Jump into the World of Foreign Affairs Journalism with an International Relations PGCert

International Relations PGCert graduates may find opportunities in the media and journalism field

Graduates of Queen Mary Online’s PGCert and PGDip International Relations programmes can find a wide range of engaging international careers in which to apply the critical thinking and research skills they have gained from their course.

One particularly interesting area which they may consider is international and foreign affairs journalism and media. There are a number of different roles in this sector available to ambitious professionals from many academic and professional backgrounds, and international relations can be a common area of study for those who pursue this particular career path.

Keep reading to find out more about how an International Relations PGCert could help you align yourself with a foreign relations journalism career.

An International Relations PGCert Lets You Brush Up Your Qualifications Fast

Part of what makes PGCert programmes so appealing to many students is that they are a very efficient path to developing (and being able to demonstrate) specialised knowledge in a particular field. The Queen Mary Online course, for instance, can be completed in just two semesters on a part-time basis. This can be particularly beneficial to those interested in pursuing a foreign relations journalism or media career for two reasons.

Get international relations qualifications from Queen Mary University of London fast, from anywhere in the world

First, as media and journalism changes in the digital age, specialisation in a particular subject area can make you a more appealing candidate to the growing number of niche publications. Secondly, journalism is an applied field, and one thing you will need to do in order to further your career is demonstrate your experience and skills with samples of your work.

With a flexible, part-time international relations course, you can work on your studies while you seek out professional opportunities and make connections in the journalism industry. Overall, online postgraduate certificate programmes make it easier for you to develop specialised knowledge as you hone your skills on your own time. 

The Skills from Your International Relations PGCert Are Applicable to Journalism

Pursuing an International Relations Postgraduate Certificate can do more for your foreign relations journalism career than provide specialised subject area knowledge. Studying international relations online at a top university like Queen Mary University of London will help you develop skills in critical thinking, analysis, research, and self-direction that are essential for any journalist or media professional. For example, the PGCert course includes a compulsory module on Contemporary World Politics in which students are required to explore different theoretical and analytical frameworks that are used to interpret different international events. This ability to see multiple sides of an issue and assess the interests and motivations of different parties is something that journalists covering foreign affairs must be able to do in order to craft an informative, well-balanced story.

The knowledge and skills from your PGCert can help you shape the international news cycle

Moreover, these skills can be applied in a number of media and journalistic roles, such as:

Media researchers: Many publications and broadcast outlets hire professionals with specialised subject area knowledge to conduct background research on complex foreign affairs issues.

Analysts or pundits: Individuals with specialised international relations knowledge often provide professional commentary, lending their perspectives to media outlets or publishing their own analysis of international affairs.

Foreign correspondents: Foreign correspondents need a nuanced understanding of the political and cultural contexts of the many places from which they report, which is an asset that students develop throughout their international relations studies.

Editors: Whether for a news outlet with a foreign bureau or a specialised foreign affairs publication, editors with journalistic drive and subject area expertise help deliver key international stories.

Regardless of your specific ambitions in the journalism and media sector, an International Relations PGCert can be a great way to add a specialised edge to your CV.

Are you ready to start writing the story of your foreign relations journalism career?

Contact QMUL Online to develop your subject knowledge and critical thinking skills in our International Relations PGCert programme.