Foreign Policy

Foreign Policy is a set of objectives and activities that guides a country in maintaining relationship with other countries or global partners. It includes framing and practicing of administrative, defence and business alliances between countries. Foreign Policy is mainly influenced by domestic considerations. Being an administrative responsibility, Foreign Policy as a career is open for civil servants and experts from the field of Humanities, Economics and Social Sciences. One often comes across articles and essays on international relations written by Foreign Policy experts. These experts are those who have spent a considerable time in studying international relations and its branches such as war and defence, diplomacy, international trade, law, peace missions, social development, history and civil society.

The educational journey of Foreign Policy begins typically at postgraduate level with courses in International Relations. These courses prepare an individual for jobs and career in diplomacy, foreign relations and government embassies.

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Eligibility Criteria for Foreign Policy

• Eligibility criteria for pursuing International Relations and Foreign Policy is graduation, preferably in Humanities stream.
• Students with bachelor's degree in Sociology, Political Science, History, Cultural Anthropology can take up International Relations or Foreign Policy at postgraduate level.
• Some Foreign Policy courses are also available at undergraduate level.

Foreign Policy Courses

In India, one can pursue Foreign Policy at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The field falls in Arts and Humanities stream. Some of the popular Foreign Policy Courses are listed below:

• BA International Relations
• BA Diplomacy and Foreign Policy
• BSc International Relations
• MA International Relations
• MA Diplomacy and Foreign Policy
• MSc International Relations Diploma
• Diploma in International Affairs and Diplomacy
• PhD in International Relations
• PhD in Foreign Policy

Foreign Policy Syllabus

Foreign Policy and International Relations are mainly the study of State, Sovereignty, Power/Hegemony, National interest, Security, Anarchy, Civil Society, Citizenship, Identity, Gender, Globalisation, Poststructuralism and Green Politics. International Relations syllabus for a career in Foreign Policy includes the following subjects and topics:

Top Universities Offering Foreign Policy Courses in India

In most of the universities, the foreign policy course is offered at postgraduate level. The top universities in India to pursue foreign policy courses are:

• Jawaharlal Nehru University
• Jadavpur University
• Delhi University
• Christ University
• OP Jindal Global University
• Mansarovar Global University
• Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University

Among foreign universities, the leading names are Stanford University, Yale University, Columbia University, Harvard University and London School of Economics.  

Foreign Policy Career Prospects and Job Roles

A foreign policy course can lead to jobs in international organisations (UN, EU, UNDP, WHO, WEF, WWF, etc.), non-government organisations, banking and accounting services, state and central government, print and electronic media. However, Foreign Policy is a challenging field. Unlike other career fields, one has to toil hard to reach at a higher level. The most popular pathway in India to make a career in Foreign Policy is by joining Indian Foreign Services (IFS) through Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Let’s take a look at some of the foreign policy career options:

Career Options in the field of Foreign Policy

• Diplomat: One needs to clear the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam with high ranks to be appointed in the Indian Foreign Services (IFS). This is a high-level post, which requires the individual to stay connected with other countries, maintain diplomatic ties and manage international relations.
• Intelligence Specialist: As an Intelligence Specialist, the individual works with government and defence agencies of the country collecting data and maintains intelligence databases, files and statistical reports required for missions.
• Political Analyst: A political analyst has the responsibility of researching, analysing and advising political leaders/governments on public/foreign policies. Political Analysts are hired by governments, political parties and media houses.
• Lobbyist: As a lobbyist, the individual is supposed to represent and mediate on behalf of an organisation or institution in front of the government of other countries to strike business, defence or diplomatic deals.
• International lawyer: If one has a degree/diploma or certification in International Law and Relations, they can become an international lawyer. The clientele will include international organisations, international banks and countries.
• IR Communication Specialist: You can work as a communication specialist in international and domestic non-profit organisations.
• Professor/Lecturer: Those who are inclined toward teaching can appear for National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) for junior research fellowship (JRF) and lectureship conducted by University Grants Commission (UGC) for research and scholarships which will pave way to teaching roles in colleges and universities.