International Relations and History

About this course

International relations and history are disciplines that illuminate how the world has been shaped by power, conflict, diplomacy, and ideas across time. Together they provide a uniquely rich lens: history anchors you in evidence and change over time, while international relations gives you the analytical tools to understand how states, institutions, and non-state actors interact on the global stage. Studying both at the School of Oriental and African Studies means you engage with perspectives that centre the Global South, challenging assumptions rooted in Western-centric accounts of world affairs. Throughout the three-year programme you will examine the development of the international system from colonial empires to post-Cold War multilateralism, exploring how historical forces continue to shape contemporary geopolitics. You will analyse primary sources, diplomatic records, and theoreti

Where its graduates go

The 5 largest scored destinations, covering 70% of graduates; the headline also reflects the subject baseline.

• 60 / 100Business, Research and Administrative Professionals · 8% of graduatescards →
• 55 / 100Administrative occupations · 20% of graduatescards →
• 52 / 100Finance Professionals · 8% of graduatescards →
• 48 / 100Business and public service associate professionals · 29% of graduatescards →
• 45 / 100Media Professionals · 5% of graduatescards →

The tabs above carry the rest: modules and satisfaction (The Course), where you'd live and what it costs (Student Life), the full pay story (Pay & Outcomes), and easier ways into the same subject (Alternatives).