International Relations
International relations is the study of how states, international organisations, non-governmental bodies and other actors interact in the global arena. It addresses the causes of war and the conditions for peace, how trade and economic interdependence shape political relationships, the role of international law and institutions in governing global affairs, and the complex dynamics of diplomacy, power and cooperation. It draws on political science, history, economics and philosophy to provide a multi-dimensional account of the international system, and it is a discipline of growing urgency in a world of rapid geopolitical change.
At the Open University, international relations is available as a part-time, distance learning programme, which makes it accessible to students who cannot study on a conventional campus or who are managing work and other commitments alongside their studies. You will engage with course materials online, interact with tutors and fellow students digitally, and complete assessed work at a pace that suits your circumstances. The Open University's teaching materials are developed to a high standard and are designed for self-directed adult learners.
The flexible format makes it possible to pursue a serious academic education in international relations without being constrained by geography or full-time availability.
International relations graduates move into careers in diplomacy, the civil service, international organisations, NGOs, journalism, policy research, think tanks, defence and security, trade and international business, and academic research. The analytical frameworks and geopolitical knowledge that international relations study develops are directly applicable in any professional context that requires understanding of global affairs. Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in international relations, security studies, law, public policy or area studies.
The Open University route is particularly valued by working professionals seeking to formalise or deepen knowledge they have developed through experience.