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jobs after studying International relations

Job Opportunities after studying International Relations

International Relations is a program structured to understand the dynamics of international relationships between countries and how they resolve them. This blog will cover the average salaries, pay scale, and roles offered after pursuing international relations.  

International Relations is a political science branch that deals with relationships and interactions between countries, including how they cooperate, compete, and resolve conflicts. The main areas of study include diplomacy, war & peace, global governance, international law, human rights, and security. 

Why Pursue a Master’s in International Relations?

A Master’s in International Relations is an interdisciplinary study that draws its roots from history, political science, law, economics, and sociology, making it an inclusive field of study for students. Some of the other reasons are stated below: 

  • It helps to shape foreign policy and diplomacy and protects and represents the country internationally. 
  • Security studies help students understand the conflict and relationship between countries, securing a country’s rightful place and ensuring global peace. 
  • Cultural exposure and travel experiences have also become attractive factors for many students. 
  • Gaining a global perspective that allows individuals to comprehend how countries interact and develop cross-cultural understanding and competencies. 

Career Opportunities: Jobs after Studying International Relations

Many high-paying roles are offered after studying International Relations. Some job roles are diplomat, policy analyst, foreign matter expert, and bureaucrat.  Here is a list of jobs after studying International Relations:

  • Diplomat: A diplomat is responsible for engaging in discussions with foreign counterparts. They also act as a representative of their home country, protecting the national interests. They are also known for observing and reporting their host country’s political, economic, and social developments. 
  • International Trade Specialist: An international trade specialist focuses on helping businesses and governments navigate global markets, negotiate trade agreements, and promote export/import activities. They work in multinational corporations, governments,  trade departments, and international trade organisations. 
  • Intelligent Analyst: An intelligent analyst gathers and analyses information about foreign governments and organisations to help in security and defence policies. 
  • Public Relations Officer: They manage communications between organisations and the public, focusing on promoting a positive image abroad. They work for PR agencies, international NGOs, and governments. 
  • International Development Consultants: They are responsible for researching and understanding target areas’ socio-economic, political, and cultural contexts. They also focus on establishing metrics to measure the effectiveness of projects and programs and conducting evaluations to assess impacts. 
  • Policy Analyst: A policy analyst is known for advising on foreign policies and global issues like climate change, economic crisis, etc. Research, advocacy, and stakeholder engagements are other policy analyst roles. 
  • Journalist: Reporting on international events, interviewing sources, and providing deeper insights into global events are some of the key roles of a journalist. Other roles include verification, multimedia engagements, risk management, and ethical reporting. 

The table below highlights the top recruiters and average salary received after studying International Relations. Some top recruiters after studying International Relations are BBC, Hudson, RAND Corporation, Weber, Edelman, Burson Cohn & Wolfe, and Amazon, WTO 

Job RolesAverage Salary (per annum)Top Recruiters
Journalist$65,000-75,000 (INR 55-63 lakhs)BBC, Hudson, Thompson Reuters, The Washington Post, International Journalists’ Network
Policy Analyst$85,000-114,000 (INR 71-96 lakhs)RAND Corporation, Bank of England, LSE, Amazon, HM Treasury, Bloomberg, Cotiviti
International Development Consultant$72,000-123,000 (INR 60 lakhs-1 crore)Bond, Greys Recruitment, Human Rights Career, Aines International, Ecorys
Public Relations Officer$86,000-126,000 (INR 72 lakhs-1 crore)Korn Ferry, PR Futures, Chartered Institute of Marketing, Weber, Edelman, Burson Cohn & Wolfe, Amazon, Goldman Sachs
Intelligent Analyst$80,000-113,000 (INR 67-95 lakhs)Dell Technologies, Amazon, National Crime Agency, Accenture
International Trade Specialist$87,000-135,000 (INR 73 lakhs-1.1 crore)Alpha Apex Group, ICS Global Service, Boston Consulting Group, Clear Border, Go Exporting
Diplomat$99,000-110,000 (INR 83-92 lakhs)WHO, WTO, World Bank, National Government Agencies

Jobs after Studying International Relations: Country-Wise Salaries –

USA

The USA is known for its competitive global market & provides exposure that hone their skills on global platforms like WTO, WHO, and other international agencies. Some jobs after studying International Relations are mentioned below:

Job RolesAverage Salary (per annum)
Diplomat$99,000-170,000 (INR 83 lakhs-1.4 crore)
International Development Consultant$87,000-135,000 (INR 73 lakhs-1.1 crore)
Policy Analyst$85,000-114,000 (INR 71-96 lakhs)
Intelligent Analyst$80,000-113,000 (INR 67-95 lakhs)
Public Relations Officer$86,000-126,000 (INR 72lakhs-1.1 crore)

UK

The UK is known for its high-paying jobs and high living standards, making it one of the best students’s destinations. The table below gives a list of jobs after studying International Relations:

Job RolesAverage Salary (per annum)
Journalist£40,000-50,000 (INR 45-56 lakhs)
Public Relation Officer£40,000-45,000 (INR 45-50 lakhs)
Beauracrat£50,000-88,000 (INR 56-98 lakhs)
Intelligent Analyst£51,000-62,000 (INR 57-69 lakhs)
Diplomat£53,000-60,000 (INR 59-67 lakhs)

France

France is known for its affordable tuition fees, quality education, and scholarship opportunities, making it the best destination for students. Here is the list of jobs after studying International Relations:

Job RolesAverage Salary (per annum)
Intelligent Analyst€43,000-55,000 (INR 40-51 lakhs)
Public Relation Officer€49,000-60,000 (INR 45-56 lakhs)
Beauracrat€75,000-83,000 (INR 70-77 lakhs)
Journalist€51,000-81,000 (INR 47-75 lakhs)
Diplomat€57,000-62,000 (INR 53-58 lakhs)

Australia

The multicultural diversity, research opportunities, high standards of living, and post-study permits have become pull factors, attracting lakhs of Indian students to Australia. Some jobs after studying International Relations are: 

Job RolesAverage Salary (per annum)
DiplomatAUD 80,000-170,000 (46-98 lakhs)
BeauracratAUD 89,000-108,000 (INR 51-62 lakhs)
JournalistAUD 65,000-85,000 (INR 38-49 lakhs)
Intelligent AnalystAUD 90,000-105,000 (INR 52-61 lakhs)
International Development ConsultantAUD 95,000-131,000 (INR 55-76 lakhs)

Jobs after Studying International Relations: Experience-Wise Salary Distribution

Another factor that influences the average salary is experience level. This table highlights salaries based on the experience level of students. 

Years of ExperienceAverage Salary (per annum)
1-5$60,000-70,000 (INR 50-59 lakhs)
5-10$80,000-90,000 (INR 67-76 lakhs)
10-15$95,000-105,000 (INR 80-88 lakhs)
15-20$110,000-170,000 (INR 92 lakhs-1.4 crore)

Jobs after Studying International Relations: Payback Period

The payback period is the time period when cash flow is made to recover the initial investment amount. Cash flow is also known as salaries or compensations that companies offer a graduate, and the initial investment amount is the total study costs and living expenses spent for the whole duration of the program.

Payback Period = Initial  Investment/Total Cash Flow

Here, initial investment implies the total cost of study and cost of living, whereas total cash flow means the total salary earned in a year on a particular job post.

Factors

USA

UK

Australia

France

Rest of Europe

Duration

2 years

1 year

2 years

2 years

2 years

Average Tuition Fees (per year)

USD 30k-120k

GBP 9k-26k
AUD 20k-43k

EUR 10k-29k

EUR 10k-20k

Average Living Expenses (per year)USD 15k-29kGBP 10k-18k

AUD 20k-35k

EUR 10k-15k

EUR 10k-15k

Total Cost Incurred (Initial Investment)

USD 90k-298k

GBP 19k-44k
AUD 80k-156k

EUR 40k-88k

EUR 40k-70k
Salary
(Total Cash Flow)
USD 87k-170k

GBP 40k-88k

AUD 65k-170k

EUR 43k-83k

EUR 71k-141k

Net Salary

USD 72k-141k

GBP 30k-70k

AUD 45k-135k

EUR 33k-68kEUR 61k-126k

Payback Period/ROI

1-2 years

1.5 years

1-2 years

1-2 years

2 years

Conclusion

International Relations opens vast opportunities for students pursuing careers in political science, economics, and international business. After studying International Relations, the jobs offer high salaries and diverse working opportunities to work in international platforms.

FAQs

What are the top in-demand jobs after studying International Relations?

Some of the top in-demand jobs after studying International Relations are diplomat, journalist, policy and intelligence analyst, and international consultant. The average salary of a graduate after studying International Relations varies from $50,000-110,000 (INR 42-92 lakhs). 

The job of a diplomat or bureaucrat offers the highest salary ranging from $60,000 to $170,000 (INR 50 lakhs-1.4 crore). 

Political awareness, cultural competency, written and verbal communication, and global and intercultural sensitivity are some of the skills required in International Relations. 

Some of the top countries to study International Relations are the USA, the UK, France, Australia, and Germany. 

Yes, students can get placed after completing their course in International Relations. Some of the top recruiters are BBC, Amazon, Accenture, WTO, WHO, and other government or private organisations. 

If you are an aspirant looking to study at your dream university, book an appointment with AdmitX today and start your applications early to avail yourself of all the benefits.

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