International Studies

Do the problems, challenges, and opportunities of our inter-connected world make you want to understand more about the contemporary international political, economic and cultural landscape?

Are you interested in a career where you engage directly with real-world issues in an international setting – perhaps working in the civil or diplomatic service, overseas development, journalism, the private sector or research? Do you want to be a ‘good global citizen’ with a well-rounded knowledge of the international agenda and the challenges that are increasingly important to our future?

Either way, taking an international studies course or qualification with the OU is an excellent place to start. You’ll gain a broad appreciation of key aspects of the global order, as well as the dynamics of the international system; cultural diversity; world poverty and inequality; and international institutions. You’ll also gain a critical understanding of what is being done to address these challenges.