As a student in the School of Politics and International Relations, and with all the research, analytical and communication skills you’ll have developed during your time at Queen Mary, there’s a huge range of careers open to you upon graduation, both inside and outside the political world. And just to ensure you’re really well prepared, throughout your time at Queen Mary, you will have access to an annual careers programme which includes, among other things, appointments with a careers consultant for advice and support; tailored workshops and events to help you identify career options, train you in recruitment and selection methods, and offer you networking opportunities; employers’ events and online access to openings with smaller and specialist employers; and enterprise support for people interested in running their own commercial or social enterprise.
Given all this, it’s not surprising that our graduates go on to work in a wide variety of careers. Some apply their degree knowledge directly, entering sectors such as government, charity, lobbying and public affairs, while others work in policy research, campaigning, or the commercial arena. Your time with us will equip you with all sorts of transferable skills that are valued by employers – politics, after all, is all about logical and critical thinking, and making sense of complicated issues and relationships.
15 months after graduating, 96% of SPIR graduates are employed or in further study, with 64% in Highly Skilled Jobs (Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2023). The broad range of skills gained through this course, coupled with significant extracurricular opportunities, has enabled our students to move into all sorts of fields. The following are just a few examples:
We have a dedicated Careers Liaison Tutor (CLT) within the School and we work closely with the Careers and Enterprise Team at Queen Mary. Careers and Enterprise provides information, advice and guidance to Queen Mary students and recent graduates (up to two years) on topics ranging from choosing a career to finding work experience and starting your own business. In addition, we run an exciting programme of career events, including networking with key employers and our successful alumni and we actively encourage student placements. View the full range of services and resources available to students