Last Updated on July 28, 2023
International Relations introduce you to the world of politics and the social-historical impact of global development. You will learn about the different political systems and governing policies around the world, understanding how they connect with a broad range of international issues, such as human rights, global poverty, climate change, global ethics, etc.
During a Bachelor’s in International Relations, you can expect to take classes on Economics, Politics and Government, Explaining Society, Public Policy, Business Behaviours, Global Conflicts, Global Security, Environmental Sustainability, etc. You won’t study all these subjects, but most undergraduate programmes combine them in various ways and have a different approach based on their curriculum and academic objectives.
There are other titles used to refer to International Relations (IR), such as International Studies, Global Studies, International Affairs, or Global Affairs. Because International Relations is a relatively new discipline, the academic approach, curriculums, and courses can vary significantly from one university to another.
While some International Studies programmes have very similar classes to International Relations, others approach different subjects. The same thing is true for Global Studies and the other titles used to refer to International Relations. Checking the programme outline is a great way to see what you will learn during your Bachelor’s and determine if that programme will help you achieve your academic and professional goals.
International Politics/Relations School
| School Name | City | Level | Type | Location | Attribute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of International Business and Economics | Beijing | 211 Project | Finance and Economics | Urban | Public |
| Beijing Language and Culture University | Beijing | Ordinary | Language | Urban | Public |
| Beijing Foreign Studies University-International Business School | Beijing | 211 Project | Finance and Economics | Urban | Public |
| Peking University | Beijing | 985 Project | Comprehensive | Urban | Public |
| Tsinghua University | Beijing | 985 Project | Comprehensive | Urban | Public |
| China University of Petroleum – Beijing | Beijing | 211 Project | Science and Engineering | Urban | Public |
| East China Normal University | Shanghai | 985 Project | Comprehensive | Urban | Public |
| Shanghai International Studies University | Shanghai | 211 Project | Language | Urban | Public |
| Nankai University | Tianjin | 985 Project | Comprehensive | Urban | Public |
| Zhengzhou University | Zhengzhou | 211 Project | Comprehensive | Urban | Public |
| Shandong University | Jinan | 985 Project | Comprehensive | Urban | Public |
| Sichuan University | Chengdu | 985 Project | Comprehensive | Urban | Public |
| Fudan University | Shanghai | 985 Project | Comprehensive | Urban | Public |
| Jilin University | Changchun | 985 Project | Comprehensive | Urban | Public |
| Wuhan University | Wuhan | 985 Project | Comprehensive | Urban | Public |
| Tongji University | Shanghai | 985 Project | Comprehensive | Urban | Public |
| Qingdao University | Qingdao | Ordinary | Comprehensive | Suburb | Public |
| University of Nottingham Ningbo China | Ningbo | World-Class Research Institute | Sino-foreign Cooperative | Urban | Sino-foreign Cooperative |
| Beijing Foreign Studies University – School of International Relations and Diplomacy | Beijing | Ordinary | Language | Urban | Public |
| Xiamen University | Xiamen | 985 Project | Comprehensive | Urban | Public |
| Ocean University of China | Qingdao | 985 Project | Comprehensive | Suburb | Public |
| Renmin University of China | Beijing | 985 Project | Comprehensive | Urban | Public |
| China University of Political Science and Law | Beijing | 211 Project | Politics and Law | Suburb | Public |
| Tianjin University of Finance and Economics | Tianjin | Ordinary | Finance and Economics | Suburb | Public |
| Shanghai Jiao Tong University | Shanghai | 985 Project | Comprehensive | Urban | Public |
| Guangxi Normal University | Guilin | Ordinary | Science and Engineering | Urban | Public |
| Yunnan University | Kunming | 211 Project | Comprehensive | Urban | Public |
| Capital Normal University | Beijing | Ordinary | Comprehensive | Urban | Public |
| Central China Normal University | Wuhan | 211 Project | Normal | Urban | Public |
| Liaoning University | Shenyang | 211 Project | Comprehensive | Suburb | Public |
| Northeast Normal University | Changchun | 211 Project | Normal | Urban | Public |
| Zhejiang University | Hangzhou | 985 Project | Comprehensive | Urban | Public |
| Northwest University | Xi’an | 211 Project | Comprehensive | Urban | Public |
Best Chinese Universities For International Relations
University of International Business and Economics（对外经济贸易大学）UIBE, which has been called the “Oriental Harvard” and widely recognized as one of the best universities on economics and finance, is one of the important stations for talents’ training and scientific research on Chinese economic and business development.
Wuhan University Wuhan University is a key university directly under the administration of the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China. It was selected by both Project 985 and Project 211 as a major receiver of state findings. And Wuhan University is acknowledged as one of the most beautiful universities in the world.
Central China Normal University(华中师范大学) CCNU is a key normal university directly administered by PRC Ministry of Education. It is a comprehensive and prestigious university on the list of “211 National Project”. A hundred years of vicissitudes and hard work fostered this celebrated university. The predecessor of CCNU is the combination of Huazhong University, Zhonghua University and the Pedagogical College of Zhongyuan University, with Huazhong University as the main part.
China Business Studies（北京外国语大学商学院）Founded in Yan’an in 1941, Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) is China’s first institution specializing in foreign language studies. BFSU is one of the key universities directly affiliated with the Ministry of Education (MOE) of the People’s Republic of China. Excellence in foreign language teaching has allowed BFSU to enjoy a good reputation for quality programs boasting rapid development in teaching and research activities.
Shandong University（山东大学）Shandong University is one of the oldest and prestigious universities in China. Shandong University was founded in 1901 and is the second national university established soon after Jingshi University (the Metropolitan University) in the country. Recently, the Ministry of Education approved the university as a “national key comprehensive university”. In 2001, it was listed among the 211 national key construction first-class universities by the Ministry of Education. Situated in Jinan, capital city of Shandong Province, Shandong University covers an area of 3.849 square kilometers.
Jilin University（吉林大学）Jilin University is a leading national university under the direct jurisdiction of China’s Ministry of Education. Located in Changchun, the capital city of Jilin Province in Northeastern China, the University has eight campuses in five districts which are home to thirty-nine colleges covering eleven academic disciplines, including philosophy, economics, law, literature, education, history, science, engineering, agriculture, medicine, and management.
China Foreign Affairs University（外交学院） China Foreign Affairs University, the only institution of higher learning under the guidance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of P.R.China, aims to train professional personnel in Foreign Service, international studies as well as in the careers related to international business and law.
Guangdong University of Foreign Studies(广东外语外贸大学)Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (GDUFS) is one of the prestigious universities in China which specializes in international studies and one of the key institutions of higher learning in Guangdong Province in South China. The University was established in June 1995 through the merger of Guangzhou Institute of Foreign Languages and Guangzhou Institute of Foreign Trade. The former, one of three institutes of foreign languages in that era (the other two being Beijing Institute of Foreign Languages and Shanghai Institute of Foreign Languages) under the direct jurisdiction of the State Education Commission (presently Ministry of Education), witnessed its establishment in the year 1965.
Hunan Normal University（湖南师范大学）Hunan Normal University, founded in 1938, is located in Changsha, a famous city with great historical and cultural interests. As an academic institution of higher education with a full range of disciplines, the University has become a national “211 Project” university–one of the country’s 100 key universities in the 21st century that enjoy priority in obtaining national funds.
Central South University（中南大学Central South University (CSU) is a comprehensive and national key university under the direct administration of the Ministry of Education in China. CSU was established in April, 2000 on the basis of the amalgamation of the three former individual universities, namely Central South University of Technology, Hunan Medical University and Changsha Railway University. CSU is situated in Changsha, Hunan. Gao Wenbing is secretary of the Communist Party of China’s CSU Committee, and Prof.Huang Baiyun, an academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering, is president of CSU.
Masters in International Relations
Master’s degrees in International Relations 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 Master’s 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.
International Relations specialisations
Most International Relations courses are offered either as M.A. (Master of Arts) or M.Sc. (Master of Science) degrees. It normally takes 2 years to graduate. 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.
International Relations courses and skills
The courses you’ll take during a graduate degree in International Relations vary from one university and programme to another. However, you can expect to take classes in Contemporary Politics, Complex Emergencies and Global Governance, Terrorism, Conflict Resolution, Negotiation and Mediation, Globalisation, Political Psychology, 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 careers
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.
