Español

Studies & Degrees in International Politics

Choose where you would like to study International Politics:

AustriaDenmarkIndiaRussiaSpainThe United KingdomThe United States

International Politics Study Programs

Level: Graduate     Location: Madrid

The study of International Politics is a very relevant field of study under Political Science. Foreign affairs departments of governments around the world are linked to professionals who have diplomas and degrees related to International Politics. International organizations, the international trade, human rights, and foreign policies are being studied by students of International Politics to get an in-depth understanding of what is in store to every graduate of the degree program.

International Politics has profound and potentially long-lasting effects to the students taking up the course as they immerse themselves and do their part in international organizations and participating in the execution of foreign policies. The study also involves future contributions of the students in responding to global issues among various states that is found within the international system.

As a student of International Politics which is mainly connected to being a student of International Relations, you are expected to have a clear-cut and unbiased point of view regarding the roles of foreign states, inter-governmental organizations or IGOS, non-governmental organizations or NGOs, and multinational corporations or MNCs around the world particularly to the state you are serving.

The degree that you will acquire as a graduate of International Politics will be all about your training in both academic and public policy field since you will be candidly involved in analyzing and formulating foreign policies of every particular state you contend with.

The study of International Politics is broad and far-reaching as it draws upon other much diverse fields namely economics, philosophy, law, history, sociology, anthropology, psychology, geography, and cultural studies. More so, the study of International Politics aims to settle and work on issues that implicate the consequences of globalization, ecological sustainability, organized crime, human security, foreign interventionism, economic development, state sovereignty, terrorism, and global finance.

The United Nations, which is the primary organization known internationally, aids to promote peace and security as it is governed by the UN Charter. The United Nations is a major part of two international principal chambers namely General Assembly and Security Council that deal with international debate and action.

As a student of International Politics you are responsible in creating and establishing a good relationship with international organizations like the United Nations as it is affiliated with other large agencies and organs. To name a few such organizations include: World Health Organization, World Bank, International Court of Justice, International Labour Organization, and many more.

The knowledge and mastery of a student of International Politics when it comes to the theories surrounding the course should be seamless so that they can actively and effectively do their part in analyzing the impacts imposed by each theory under the features and scope of international relations. Some of the theories of International Politics are:

  • Epistemology theory
  • Positivist theories (e.g. realism, liberalism, idealism, liberal internationalism, neoliberalism, and regime theory)
  • Post-positivists or reflectivist theories (e.g. international society theory, social constructivism, critical theory, and Marxism)
  • Leadership theories (e.g. interest group perspective and strategic perspective)
  • Poststructuralist theories

International Politics is a great learning and training ground for students who aspire to be involved in international relations. The courses and the entire curriculum of this program will be good enough to make a mark on one’s future career.

The dictionary defines politics as an art or science concerned with guiding or influencing governmental policy, or a process by which groups of people make decisions. Political institutions say that politics, also being the conduct of public affairs for private advantage, aims to protect the rights of the people and assures that justice is dispensed for them, who must be offered the highest amount of freedom in the pursuit of their aspirations.

The word politics comes from the Greek work “polis,” which means city-state or the Latin “politicus” meaning political and French “politique.” As a science, it is now an academic discipline or curriculum which is concerned with the study of the administration of government in many institutions of learning. As a curriculum, it has expanded to include the study of politics of other states, or the interactions and relations between the peoples and nations of the world, foreign affairs and global issues among the states in an international system, and the roles played by these states, inter-government organizations, non-government organizations, and multi-national corporations. This is what they refer to as World or International Politics.

How is this relationship between and among the states of the world maintained?

Although there is an absence of a central government body for these states, this international relationship is maintained through the United Nations Organization. Founded in 1945 after World War II, the UN replaced the League of Nations to stop wars between countries. The UN is supported by 192 member-states in providing an international platform for dialogue to facilitate cooperation in the fields of international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights and ultimate achievement of peace throughout the world.

Colleges and universities help in maintaining sound relations among the states by offering programs of study on International Politics, International Relations, Political Science, or International Studies. These programs are aimed to provide students with insights into international decision-making in such organizations as the UN, European Union, National Treaty Organization (NATO), and the World Trade Organization, among others, and equip them with the knowledge necessary to address global issues, and distinguish the structure and functions of modern states. Among the areas of study under the undergraduate, Master’s and Doctoral degree programs in International Politics are International Law, International Human Rights Law, Civil Procedure, Public Policy, Political Economy, Political Theory, Political Philosophy, Political Concepts and Ideas, International Comparative Politics, Stability and Disintegration of States, Problems in International Politics, Terrorism and Insurgency, War, Peace and Terror, Security Studies, History of Political Thought, History of Foreign Affairs, European Integration and Public Policy, Legislative Studies and Practice, European Studies, Asian Studies, and many other related subject.

Graduates of International Politics are highly regarded by, or attractive to employers because of their strong academic foundation and transferable skills developed throughout the duration of their studies. Some of these employers are in national government institutions, international organizations, non-government organizations, management and marketing firms, education, commerce and industry, civil service, law, and journalism. Others who have inclinations to government administration are even qualified to run for various elective positions in their respective countries of origin.

Job positions for International Politics:

Foreign Service Officer

Your degree in International Relations or International Politics provides you with immeasurable background in diverse fields of studies namely economics, political science, anthropology, sociology, business, and history. Because of the multidisciplinary approach being taught in courses of International Politics, you become immersed with a variety of future occupations and career orientations and one of which is to pursue a career as Foreign Service Officer.

As a Foreign Service Officer you represent your country around the world. You are trained to interact with not just the local government agencies and departments but with international organizations and foreign policy makers and leaders. You are considered to be an emissary and you gain your local and foreign post in embassies and consulates abroad.

As a Foreign Service Officer, you are given the opportunity to opt for a career path that will best suit your interests, trainings, education, and talents. As what has been mentioned earlier, your duties and responsibilities as a Foreign Service Officer will be regarded as duties directly related to career tracks such as Public Diplomacy, Economics, Politics, Management, and Consular among others.

The usual business that you will be handling as a Foreign Service Officer is to work on reports and assemble your reports through writing. You are also expected to have strong communication skills as a Foreign Service Officer. Such skills are highly essential because you are entering a profession that requires you to work with diplomats and decision makers from foreign countries and from around the world.

Foreign Service Officer is a tough job that doesn’t simply require standard education but commitment and dedication as well. As you do negotiations with local governments and foreign policymakers you are expected to handle problems professionally and satisfactorily because the stakes are high. The results that will be yielded with your course of actions and decisions will be taken as international affairs that will benefit an entire country.

As a diplomat and Foreign Service Officer you are leading your country’s Foreign Service department or institution. With this kind of duties and responsibilities, you have to remember that acquiring the position of a Foreign Service Officer is a tough and extremely rigorous process of selection because it is an attractive career that receives high risks if failures happen.

The career of a Foreign Service Officer is considered to be the best-known international career that requires in-depth knowledge in international business and a prominent role in the present condition of the international relations of your country. And so, if you have taken courses that allowed you to master international expertise you can do the job of a Foreign Service Officer.

As a Foreign Service Officer you will gain international experience. Thus, it is indispensable that you develop specialized skills and backgrounds that will be relevant in undertaking foreign language experience.

So, if you are a graduate of law school, business school, political science programs, and international affairs courses you have just gained the opportunity of pursuing the career of a Foreign Service Officer. As you have seen, the duties and responsibilities of a Foreign Service Officer can be very compelling. However, the rewarding achievements and life-changing experiences you will earn are both invaluable and overpowering.

Ambassador

Pursuing the career of an Ambassador requires not just personal commitment but the willingness to contribute and participate in meetings and outreaches with foreign policymakers, thought leaders, and the state he serves.

Around the world, Ambassadors are considered to be accomplished leaders in global organizations. Their capabilities and experiences in dealing with policymakers around the world which includes the media are seamless. Ambassadors are trained to communicate with decision makers and international leaders serving foreign relation agencies and departments.

Here are some of Ambassadors’ key responsibilities and roles in their respective posts:


  • Ambassadors play as key players in determining demanding trade-offs and foreign policies. Such policies deal with executive and legislative priorities, strategic interests of a particular state, explicit human rights and concerns, and relationship between public and private diplomacy among others.

  • Ambassadors are also integrators in promoting human rights and other policies abroad. They will also have to deal with interest groups belonging to the business community, international NGOs, and local communities. As Ambassadors they will gain the power and authority in enacting foreign policies being implemented in foreign agencies, departments, and states.

  • Ambassadors represent their country and they are entrusted to operate and function in their neighbouring countries and acquire a seat in international organizations such as the United Nations and European Unions. Ambassadors’ course of actions, opinions, and point of views are critical in times of settling global issues that is why their responsibilities should be taken seriously and appropriately.

  • As a head of mission in a post, an Ambassador is designated by his country and then obtains approval of the country where he is going. Once the country of post approves his designation his appointment will be announced and published. Later on, the Ambassador receives his duties from both the host country and the country he is serving.


As the highest ranking diplomat and representative of his country, Ambassadors are highly respected individuals who are sent by their country to head mission in a foreign post. Every critical mission that requires dealings with international relations is entrusted to Ambassadors because their country believes that their training and education can be employed in advancing an advocacy that will yield to attaining positive changes for their country and the country that hosts them.

Ambassadors are equipped with diplomatic immunity in the host country which they can employ as they perform their tasks and duties in their respective territories or embassies. As they do their job in their host country, they should work and advise their government regarding the execution of policies that will result in accomplishing the mission of a specific post that the Ambassador is heading.

Apart from that, Ambassadors are also entitled to conduct and enhance the quality of Ambassadors’ materials and messages that will produce results regarding specific legislation. In this case, Ambassadors should be active in articulating and preparing questions and concerns that pertain to global issues and other issues concerning international relations.

The duties and roles of an Ambassador are far-reaching and very pertinent. Hence, it is important to note that as Ambassadors and future Ambassadors, you should be prepared to advocate strategies and international policies and settlement of international disputes that will benefit the majority, especially your country.