International Relations Courses: Admission 2024, Fees, Syllabus, Entrance Exams, Top Colleges, Career Scope

International Relations is the study of the interconnectedness of Politics, Economics and Law on a global level. The field is all about developing and maintaining relations between countries to ensure peace and prosperity prevail in every part of the world. The topics covered by its curriculum include viewpoints on humanity, development, poverty, cross-border activities, etc. Government agencies that deal with international relations and issues may hire graduates of international relations courses. While focusing on issues like the environment, trade, security, economy, politics and human rights, among other things, their responsibilities would be to ensure good relations and peace between states.

To pursue an International Relations course at the undergraduate level, you should have completed class 12, preferably in Humanities subjects. For a course at the postgraduate level, you should have completed a bachelor’s degree with specialisations such as political science, sociology, history, cultural anthropology, and related subjects.

If you are planning to study International Relations then let me tell you that it is very interesting and dynamic .  You will learn important insights into the complexities of our interconnected world by exploring the particulars of international politics, economics and social dynamics. This knowledge develops a feeling of global citizenship in addition to providing you with the analytical capabilities to navigate global difficulties. Additionally, earning a degree in international relations (IR) provides you access to a wide range of job options in sectors like academics, government, NGOs, journalism, international organisations and diplomacy. Beyond job opportunities, studying IR fosters professional and personal development by improving research, communication and critical thinking abilities. In the end, choosing International Relations gives youthe opportunity to make a significant impact on resolving urgent global concerns and constructing a society that is more peaceful and prosperous. 

The ability of International Relations to offer a thorough understanding of world politics is the main justification for studying IR.

Hope this helps! All the best

Traditionally, the study of international relations primarily dealt only with political history. But today, a standard Masters programme in International relations is a dynamic mix of political science, economics, foreign policy, anthropology and sociology. Students pursuing this course are also encouraged to take up an additional foreign language. Students who finish this course go on to have careers as diplomats, teachers, researchers and analysts for multinational companies. Many top foreign correspondents and journalists pursue this course. Students also choose to pursue further studies abroad or work in NGOs. Students planning to study the course abroad should do extensive research before narrowing down on a school. Some schools require candidates to have prior knowledge of economics before applying. Hope this information helps. Please feel free to revert. Wish you luck.

International Relations can be called as an interdisciplinary course. This indicates that 10+2 in any stream is accepted as eligibility for admission to graduation in International Relations. This is only the technical eligibility. This is an out of the box course and I suggest only those students who have interest and passion in this and other related subjects only should seek admission in this course. As in this course whole gamut of issues and subjects related to this like politics, sociology, military studies, currency, trade deficits, economics, etc. are also taken up for studies, students should have interest in learning all these diverse subjects under one roof. However let me assure you all that it normally is a wholesome experience and would be cherished forever. To conclude I would say that, even if eligibility is only 10+2 in any stream, students should have passion for obtaining knowledge.

The minimum percentage required for admission in DU for MA in Political Science is 50 to 55%. However, maintaining a good academic record can provide you with an edge over other candidates and help you secure admission in Delhi University and its affiliated colleges.

Yes, International Relations is a subdomain under Political Science. The scope of Political Science is vast. It can study about political structures, political thoughts and philosophies at a global level or restrict its area of study to smaller political entities. It is essential for the students of International Relations or International Studies to understand basic concepts of Political Science. 

The preparation for UGC NET depends on various factors such as familiarity with the exam pattern, depth of knowledge, preparation time etc. Students appearing for UGC NET must be familiar with the exam pattern and syllabus. Knowing the complete structure helps plan the preparation more effectively. It's advisable for students to start preparing for the UGC NET exam from university days. Maximum topics can be covered within the syllabus of the central universities. Plan in such a way that the candidate can cover all the topics. 

Here are some common mistakes to avoid in the CUET PG 2024 exam:

• Not reading the instructions carefully. Before you start the exam, be sure to read the instructions carefully so that you understand what is expected of you.
• Not managing your time effectively. The CUET PG exam is a timed exam, so it is important to manage your time effectively. This means pacing yourself so that you have enough time to complete all of the questions, and it also means not spending too much time on any one question.
• Not guessing. If you don't know the answer to a question, guess. There is no negative marking in the CUET PG exam, so you have nothing to lose by guessing.
• Making careless mistakes. When you are answering the questions, be careful not to make any careless mistakes. This means double-checking your work and making sure that you have answered the question correctly.

Some of the best books in International Relations are:

Foreign Policy is a set of guidelines and framework followed by a nation to deal with other nations. This foreign policy can be idealistic or realistic and it serves as a translation of the thoughts and believes of the people in power. It predominantly determines how the people of a nation are represented at an international platform. Foreign Policy is closely linked with the economy, trade and soft power of the nation.

Several colleges conduct placement sessions for the final year students of International Relations courses. Placements sessions are usually offered in advanced courses such as MA International Relations and PhD in International Relations.

Given below are some renowned colleges that offer lucrative packages during placement drives:

The fee structure is an important criteria which students like you consider while taking admission in International Relations courses. Here are some colleges with affordable fee structures:

 No, it is not tough to make a career in International Relations but one needs to plan it beforehand as a selection of right the subjects for graduation is extremely important. The field of International Relations is open to students from all backgrounds, but it will be more beneficial to study Humanities subjects such as Sociology,  Political Science,  History,  and Cultural Anthropology.

Career options available in this field include International Relations Officer, Public Relations Officer, Communication Specialist, Translator, Advisor, Consultant, Political Analyst, Foreign Affairs Analyst, Foreign Affairs Specialist, Foreign Affairs Officer, Archivist, Economist, Diplomat and Professor. Anybody who has a keen interest in world politics and policies can opt for a career in International Relations. In this field, interest is the main requirement because it requires several years of theoretical study. To make a career in this field, one should also opt for learning a foreign language.

International Relations as a subject is taught at academic level in central universities. Some of the private universities have also started to offer courses in International Relations. Check below the admission process:

Choose University/College: The first step is to search for colleges or universities which are offering courses in Political Science/International Relations. Check the fees, the seats offered, eligibility criteria of the preferred course.

Apply for Course: Check the admission/application dates for the desired academic year and apply to the university. Make sure to apply on the official website of the university/college only and not through any other website. If the application forms are to be filled in offline, make sure to purchase the form from a verified source.

Admission Process: Universities and colleges either conduct entrance exams for admission or offer admission through merit. For postgraduate courses, the candidate will have to appear for an entrance exam.

Selection and Admission: Selected and qualified candidates make the merit list. The student has to get the desired rank and percentage, to be eligible for admission. Some universities may conducted Personal Interview for selection of candidates for final admission.