How To Get Work Experience For Politics & International Relations

Breaking into politics or international relations (IR) can feel daunting. It’s harder if you don’t have insider contacts in Westminster or with non-governmental organisations (NGOs). 

If you’re wondering how to get work experience for Politics & International Relations, there’s good news. There are plenty of open routes. You could volunteer locally, try a student project, or take part in online schemes. Each option gives you valuable experience to strengthen your CV and university applications.

This guide explains why work experience matters, the main types available, and how to apply. It also highlights alternatives if you can’t get a formal internship and shows how everyday jobs can build useful transferable skills.

Key Takeaways

• You can gain experience in politics and IR through internships, volunteering, part-time roles, or online opportunities.

• Experience strengthens your applications by showing commitment, skills, and awareness of real-world issues.

• You don’t need special contacts. Apply directly to MPs, NGOs, or think tanks, or use your school or university careers service.

• Even unrelated jobs help. They build skills like teamwork, research, and communication.

Why Work Experience Matters for Politics & International Relations

Work experience proves you’re serious about studying and working in this field. It shows that you’ve looked beyond the classroom to see how politics and international relations (IR) work in real life.

Work experience also brings clear benefits:

• Strengthens applications: It shows drive and motivation. You get concrete examples of how this world works. These are very useful for personal statements, interviews, and job applications.

• Builds networks: Even a short placement in a local council office or MP’s constituency team helps you meet people who can give advice and open doors.

• Boosts confidence: Seeing how political and international organisations work makes the subject less abstract and more practical.

Types of Work Experience You Can Pursue

Internships and Placements

Internships are structured roles that give you daily exposure to policy, research, or political casework. They can run during term time, over the summer, or as longer graduate opportunities.

• Think tanks include:

  • Chatham House (opens in a new tab) offers six-month internships in research and operations

  • The Institute for Government (opens in a new tab) runs paid graduate internships

  • Royal United Services Institute (opens in a new tab) (RUSI) takes applications for research support

• Human rights and NGOs:

  • Amnesty International (opens in a new tab) regularly lists internships and roles on its careers portal

• Parliament and MPs’ offices: 

  • Opportunities often appear on the W4MP Jobs board (opens in a new tab) 

  • Some MPs also take local students for short placements in their constituency offices

• UK Parliament schemes: 

  • Parliament (opens in a new tab) runs work-experience programmes, including virtual options, on its careers page

These roles are competitive. But they give you direct insight into how political and international organisations operate. That makes them one of the most valuable forms of experience you can get.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering is often easier to access than internships. It can be just as valuable for building skills and experience. It also shows initiative and interest in real-world issues.

Examples include:

• Campaigning: Local political parties often need volunteers during election season. You might leaflet, help at phone banks, or canvass door-to-door.

• Charities and advocacy groups: Groups such as Oxfam (opens in a new tab) and Refugee Action (opens in a new tab) offer volunteer roles linked to both global and local political issues.

• Youth programmes: Youth-led schemes such as the UK Youth Parliament (opens in a new tab) let students debate and campaign on issues that matter to young people. 

• University experiences: Student life also creates opportunities to gain political and IR experience. You could get involved in your Students’ Union, join student societies, or stand in student elections. At universities like Royal Holloway (opens in a new tab), Politics and IR students have also gained experience in this way. 

Chloe (opens in a new tab), a Politics and IR student at Royal Holloway, explained: “I really enjoyed working with organisations that align with my values. It’s rewarding to know you’re contributing to something bigger than yourself.”

Part-Time or Local Roles

Not every opportunity is in Westminster. Local roles are often easier to access and can show you how politics and public services work.

Examples in the UK include:

• MP constituency offices: Many MPs offer short placements or assistant roles in their local offices. Tasks often involve admin or casework. Some are advertised on W4MP Jobs.

• Local councils: Councils may provide work experience or shadowing in areas like community engagement, policy, or communications.

• Citizens Advice: Volunteering with a local Citizens Advice (opens in a new tab) branch can mean admin, client support, or research and campaigning. All of these build skills useful for politics and IR.

Simple tasks like answering emails, updating case files, or helping at events develop key skills. You’ll improve communication, organisation, and problem-solving - all valued in politics and IR.

Online and Remote Opportunities

Not all work experience has to be in person. Online and remote roles are now common. They offer a flexible way to gain experience while at school or university.

Examples include:

• Virtual internships: Some international NGOs and think tanks offer online placements. You can help with research or communications from home.

• Online research projects: Joining digital forums, surveys, or academic projects gives you hands-on experience in analysis and data collection.

• Model UN and debate competitions: Many now run online. They let you practise diplomacy, negotiation, and public speaking skills with an international group of peers.

These opportunities can be useful if you don’t live near London. They also fit well around your studies.

How to Apply for Politics & IR Work Experience

Opportunities in politics and international relations are competitive. But a clear and proactive approach makes a big difference. Here are some reliable ways to find placements:

Approach your local MP or councillor directly

• Most MPs are open to short placements in their constituency offices, especially for local students. Email politely with your CV and explain why you’re interested.

• Councillors may also welcome shadowing requests, especially in smaller councils where teams want to support young people.

Check NGO and charity websites

• Organisations such as Amnesty International UK, Oxfam, and Refugee Action often advertise volunteering and internship roles.

• Think tanks like Chatham House and the Institute for Government also post openings on their careers pages.

Use specialist jobs boards and careers services

• W4MP Jobs is the main site for roles in MPs’ offices and related organisations.

• University and school careers services often have exclusive listings or links to alumni in the sector.

Send a speculative email

• Not every role is advertised. If you admire a team’s work, send a short email outlining your skills and interest.

• Mention something recent they’ve published or campaigned on to show you’ve done your research.

• Attach a clear CV and short cover letter. You can use our guide on how to write the perfect work experience cover letter for tips.

Check the details before you apply

• Roles vary in length, pay, and structure. Some cover only expenses. Others are paid.

• Make sure the terms work for you before applying, especially if the role is in London.

Alternatives to Formal Work Experience

Not everyone can get an internship or structured placement. But there are many other ways to build skills and show your interest in politics and international relations. These alternatives can impress universities and employers if you explain what you’ve learned from them.

Examples include:

• Model United Nations (opens in a new tab) (MUN): Taking part sharpens diplomacy, public speaking, and negotiation skills. Older students can also mentor younger participants, which shows leadership.

• Debating societies: School, university, or community debating groups build confidence and critical thinking. These skills are useful in politics and IR.

• Political youth wings: Many UK parties have youth branches (such as Young Labour or Conservative Future) that run campaigns, events, and conferences for students.

• Writing blogs or opinion pieces: Sharing your views on current affairs through a blog, student newspaper, or online platform shows initiative and improves writing.

• Independent projects: Tasks such as the IB Extended Essay, EPQs, or self-directed research into global issues show independent thinking and commitment.

All these alternatives give you practical experience for use in personal statements or interviews. They prove you’ve engaged with politics and IR beyond the classroom.

Building Transferable Skills

Work experience in politics and international relations doesn’t always come with a formal title. Many everyday jobs and activities still build useful skills. The key is learning how to spot and present them.

Examples of transferable skills include:

• Communication: Customer service jobs in retail or hospitality improve your communication and adaptability. These are vital in politics and diplomacy.

• Research and analysis: Writing essays or helping with admin tasks sharpens your ability to handle information and spot key points.

• Teamwork: Any role where you work with others, from sports coaching to event planning, shows teamwork.

• Leadership: Running a club, mentoring younger students, or leading a project shows initiative and decision-making.

Your part-time job may not seem political. But linking it to these transferable skills is what matters. Employers and universities see these as the foundation of political and IR careers.

Make the link clear in applications. For example: “Working in retail taught me how to manage difficult conversations, which I believe is relevant to casework in an MP’s office.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need connections to get work experience in Politics or IR?

No. Some people use family or school networks, but many opportunities are advertised on sites like W4MP Jobs or charity career pages.

Proactive applications and volunteering can work just as well as personal contacts.

What if I can’t find a formal internship?

Don’t worry. Universities know internships are competitive. Alternatives such as Model UN, volunteering, debating, or independent projects still provide valuable experiences to highlight in your applications.

Do universities expect work experience for Politics & IR degrees?

No, it isn’t essential for admission.

Universities mainly look for academic ability and genuine interest in the subject. But relevant experience shows dedication and gives you examples for interviews or personal statements.

Taking Your First Steps

The key step is to get started. You might volunteer locally, join a debating society, or apply for an internship. Each experience builds skills and confidence. Small steps now can lead to bigger opportunities later.

References

• Chatham House – Internships (opens in a new tab)

• Institute for Government – Internship Programme (opens in a new tab)

• RUSI – Current Job Opportunities (opens in a new tab)

• Amnesty International UK – Jobs (opens in a new tab)

• W4MP – Work Experience in an MP’s Office (opens in a new tab)

• UK Parliament – Work Experience (opens in a new tab)

• Oxfam GB – Volunteer With Us (opens in a new tab)

• Refugee Action – Volunteer (opens in a new tab)

• UK Youth Parliament (opens in a new tab)

• Royal Holloway - Politics and International Relations (opens in a new tab)

• Royal Holloway – My Political Experiences (opens in a new tab)

• Citizens Advice – Volunteer With Us (opens in a new tab)

• UNA-UK – Model United Nations (opens in a new tab)

• UEA Careers – Finding Work Experience in Politics & Public Affairs (PDF) (opens in a new tab)