5 best countries to study international relations that aren’t US, UK, or Australia

It takes guts to pursue a career in international affairs.

Diplomats, political consultants, intelligence analysts — after going to the best countries to study international relations, these are highly sought-after careers that many graduates get themselves into, and it’s risky business. 

According to International Relations Careers, a site run by international relations students, recent graduates and young professionals who studied the subject, students working in dangerous territories ridden with conflict “may face security risks associated with the political violence of terrorism.” One example of this is journalists who document foreign conflict, heightening their chances of encountering physical danger.

Yet, with all the dangers a degree in international relations can lead to, many still don’t take the degree seriously. They’ll say it’s too broad, it’s useless, or it’s got little to no employment prospects.

Perhaps the most significant job in international relations is a career with the United Nations. Source: AFP

“You will lose out a lot of business/consulting jobs to MBAs, policy stuff to JDs, and political jobs to people from the representatives’s district or who have connections,” this Reddit user said. “You can definitely find work, but it may take a while, and the pay will be lower than you’d expect.”

Another Reddit user adds, “I’m an American, and I feel like my International Studies Masters is basically an obsolete degree that was built for the mid to late 20th century in a Cold War context where the country was trying to build a more extensive foreign policy apparatus to counter Communism.”

While this may be the reality for some, there’s no doubting the value an international relations degree can bring either.

“It was a passion for understanding how the world actually worked, and the fact that everything is constantly changing made it so much more intriguing,” says this Reddit user. “I also loved learning the ins and outs of other cultures and political systems, especially because you can never really stop learning more.”

A degree in international relations covers the relationship between nations and global actors such as non-governmental organisations (NGOs), political parties, and bureaucracies. You’ll dive into foreign policy and discover how global politics impacts various issues worldwide, like poverty, climate change, and more.

In short, it’s a field of work that facilitates change — and the dangers that come with it.

Not all jobs that stem from this degree are dangerous, though the best countries to study international relations will have programmes that prepare you for everything.  Source: AFP

There’s a reason why the US has a dedicated Foreign Affairs Day in May, in honour of domestic and overseas corps who’ve dedicated their lives to serving the country and those who’ve died while at it. In 2020, 250 individuals who lost their lives in service were honoured with their names forever inscribed on the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) memorial plaques.

As AFSA Vice President John Naland put it: “Diplomacy is a dangerous occupation.”

Other countries follow suit.

In Australia and New Zealand, Anzac Day on April 25 is when the nations honour their servicemen and women “who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations” and “the contribution and suffering of all those who have served.”

Foreign policy is no walk in the park, but for those looking to shape-shift the world to become a better place for all — the risk is worth it. Graduates often wind up with job roles that influence government policy, giving them a chance to foster better living for minority groups. 

Just look at graduates of the London School of Economics and Political Science‘s Department of International Relations, for example. They’ve gone to organisations like C40 Cities, which binds a global network of city mayors to take action against the climate crisis, and published books like “Ethics of Political Commemoration” which takes inspiration from the author’s learnings at LSE.

That’s not to say that being a literal diplomat is all that you can do with international relations, however. The field is broad enough that you’d be able to exercise your skills in many ways.

Here are examples of five careers in international relations, according to Immerse Education:

• International policy analyst – US$41,720
• International lawyer – US$68,312
• Intelligence analyst – US$36,380
• Political consultant –US$42,647
• Interpreter – US$31,436

5 best countries to study international relations that aren’t the big three

Italy

As a founding member of the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), Italy has been growing as a leader in international affairs with a newfound commitment to “multilateralism” — the cooperation of multiple countries and parties towards a common goal.

They’ve been peacekeeping with several East European and African countries through their position in the United Nations (UN). In 2024, they took on the Group of Seven (G7) presidency, an informal bloc of seven industrialised democracies to discuss global policy issues. The countries include France, Canada, Germany, Japan, the UK, and the US.

So, Italy’s proactiveness in foreign policy positions them as one of the best countries to study international relations.

Top institutions like John Cabot University, the University of Bologna, and the American University of Rome offer cutting-edge undergraduate programmes in the international relations field, while the University of Milan, a public research university in Italy and one of the largest in Europe, offers them at the postgraduate level of study.

South Korea is one of the most economically developed countries in the world and one of the best countries to study international relations. Source: AFP

South Korea

You can’t spell innovation and economic development without thinking of South Korea. With low unemployment rates, rapid economic growth, cutting-edge technological innovation, and more — it’s no wonder they’re placed sixth on the Global Innovation Index 2024.

South Korea’s prowess doesn’t stop there, however. They’ve maintained diplomatic relations with 191 countries, and place 13th out of 66 countries on the Lowy Institute Global Diplomacy Index 2024.

But there’s no talking about South Korea and international relations without mentioning the looming North Korea. As the only non-nuclear weapon state that signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and cheated on it, saying that tensions remain between the countries would be an understatement.

In January 2024, the Supreme Leader of North Korea, Kim Jong Un, declared that the country would no longer seek reconciliation and reunification with South Korea. “I believe that it is a mistake that we must no longer make to deal with the people who declare us as ‘the main enemy’ and seek only opportunities for ‘[our] regime collapse’,” said Kim to the state-run news agency Korean Central News Agency.

The threat is clear as day, but there might remain a solution yet — this time through key players in the field of international relations to bridge this ever-widening gap between the countries.

“As South Korea faces increasing tensions with North Korea, ASEAN presents an opportunity for mediation,” writes Le Nhu Mai, Research Fellow at the Institute for Foreign Policy and Strategic Studies, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam.

“To defuse tensions, South Korea should foster discussions concerning regional peace and stability with key ASEAN players. Vietnam has emerged as a potential mediator due to its existing relations with North Korea and its role as a coordinator for ASEAN–South Korea relations in recent years.”

With that said, one way to play a part is to understand the ins and outs of the issue at hand, and there’s no place better to do that than in South Korea itself. As a powerhouse in higher education and one of the most educated countries in the world with consistent academic excellence, making a historic change starts here. 

For those interested in international relations, Seoul National University, Yonsei University, Kyung Hee University, and Ewha Womans University are some of the most prestigious names in the game.

France has historically been actively involved in international affairs — proven through their steadfast presence in global alliances like the EU, UN, and NATO. Source: AFP

France

When you first think of France, it’s easy to get lost in their culture: home to the city of love, patisserie art, luxurious fashion houses, and a long history of artists. But if you look beyond the surface, you’ll find that’s not all there is to their identity.

The French are as immersed in politics as they are in their wine and cheese, if not more. The country is a founding member of the UN and NATO, and even shares joint leadership of the EU with Germany. 

They’re one of the best countries to study international relations, as active and tumultuous as the environment can be at times.

Sciences Po is one of the most prestigious universities in the world, often coming just behind Harvard University in the ranks, and they offer several master’s programmes under the Paris School of International Affairs.

Other institutions to check out include the Hautes Études Internationales et Politiques (HEIP) and the University of London Institute in Paris.

Germany is one of the best countries to study international relations. You might even end up working in the chancellor’s office in the capital of Berlin, Germany, which is also known as the “washing machine.” Source: AFP

Germany

Since the end of World War II, Germany has reformed itself through time into a leader of foreign policy. They’ve placed themselves ahead of industry development, having garnered the largest economy in Europe, and the third-largest in the world as of 2024.

They’ve got strong alliances with major countries like the US and France, and they’ve been providing military support to Ukraine since 2022 as a member of the EU and NATO.

Plus, not only is Germany one of the best countries to study international relations, education in Germany is also famously known to cost little to nothing. Universities like Technische Universität (TU) Dresden, Freie Universität Berlin, and the Humboldt University of Berlin host some of the renowned master’s programmes for the topic in the country.

Indian soldiers march during the country’s 76th Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26, 2025. Source: AFP

India

As the world’s largest democracy, India has been growing their global presence across foreign policy. Vast development has been made for the South Asian country, with rampant economic growth, international trade, military arsenal, and diplomatic ties with major countries.

The country’s relations with its neighbours — primarily Pakistan and China — have long since been a topic of global interest. Pursuing a degree in international relations here means experiencing two different ends of a spectrum — the hostilities between the India-Pakistan relationship and the strained outlooks with the India-China relationship.

“Both India and Pakistan face significant common challenges, ranging from poverty to environmental issues such as global warming and water scarcity,” writes Dr. Syed Adnan Bukhari and Dr. Khurram Abbas on The Diplomat. Dr. Bukhari is an assistant professor in the Homeland Security Programme of the Faculty of Resilience, Rabdan Academy in the United Arab Emirates, and Dr. Abbas is the director of the India Study Centre at the Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad.

“Despite these shared challenges, historic baggage, mistrust, and strident political narratives will impede both countries from entering into a constructive dialogue for resumption of a trade and diplomatic relationship. Given the existing hostility between the two countries, rapprochement remains a distant possibility. Instead, a tense standoff between New Delhi and Islamabad will likely continue to undermine the peace and stability of South Asia,” they write.

Meanwhile, India and China have “an interest in maintaining strategic communications to avoid any inadvertent flare-ups which could distract them from their peaceful rise,” writes Antoine Levesques, Senior Fellow for South and Central Asian Defence, Strategy, and Diplomacy at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), a world-leading authority on global security, political risk, and military conflict.

“One possible route is to establish new confidence-building measures,” Levesques continues. “Only the two countries, between themselves, can make that determination of the need – or not – for any form of new ‘guardrails’, before relaying this to the rest of the world. “

So, it’s no wonder that the pool of career opportunities in India is widening when it comes to international affairs. Whether it’s with the government, advising private sector companies, getting involved with NGOs such as the Smile Foundation or Child Rights and You, and more — you might just find your footing right here.

Jawaharlal Nehru University holds one of the most prestigious master’s programmes in India in international relations under the School of International Studies.

Other top schools in the country that offer undergraduate degrees in the field include the Institute of Integrated Learning in Management (IILM) University and the O.P. Jindal Global University.