

International Relations

Generally, international relations introduces students to world politics and the social-historical impact of global development.
Students will often learn about the different political systems and governing policies around the world, understanding how they connect with a broad range of international issues.
When you’re searching for this programme around the world, you should keep in mind that universities structure their international relations programmes differently. You may first try searching any variation of ‘international relations’, ‘international affairs’, ‘international politics’, or ‘international studies’ to yield the most results.
Digging deeper into subject interests can help you in a number of ways:
-
Confirm whether this is (or isn't) something you would be interested in enough to want to study it at university either as the focus of your degree or a minor/elective
-
Give you some inspiration to use when creating your questions and topics for IA's (coursework) and your Extended Essay
-
Provide you with content for your university application writing in the future, enabling you to reflect on the things you've been doing to explore your interests in a way that is academically relevant to the course or institution you are applying for.
Useful Resources
Oxford University Research Blog | Blog | The University of Oxford's Blog on their current research. It includes articles on a huge range of topics but particularly relevant to the current global challenges. | Click Here > | |
Introduction to International Relations: theories and approaches, by Robert Jackson | Book | This highly successful textbook provides a systematic introduction to the principle theories in international relations. It combines incisive and original analysis with a clear and accessible writing style, making it the ideal textbook for all students taking an introductory course in international relations or international relations theory. The book focuses on the main theoretical traditions - Realism, Liberalism, International Society, and theories of international political economy. The third edition includes two new chapters on Social Constructivism and foreign policy. Emphasis is placed on the relationship between IR theory (academic knowledge of IR) and IR practice (real world events and activities of world politics). The authors carefully explain how particular theories organize and sharpen our view of the world. The book is supported by an Online Resource Centre. Student resources: Case studies with assignments Review questions Web links to theoretical debates, maps and world situations (NEW) Flashcard glossary (NEW) Lecturer resources: Figures and tables from the text (NEW) | St. Clares Library L25 327 JAC | |
The Globalization of World Politics: an introduction to international relations, by John Bailey & Steve Smith ed. | Book | Includes sections on the historical context, theories of world politics, structures and processes, international issues and globalization in the future. The third edition has been fully revised and updated in the light of recent developments in world politics, with new chapters on international law, terrorism and social constructivism. | St. Clares Library L25 327 BAY | |
Understanding International Relations, by Chris Brown & K Ainley | Book | The fourth edition of this well-established and popular text has been fully updated to take account of developments in the field of International Relations and recent world events. The authors provide systematic coverage of the classical concerns of International Relations theory -- power, national interest, foreign policy and war -- alongside analysis of the impact of globalization on security, governance and the world economy. A central concern throughout is to show how the theories the authors outline and assess can help make sense of the puzzle of current world events, from the rise of Russia and China, the downturn in the world economy and the changing role of America to the challenges of identity politics and human rights. | St. Clares Library L25 327 BRO | |
Summer Schools in Europe | Events | The most complete directory of summer courses in Europe. It includes courses for high school, undergraduate and graduate students, so ensure you read the descriptions to find options right for you. | Click Here > | |
Young Political Leader Programmes | Events | Conference | Gain an immersive experience of Politics alongside top professionals. Choose below either our Young Political Leader Weekend or our Young Political Leader Summer Experience. | Click Here > | |
Research from the University of Bristol | Journal Articles | Website | Explore cutting edge research from the different faculties and departments from the University of Bristol, including free access to their published journal articles. | Click Here > | |
Coursera | Online Course | Coursera is an online platform for distance learning. They have a range of free courses delivered by universities. Search in this section to find courses of interest to you, often these are courses you can follow at your own pace. | Click Here > | |
EdX | Online Course | The X Series courses on the EdX platform are free online courses delivered by universities and aimed at helping you explore areas of interest. | Click Here > | |
FutureLearn | Online Course | FutureLearn is a free online platform where universities from around the globe host FREE online courses you can undertake in your areas of interest. Browse courses by categories or use the search bar to find courses relevant to your interests | Click Here > | |
Middle East Centre | Podcast | The Middle East Centre, founded in 1957 at St Antony’s College is the centre for the interdisciplinary study of the modern Middle East in the University of Oxford. Centre Fellows teach and conduct research in the humanities and social sciences with direct reference to the Arab world, Iran, Israel and Turkey, with particular emphasis on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. However, during our regular Friday seminar series, attracting a wide audience, our distinguished speakers bring topics to light that touch on contemporary issues. | Click Here > | |
Oxford Martin School: Public Lectures and Seminars | Podcast | Recorded Lecture | Public Lectures and Seminars from the Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford. The Oxford Martin School brings together the best minds from different fields to tackle the most pressing issues of the 21st century. | Click Here > | |
Oxford Transitional Justice Research Seminars | Podcast | Recorded Lecture | Oxford Transitional Justice Research (OTJR) is an inter-disciplinary network of more than 100 Oxford staff and students working broadly on issues of transition in societies recovering from mass conflict and/or repressive rule. OTJR is dedicated to producing high-quality scholarship that connects intimately to practical and policy questions in transitional justice, focusing on the following themes: Prosecutions, Truth Commissions, Local and traditional practices, Compensation and reparations, Theoretical and philosophical debates in transitional justice, Institutional reform and Archives of tribunal and other transitional justice materials. The OTJR seminar programme is held weekly and reflects these aims. | Click Here > | |
University of Southampton Podcast Library | Podcast | Recorded Lecture | A library of the Lifelong Learning Talks and Study Days from the University of Southampton. They cover a wide range of topics but are organised by topic and easy to browse. | Click Here > | |
Making the Past Serve the Present: the Silk Road and China's Quest for Imperial Rejuvenation | Recorded Lecture | A Lecture from the Royal Society for Asian Affairs from Jan 2021 | Click Here > | |
Springpod Subject Spotlights | Recorded Lecture | On demand mini-lectures from top UK universities across a range of degree subject areas | Click Here > | |
Royal Society for Asian Affairs You | Video | Webinar | Recorded Lecture | A collection of webinars and recorded lectures from the UK Royal Society for Asian Affairs | Click Here > | |
HE+ | Website | Podcast | Blog | Video | The HE+ website has supercurricular resources created and written by Cambridge students and academics including challenging activities, engaging videos, reflective questions and much more. | Click Here > | |
LIS Learning Hub | Website | Webinar | Recorded Lecture | Blog | Podcast | This is an open source area full of webinars, articles, videos, short reads, mini-lectures, podcasts and more from the London Interdiscipinary school. | Click Here > |