Careers
Our degree courses provide a firm foundation for a wide range of careers. Many of our students take an active role in politics throughout their time in the school, and after.
Undergraduate careers
Our graduates develop careers across the private, public, and charitable sectors, including journalism, broadcasting, advertising, marketing and personnel.
Some go into party politics as parliamentary assistants, councillors in local government, and even MPs; others work for the civil service and in research and data analysis.
85.70% of undergraduates from the Faculty of Social Sciences secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual starting salary for these graduates was £29,197.
HESA Graduate Outcomes (2017-2021 cohorts). The Graduate Outcomes % is calculated using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time within the UK.
Recent graduate destinations
- Policy adviser to the civil service and local government
- Civil service fast stream graduate trainee
- Nottingham city councillor
- Case worker at legal aid centre
- Parliamentary assistant
- Polling coordinator
- AON
- BBC
- CBI
- Citibank
- Civil Service
- Dods
- House of Commons
- Liberal Democrats
- Perrett Laver
- Policy Exchange
- Unison
Postgraduate careers
The acquisition of a masters degree demonstrates a high level of knowledge in a specific field.
If you wish to continue with your studies after completing an MA programme, our staff offer research degree supervision in most of the major sub-areas of the discipline.
Career destinations for our postgraduates include economists, management consultants, researchers, statisticians and university lecturers.
Companies and organisations our graduates have gone to work for include:
- Channel 4
- the European Union
- GCHQ
- Reuters
- the Thailand National Police Department
66.7% of postgraduates from the School of Politics and International Relations secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual salary for these graduates was £23,444.*
* HESA Graduate Outcomes 2019/20 data published in 2022. The Graduate Outcomes % is derived using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time within the UK.
Lauren McGuan graduated from the School of Politics and International Relations in 2022. She talks to us about her career now as an assistant news editor.
Former School of Politics and International Relations' student Lydia Edmonds talks about her career in government in politics since she graduated in 2012.
Placements and internship programme
Our faculty placements and internship programme provides valuable work experience, self-confidence and a practical application of your studies.
Optional placement year
Many companies offer placements which will develop your skills in a real-world setting, and often result in a graduate job offer. An optional placement year is available for undergraduate students whose course does not have a compulsory placement or study abroad element. The university's Careers and Employability Service will support you in arranging this.
There is also a wide range of student testimonials available to view on the optional placement year video library.
Please be aware that study abroad, compulsory year abroad, optional placements/internships and integrated year in industry opportunities may change at any time for a number of reasons, including curriculum developments, changes to arrangements with partner universities or placement/industry hosts, travel restrictions or other circumstances outside of the university's control. Every effort will be made to update this information as quickly as possible should a change occur.
Careers and Employability Service
The Careers and Employability Service offers excellent careers guidance, information and resources, and holds workshops on CV writing, completing application forms and interview techniques. As a University of Nottingham graduate, you can receive lifelong support from the service. Find out more about careers in politics and international relations.
The Nottingham Advantage Award
The school runs its own politics specific module as part of the award-winning Nottingham Advantage Award which recognises and rewards your extracurricular activities. With a choice of over 200 modules across all our campuses, you can hone the key skills employers want and unlock your potential. You will leave university with demonstrable experience that sets you apart from your competitors.