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Studying BSc International Relations open up opportunities for you to address global issues like hunger, conflicts, human trafficking, etc. by working with the government, NGOs and private institutions. If you are someone who has a keen interest in foreign affairs then this course is surely for you. After completing this course you will be working at the United Nations, communicating with foreign officials, diplomatically addressing the issues and coming to mutually agreeable solutions and travelling around the world.
Are you also planning to pursue a BSc International Relations course? If the answer is yes, then this blog will surely help you. Keep on reading further to know more information.
| Course Name | BSc International Relations |
| Study Duration | 3 years |
| Top Colleges | Symbiosis Law College, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Jadavpur University, Pondicherry University |
| Job Prospects | International Relations Officer, Public Relations Officer, Translator, Advisor |
| Top Recruiting Companies | Adobe, Microsoft, Google, Oracle |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 18.3 Lakh of a Director International Relations |
| Required Skills | General Awareness, Economic Background, Communication Skills, Observant, Innovative and knowledgeable |
What is International Relations?
The international Relations course is referred as various names such as Global Affairs, International Affairs, Global Studies, etc. in different universities, colleges and online courses platforms. While studying International Relations a student gets in-depth knowledge about subjects like Environmental Sustainability, Global Security, Global Conflicts, Economics, Politics and Government, etc. Pursuing International Relations course makes a student aware of Global Politics as countries around the world are increasing their global engagement in areas like trade, education, security, healthcare and so much more.
Also Read: MBA in International Relations: Universities & Courses
Reasons to Study BSc International Relations
There are many advantages of studying International Relations, so if you are planning to pursue a BSc International Relations course then you should definitely check out the benefits of pursuing this course:
- Helps in Addressing the Contemporary Global Issues– Despite the increasing living standards of people all around the world we still are facing issues like poverty, hunger, human trafficking, environmental issues and so much more. Pursuing a BSc International Relations course can provide you with a lot of opportunities to work with government, NGOs and private institutions to solve these problems and continue the progress in making this world a better place to live in by fighting for human rights. Solving these humanitarian issues will leave with you a sense of satisfaction which is parallel to none.
- Instills Important Transferrable Skills- Taking up an International Relations course will help you develop the following skills effectively which can be used in any area thereby opening up a lot of career opportunities for you.
- Resolving conflicts and coming to a solution that is agreeable.
- It will help you develop public speaking and writing skills.
- Working harmoniously with people who have different personalities and ambitions.
- Coming to a solution keeping in mind the different cultures and ideologies of people.
- Gathering information and organising them effectively in order to gain valuable insights.
- Lucrative Career Ahead- With the increase in global trade and migration, the demand for this course has risen significantly as there are many career opportunities available in this field. This will ensure that you don’t face job scarcity and enjoy stability in your professional journey.
Top Universities that Offer BSc International Relations
The Table below represents the top Indian universities that offer BSc International Relations:
| Jawaharlal Nehru University | Pondicherry University |
| School of Liberal Studies, PDP University | Amity University, Noida |
| PP Savani University | Jadavpur University |
| University of Mysore | Adamas University |
| University of Madras | Gautam Buddha University |
| Ashoka University | — |
When it comes to pursuing BSc International Relations abroad, the popular countries are- United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Turkey. The table below represents the top international universities that offer international Relations courses:
| University Name | Location |
| University of Portsmouth | United Kingdom |
| EU Business School | Spain |
| Tallinn University | Estonia |
| The University of Western Australia | Australia |
| Anglo-American University Prague | Czech Republic |
| Tilburg University | Netherlands |
Also Read: Top 25 Countries to Study International Relations
Online Courses for International Relations
Online courses related to International Relations can be a great way to enhance your learning and at the same time, it will help you save money, time and some extra effort. Following are some of the online courses for International Relations that you can consider taking:
| Course Name | Offering University | Duration |
| Global Diplomacy – Diplomacy in the Modern World | University of London | 13 hours (approx.) |
| Global Diplomacy – The United Nations in the World | University of London | 12 hours (approximately) |
| International Organizations Management | University of Geneva | 17 hours (approximately) |
| Power and Foreign Policy in International Relations | O.P. Jindal Global University | 16 hours (approximately) |
| International Leadership and Organisational Behaviour | Universita Bocconi | 16 hours (approximately) |
| International Humanitarian Law in Theory and Practice | Universiteit Leiden | 18 hours (approximately) |
| Global Strategy I – How the Global Economy Works | University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign | 12 hours (approximately) |
| Global Health Diplomacy | The State University of New York | 30 hours (approximately) |
| International Water Law | University of Law | 10 hours (approximately) |
| International Marketing Entry and Execution | Yonsei University | 8 hours (approximately) |
Must Read: International Economics
Eligibility to Study BSc International Relations
There are both undergraduate and postgraduate courses available in the field of International Relations. Following are the basic eligibility criteria that a candidate should fulfil in order to get enrolled in the International Relations course:
- To get into the BSc International Relations course a student must have completed their 10+2 or equivalent from a recognized board.
- To study International Relations at the postgraduation level a student must have completed their graduation from a recognized university preferably in the humanities stream.
- Students going for Sociology, Cultural Anthropology, Political Science and History can take up International Relations as their specialisation subject.
Admission Process
Following are the basic steps to get admission in International Relations Course:
1) Select the University and College: Since you have made the decision to pursue an International Relations course, the first step for you would be to look out for the best universities and colleges that offer BSc International Relations courses. Also, make sure you go through the reviews of the alumni of the universities which will help you make an informed decision.
2) Fill out the Application: The next step would be to fill out the application form. Also, before submitting go through your application again in order to avoid any mistakes.
3) Selection and Admission: In order to get selected the candidate should obtain a good rank and have a good percentage in their previous school. Some of the universities’ admission processes also entail personal interview and group discussions.
Books for International Relations
If you are planning to take up a course in International Relations or are currently pursuing it then it is crucial to refer to books in order to expand your knowledge about this subject. Following is the list of popular books based on International Relations:
| Book Name | Author |
| Man, The State and War | Kenneth Waltz |
| Guns, Germs and Steel | Jared Diamond |
| Arms and Influence | Thomas Schelling |
| Seeing Like a State: How Certain Schemes to Improve the Human Condition Have Failed | James Scott |
| The Best and the Brightest | David Halberstam |
| Perception and Misperception in International Politics | Robert Jervis |
| The Tragedy of Great Power Politics | John J. Mearsheimer |
| Nations and Nationalism | Ernst Gellner |
| White House Years and Years of Upheaval | Henry A. Kissinger |
| The Great Transformation | Karl Polanyi |
Job Prospects and Salaries
Pursuing BSc International Relations can open up doors for a lot of career opportunities which you can choose according to your own interest area. The below represents various job prospects and their respective salaries after completing BSc International Relations:
| Job Position | Average Annual Salary |
| Foreign Affairs Officer | INR 12 Lakh |
| Diplomat | INR 24 Lakh |
| Translator | INR 4 Lakh |
| Public Relations Officer | INR 4 Lakh |
| Economist | INR 7.71 Lakh |
| Political Analyst | INR 5.93 Lakh |
| International Relations Officer | INR 4 Lakh |
| Communication Specialist | INR 7 Lakh |
| Archivist | INR 5.54 Lakh |
| Foreign Affairs Specialist | INR 12 Lakh |
| Professor | INR 12 Lakh |
| Foreign Affairs Analyst | INR 12 Lakh |
Famous Personalities who Studied International Relations
If you are still confused about your future after studying BSc International Relations then take a look at the list below which entails names of famous personalities who have studied International Relations.
- Judith Goldstein (Stanford Professor)
- Shiva Keshavan (Olympic Athlete)
- Kevin Ford (AStronaut)
- Ron Silver (Actor)
- Ban Ki-Moon (Secretary General of the United Nations)
- Nirmala Sitaraman (Indian Minister)
- John F. Kennedy (American President)
FAQs
While pursuing BSc in International Relations students will get to learn about international law, governance and finance at a deeper level. Therefore studying BSc International RElations will make you exposed to global politics, important policies, human rights and so much more.
There has been a significant demand for this course due to increased interaction between countries around the world in areas like education, healthcare, business, etc.
Pursuing a degree in International Relations can open up a lot of doors for opportunities as you can work with any state department like the military, navy, national security, etc. under the national government.
Studying International Relations is quite challenging but if you have passion and interest in knowing about global politics then you will find it quite exciting. Also, the amazing career opportunities available after this course makes it all worth it.
This is everything you need to know about BSc International Relations. Make sure you follow Leverage Edu for more such informative articles.
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