In an era defined by shifting power balances, global crises and contested narratives, understanding how the world really works has never been more urgent. At Queen Mary University of London, studying politics and international relations means examining those forces from the heart of one of the world’s most influential capitals. Drawing on London’s proximity to government, international organisations, media and NGOs, Queen Mary offers students a front-row seat to contemporary political events while equipping them with the analytical tools to interpret them. From the geopolitics of climate change to the dynamics of war, peace and diplomacy, the programmes aim to turn headlines into deeper insight – and curiosity into expertise.
How Queen Mary shapes the next generation of political and diplomatic leaders
At the heart of London’s political and diplomatic ecosystem, Queen Mary turns classrooms into live strategy rooms. Students learn to decode global power shifts through a blend of theory, fieldwork and contact with serving diplomats, policymakers and campaigners. Seminars often mirror real-world briefing sessions, where students are challenged to respond to crises, draft negotiation positions and present to panels of experts. Learning is supported by research-active academics whose work regularly informs parliamentary debates, media coverage and international policy. This close link between scholarship and practice builds graduates who are not just informed observers, but confident actors in complex political environments.
Beyond formal teaching, the university curates a training ground for future ambassadors, analysts and advocates through a network of specialist centres, co-curricular activities and mentoring schemes.Students gain practical experience by engaging with:
- Policy labs that simulate government and multilateral decision-making.
- Diplomatic skills workshops on negotiation, speechwriting and crisis communication.
- London-based internships with NGOs, think tanks, parliamentarians and media outlets.
- Global exchanges that expose students to contrasting political systems and cultures.
| Opportunity | Key Skill Gained | Typical Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Model UN & diplomacy clinics | Multilateral negotiation | Confidence in high-stakes debate |
| Parliament & policy internships | Legislative insight | Professional political networks |
| Research assistant posts | Data & policy analysis | Evidence-based decision making |
| Campaign and advocacy projects | Public engagement | Real impact on civic issues |
Inside the curriculum key modules skills and real world case studies in politics and international relations
Across your degree, you move from grasping the foundations of political thought and global governance to dissecting the fast-moving crises that shape today’s headlines.Core modules immerse you in areas such as comparative politics, international security, European integration and global political economy, while specialist options let you dig into topics like migration, human rights or climate diplomacy. Teaching blends theory with practice: you might simulate a UN Security Council negotiation one week and unpack real diplomatic cables or campaign materials the next. Throughout, you sharpen essential skills – critical analysis, policy writing, data interpretation, and media literacy – which are threaded through essays, briefings, podcasts, and policy memos rather than conventional exams alone.
- Key skills: policy analysis, argumentation, research design, stakeholder mapping, cross-cultural communication
- Learning methods: small-group seminars, problem-based workshops, simulations, and hands-on data labs
- Assessment formats: policy briefs, case-study reports, position papers, group presentations
- Digital tools: basic statistical software, policy databases, visualization platforms
| Module | Real-World Case Study | Skill Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Global Governance | COVID-19 and the WHO | Institutional analysis |
| Security Studies | NATO and the war in Ukraine | Risk assessment |
| Politics of Progress | Debt relief in the Global South | Policy evaluation |
| British Politics | Brexit negotiations | Negotiation strategy |
| Media & Politics | Disinformation in elections | Critical media literacy |
You continuously apply what you learn to contemporary dilemmas: tracing how sanctions shape conflicts, modelling climate talks between major powers, or drafting a foreign policy brief for an imagined UK minister. London becomes an extension of the classroom, with opportunities to engage with think-tank events, NGOs and international organisations based in the city. These encounters feed into assessed projects where you respond to live debates on migration policy, tech regulation or democratic backsliding. By graduation, you’re not only fluent in political theory but practiced in turning complex data into clear, actionable insight – the currency of careers in diplomacy, journalism, public service and the wider policy world.
From Mile End to the United Nations work placements internships and global networking opportunities
From the first weeks on campus, you are encouraged to step beyond the seminar room and test your ideas in the institutions that shape world politics. Students compete for work placements across Whitehall, Parliament and City-based NGOs, while tailored support helps you secure internships with think tanks, media organisations and advocacy groups. Many of these experiences are credit-bearing, meaning your time drafting policy briefs or shadowing diplomats feeds directly back into your academic progress. Careers advisers, academic mentors and alumni panels work together to open doors and demystify the paths into government, global business and civil society.
London’s international character is amplified by Queen Mary’s own worldwide partnerships, turning everyday study into a launchpad for global networking.Visiting speakers include UN officials,international lawyers,conflict mediators and development economists,often staying on after public lectures for small-group discussions and informal Q&A. Students are also encouraged to take part in model diplomacy forums, international study trips and virtual collaborations with partner universities. These connections are reinforced through events such as:
- Policy Labs: co-designed projects with NGOs and think tanks
- Alumni in Power: networking evenings with graduates in diplomacy and politics
- Global Skills Workshops: training in negotiation, speechwriting and cross-cultural communication
| Opportunity | Location | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Parliamentary Shadowing Scheme | Westminster, London | Legislative process & policy research |
| NGO Policy Internship | Global South partners | Human rights & development |
| UN-Linked Study Visit | Geneva or New York | Multilateral diplomacy in practice |
How to choose your pathway at Queen Mary tailored routes advice and funding tips for future policymakers
Designing a degree that fits your ambitions starts with being honest about the kind of policymaker you want to become.Are you driven by big-picture global challenges, or do you see yourself reshaping local institutions from the inside? At Queen Mary, you can prioritise international security, public policy analysis, or political theory and ethics, and then layer in options from economics, law, or history to refine your focus.A good rule of thumb is to choose modules that sharpen both your analytical skills (like statistics,research methods,political economy) and your practical policy toolkit (such as policy evaluation,lobbying and advocacy,or negotiation in international organisations).
- For future civil servants: combine British politics, public administration, and law-focused modules.
- For NGO and advocacy roles: focus on human rights, global justice, and development policy.
- For international career paths: lean into diplomacy, security, and regional studies.
- For research and think tanks: prioritise methods, data skills, and political economy.
| Goal | Suggested Route | Key Funding Angle |
|---|---|---|
| UK Policy Adviser | Public policy + law options | Look for civil service-linked bursaries |
| International NGO | Global governance + development | Target scholarships with social impact criteria |
| Diplomatic Service | Security, regions, languages | Explore country-specific funding schemes |
| Policy Research | Methods + political economy | Consider research council and think tank grants |
Financing your studies is part of your strategic planning. Beyond standard student loans, explore merit-based scholarships, widening participation awards, and departmental bursaries that reward engagement with public affairs. Many aspiring policymakers also build experience and offset costs through paid internships, part-time roles in Parliament or local government, and research assistant posts on faculty projects. When choosing your modules, check how they align with these opportunities: some offer structured links to external partners, making it easier to turn classroom learning into real-world policy experience while you study.
Insights and Conclusions
As global power balances shift and new crises test the limits of diplomacy, the need for clear-eyed analysis and informed leadership has rarely been greater. At Queen Mary University of London, the study of politics and international relations is not an abstract exercise, but a direct engagement with the forces reshaping societies, economies and institutions worldwide.
Grounded in rigorous scholarship and enriched by the university’s position in one of the world’s political and financial capitals, students are encouraged to question, to investigate and to connect theory with reality. For those looking to understand – and ultimately influence – the currents driving global change, Queen Mary offers not just a degree, but a vantage point on the world.
