Introduction

  • If you want to know the ​​International Relations, what this professional does, how much he earns, and what you need to study to graduate and work in this area, this text is for you.
  • The IR professional also called an internationalist, is usually interested in several areas of knowledge, always focusing on the scenarios of different countries.
  • Therefore, the degree guarantees the chance to work in various roles in different organizations.
  • There are many college options.
  • According to the federal government, the degree in International Relations is offered by 134 institutions in Brazil, including 33 public universities.
  • So, it’s time to find out what to study in International Relations, what the Faculty of International Relations is like, and much more!

Specialists in International Relations

Here’s an overview of key job roles within International Relations, including typical responsibilities:

Role Title Core Responsibilities Typical Sector
Diplomat / Foreign Service Officer Manage international diplomatic relations, negotiate treaties Government / Foreign Affairs
Intelligence Analyst Collect and analyze geopolitical data Defence / Security
Policy Analyst Advise on public policy, research implications Think Tanks / NGOs
International Lawyer Handle treaties, trade law, human rights Legal / UN Bodies
Global Development Consultant Advise on development & economic projects International Development
Program Officer Manage grant and program operations NGOs / Foundations

Roles and salaries vary by country, experience, and sector demand.

Salary Data & Costs

International Relations salaries vary globally. Below is a snapshot of average earnings for IR professionals in 2025 (latest available salary data).

Location Annual Salary (Approx.) Notes
United States $75,000 – $140,000+ Higher in DC & key hubs
United Kingdom £32,000 – £38,000 (~$40k–$47k) Based UK national data
New Delhi, India ₹7.5L – ₹8.1L (~$9k–$10k) Indian national city averages
Mumbai, India ₹7.3L – ₹8.5L (~$9k–$10.5k) Higher urban pay scale
Visakhapatnam, India ₹5.5L – ₹6.4L (~$6.5k–$8k) Lower urban pay scale
United States (Glassdoor)** $105k – $144k Glassdoor real submitted ranges

Note: Salaries differ wildly depending on experience, city, government vs private sector, and institutional prestige.

Top Study Locations (With Costs)

Choosing where to study IR impacts tuition, living costs, job opportunities, and work visas. Here’s a comparative breakdown of popular study destinations:

Country Avg Tuition/Year Living Cost/Year Post-Study Work Visa
United States $20,000–$50,000+ $12,000–$18,000 OPT work 1–3 yrs
United Kingdom £15,000–£35,000 £10,000–£15,000 2 yrs post-study work
Canada CAD 20,000–40,000 CAD 15,000–20,000 3 yrs post-study
Germany €10,000–20,000 €10,000–€12,000 18 months work visa
Australia AUD 25,000–45,000 AUD 15,000–25,000 2–4 yrs work rights

Tip: Tuition costs above are estimates and vary by university ranking, state, and scholarships.

International Relations — Global Comparison

United States

  • IR careers in Washington DC, New York and state capitals feature higher salaries due to government institutions, think tanks, and international NGOs.

  • Average salaries here often reach above $80,000 for mid-career professionals.

United Kingdom

  • Salaries are slightly lower in nominal terms (~£32k–£38k), but employment prospects are strong in London and international NGOs.

India

  • Salaries in India are substantially lower compared to Western countries due to market demand and private sector growth rates.

Reviews: What Graduates Say

While salary data looks promising, reality varies:

  • Some recent IR graduates report difficulty finding field-specific jobs, especially in Europe and India, leading them to take unrelated work.

  • Others find better success combining IR with additional skills, such as foreign languages or regional expertise.

Key takeaway: Career success in IR depends on networking, internships, and relevant sector experience, not just the degree itself.

International Relations: What Does It Do?

  • An International Relations professional analyzes global scenarios and works to facilitate understanding between agents from different countries.
  • Therefore, he works in different areas, such as politics, economics, culture, and commerce, and can work in governments, multinational companies, universities, and the third sector, among others.
  • As you may have noticed, this field has many career possibilities.
  • By knowing how to study International Relations, you greatly expand your horizons.
  • Therefore, it isn’t easy to summarize what a professional in this area does in a few words.
  • So, to make understanding the field of International Relations easier, let’s talk a little about the main work alternatives.

Exchange Agencies -International Relations,

The internationalist also has broad notions of economics and international law.

Therefore, he is qualified to work in exchange agencies authorized by the Central Bank, where he will have functions such as:

  • Conduct currency exchange operations
  • Study the variations of the currencies of each country’s stock exchange
  • Analyze financial market trends and investment risks.
  • Academic Career
  • Like many other degrees, the Bachelor of IR has the alternative of pursuing an academic career, working on research projects, or becoming a professor.
  • Alternatives to this are:
  • Specialization
  • Postgraduate studies
  • Master’s degree
  • Doctorate (after Masters)
  • Postdoctoral (after doctoral).
  • In others, completing a master’s degree is necessary to aim for a vacancy.
  • Let’s find out, next, what the Faculty of International Relations is like.
  • Notes on international relations will make in a notebook

Want To Know What To Study In International Relations?

Axis Description
Structuring Training Axis -International Relations The first axis concerns the theoretical content of International Relations. In addition to knowing the history of International Relations, the subjects cover security and defense, political economy, international law, and human rights. Students also learn about the workings of international institutions, regimes, and organizations.
Contemporary Political Science -International Relations The content taught in the second axis aims to provide basic notions that will serve as a foundation. In other words: they are subjects that prepare the ground for more practical learning. Among the knowledge studied are social sciences, economics, law, geography, statistics, ethics, and humanities. Teachers teach these contents in a way that helps the student also to understand the subjects of the structuring training axis.

Conclusion

Studying International Relations offers diverse, globally relevant career paths. While salaries vary significantly by location, sector, and experience, demand continues to grow — especially in policy analysis, diplomacy, intelligence, and global development roles. Strategic choices about study location, specialization, and supplementary skills greatly influence career success.

Whether you aim to work at the United Nations, in government, or in private policy firms, understanding global earnings, costs, and market trends is the first step toward a targeted IR career.

Disclaimer

Information above is based on publicly available salary and educational data as of early 2026. Actual salaries and costs vary with employer, location, economic conditions, and exchange rates.