, the living standards are high, foreigners are always welcome, and you get to live in one of the happiest and safest countries in the world. The Netherlands is also renowned for innovative technologies and engineering solutions, which is reflected in the wide range of Engineering degrees offered by universities. English is spoken by around 90% of Dutch citizens, so forget about language barriers. Also, bike lanes and the “cycling culture” will help you to stay fit and healthy, and there are diverse job opportunities and internships for international students.
Read more about studying abroad in NetherlandsCan you handle the weather in Netherlands?
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