International Relations or law: which should I study?
International Relations may suit you better if you are interested in global politics, diplomacy, conflict, security, and policy. Law may suit you better if you want to study legal rules, argument, institutions, and possible legal practice. Compare the course content, assessment, career pathways, and professional requirements in your country before deciding.
Key points
- International Relations can develop research, analysis, writing, and policy-focused skills across areas such as governments, international organisations, and non-governmental organisations.
- Law can involve detailed reading, interpretation, structured argument, and understanding how legal systems operate; becoming a practising lawyer may require additional jurisdiction-specific training or licensing.
- Review module lists, teaching and assessment methods, placement opportunities, graduate destinations, and any professional accreditation for the specific programmes.
Things to check
- The scope and structure of both subjects varies by university and country, and an International Relations degree does not by itself qualify someone to practise law.
- Career outcomes depend on further study, experience, skills, and local requirements rather than the degree title alone.