Study international relations in London
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London is a unique multicultural city with 300 languages spoken and students drawn from 200 nations. What better environment to study international relations?
“I was in my office when the President of Sierra Leone called and invited me to take up the position of Ambassador to the United States,” recalls Bockari Stevens. “Naturally, I was honoured and immediately accepted.”
Fleeing civil war in Sierra Leone, Bockari arrived in London 15 years ago as a refugee. He found work and began studying at the University of East London's (UEL) MA Refugee Studies.
After graduating, Bockari continued working in London until, in January 2008, he received the unexpected phone call from the President of Sierra Leone. He looks back at his time at UEL with affection.
“It was a wonderful experience,” he says. “I was able to meet people from so many backgrounds, many similar to mine.” It is a spectacular story but by no means an isolated one because when it comes to studying international relations courses, there are few better cities to choose than London.
London's position as a global city ensures it attracts the best quality teaching staff . What's more, there are a wealth of leading think tanks based in the capital with strong links to London universities.
Bodies like Chatham House, considered one of the world's most influential foreign policy think tanks and the International Institution for Strategic Studies, the world's leading authority on political-military conflict, have accessible specialist libraries. Students can apply to become members of these bodies, which gives them the opportunity to attend high level talks and debates.
International relations courses cover a wide area and are taught in a number of universities in London. The University of Westminster's Centre for the Study of Democracy (CSD) is a postgraduate teaching and research centre led by a team of internationally renowned scholars.
Last year the influential New Statesman magazine said, “Rising media interest in CSD has ensured its reputation as a centre of original and excellent research unlike any other in Britain. It is well known for its interdisciplinary work, and research concentrates on the interplay of states, cultures and societies.”
Westminster also hosts the Diplomatic Academy of London where regular insights from senior government officials from the UK and overseas are shared with students from all over the world. Recent attendees to diplomatic courses include a group of Beijing police officers who came to Westminster for a one year MA course in International Liaison and Communication.
University College London's (UCL) international relations courses attract both graduates and individuals who are mid-career, looking for change or a sabbatical from work to gain some academic knowledge.
This year's intake includes a member from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry and last year's included a member of the Chinese trade negotiating team. Course director, Dr David Hudson said, “The programme itself is very innovative and popular.
We seek to bring public policy and practitioner perspectives together within an academic environment. In addition to standard courses, we get students to complete modules in policy formulation and public ethics.
They can then specialize through options in foreign policy, international organisation, international security, international development, international law, justice and human rights.”
Posted: Tuesday 9 February 2010