Politics and International Relations
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Studying politics and international relations at The University of Nottingham provides you with a firm foundation for your future career. Politics as a subject is valued by employers in many sectors and our graduates do well in the graduate job market.
Continuing to a higher degree is a popular option and our graduates are very successful in accessing taught and research opportunities, in areas related to their academic, personal and career interests.
What can I do with my politics degree?
Watch this webinar with a panel of politics and international relations UoN graduates. Learn where your degree could take you.
Speakers:
- Tom Monks, G7 Summit Officer, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
- Emilie Nilson, Policy Advisor, Department of Science, Innovation and Technology
- Jess Hay, Public Affairs and Communications Officer, All Child
- Maryam Gbajabiamila, Strategic Communications Consultant, FTI Consulting
Login to SharePoint to watch the webinar
- Alumni: Email us to gain access to the webinar
What skills will I gain during my degree?
In addition to your subject knowledge your politics/international relations degree equips you with key skills valued by employers:
- reflection, critical reasoning and analytical abilities
- creative thinking and intellectual rigour
- self motivation and reliance
- professional communication skills – able to construct and present cogent and persuasive arguments
- strong written and verbal communication skills
- team skills, collaborating effectively with others
- digital capabilities and effective research skills
If you choose the Q-Step programme you will also develop excellent quantitative analysis and research skills.
What are my career options?
Approximately one third of large recruiter opportunities are filled by graduates who have already worked for the organisations through internships or placements.
Gaining relevant experience during studies has an increasing impact on success in the recruitment process. Our graduates continued to be successful in sourcing professional, well-paid positions in major companies and organisations.
The table below lists a range of employers where our politics and international relations are now working.
| HSBC |
BBC |
| NHS |
Chatham House |
| House of Commons |
Goldman Sachs |
| Network Rail |
McCann Erickson |
| House of Parliament |
Political Consulting |
Our graduates secured professional positions across a diverse range of employment sectors, but the key sectors of employment for our graduates are:
- public sector administration
- accountancy and financial management
- public relations and political lobbying
- political and social science research
- marketing and sales management
- human resource management
Graduate destinations from the Graduate Outcomes survey
You can view the destinations of graduates, who completed the Graduate Outcomes survey, from your course by booking an appointment with an adviser. This can help you to explore your options if you are unsure what you want to do.
Graduate Outcomes is a national survey capturing the activities and perspectives of graduates launched in 2018 and is the biggest annual social survey in the UK.
Find out more about the Graduate Outcomes survey
How can I develop my skills and gain experience during my degree?
Work experience
Depending on what area of work or role you might be interested in, and where, there will be specific strategies, from speculative applications to formal processes you need to be familiar with.
Work experience - what, how and when
Nottingham Internship Scheme
We work closely with a huge variety of local and national businesses to bring you an exciting range of internship opportunities, for both current students and recent graduates
Nottingham Internship Scheme
Nottingham Advantage Award
Through the completion of extracurricular modules, the Nottingham Advantage Award helps you develop key life and work-based skills and reflect on your experiences, allowing you to demonstrate your achievements and skills more effectively when applying for jobs.
Nottingham Advantage Award
Enhance your digital skills
Digital skills are essential in many career fields including advertising, publishing, marketing and general commerce. They range from social media to coding and will definitely enhance your employability.
Digital marketing careers
Apply for part-time jobs through us
We advertise part-time, casual and temporary jobs on campus and with local businesses. Created just for you, the advertised vacancies can fit around your studies and other commitments.
The vacancies are advertised in two places.
On-campus jobs
Off-campus jobs
Students' Union
The Students’ Union offers a wide range of volunteering options both locally and internationally which you can fit around your studies.
Alternatively you could get involved in a society or sports club - there's so many, you're bound to find one that interests you!
Students' Union
Students in Classrooms
There are three initiatives which will give you the opportunity to work in a local educational setting. These initiatives support the academic attainment and raise the aspirations of primary and secondary pupils, whilst developing the skills and employability of those involved.
These are excellent opportunities for students considering teaching, youth work or community engagement as a career.
Students in Classrooms
Exchange programmes overseas
Undertake an exchange semester in another country and broaden your horizons. Talk to your tutors and find out more about the programmes available from the International Office.
Exchange programmes
Psychometric tests
Many graduate recruiters use psychometric tests during the recruitment and selection process. They are common across all sectors and career fields. Practise will really help your performance.
Use our example tests
Read Josie's blog: How to use LinkedIn to your advantage as a politics student