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Study international relations abroad
Get a fully personalized list of international relations programs that match your eligibility and aspirations.
International Relations degrees abroad
International relations is the study of foreign policy and diplomacy between countries. It has a large focus on politics and incorporates some aspects of economics and law, giving students who study it a well-rounded understanding of global affairs.
Studying international relations abroad provides a new perspective on global issues and relationships between locations across the world.
International relations can be studied as a major in the US or in universities that use a liberal arts model, and elsewhere in the world there is the opportunity to study it as the sole subject of a bachelor’s degree, as well as at master’s (taught and research) and PhD level.
International Relations program structure
A bachelor’s in international relations will last between three to four years, and may include a year studying at a partner institution abroad. A taught or research master’s in international relations will be between one and two years of study. Some universities will encourage you to study a language alongside international relations.
Most of your time doing an international relations degree will be learning from books, lectures, and other resources with time to discuss this with classmates in seminars or smaller group lessons. You may need to use presentation or debate skills too as part of your assessments.
As part of your degree you may need to produce a piece of personal research in the form of a dissertation, which you will be guided through with tutorials. Dissertations require a large amount of personal study.
The structure and content of an international relations program will change depending on the country and specific university you are studying in. Some of the modules or electives that may count towards an international relations degree will surround topics such as:
- Global debates
- International history
- Political theory
- Foreign policy
- International security
- International organizations
Best universities to study international relations
How to study international relations abroad
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International Relations study abroad programs
International relations undergraduate programs
Bachelor's in international relations
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Social Work: Political Science and International Relations - BSW (Hons) University of Canterbury, New Zealand
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
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19,875 USD
Fee in university's local currency 28,000 NZD
- Start date
- -
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International Relations with Languages - BA (Hons) London Metropolitan University, UK
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
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17,465 USD
Fee in university's local currency 12,700 GBP
- Start date
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Global and International Studies - BA State University of New York at Oswego, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
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18,627 USD
Fee in university's local currency 18,627 USD
- Start date
- -
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Politics and International Relations - BA University of Auckland, New Zealand
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
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22,913 USD
Fee in university's local currency 32,280 NZD
- Start date
- -
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International Relations - BA (Hons) Keele University, UK
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
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21,316 USD
Fee in university's local currency 15,500 GBP
- Start date
- -
Associate in international relations
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Intercultural and International Studies - AA Douglas College, Canada
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
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14,557 USD
Fee in university's local currency 18,000 CAD
- Start date
- -
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International Studies - AAOT Lane Community College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
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11,500 USD
Fee in university's local currency 11,500 USD
- Start date
- -
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International Studies (for Transfer) - AA Portland Community College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
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9,290 USD
Fee in university's local currency 9,290 USD
- Start date
- -
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Liberal Arts & Sciences: International Studies - ASc Mohawk Valley Community College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
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6,892 USD
Fee in university's local currency 6,892 USD
- Start date
- -
Diploma in international relations
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Advancing University Studies: Political Science and International Relations - DipAdvUniStud University of Canterbury, New Zealand
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
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19,902 USD
Fee in university's local currency 28,038 NZD
- Start date
- -
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International studies - Dip (Arts) Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
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21,360 USD
Fee in university's local currency 30,092 NZD
- Start date
- -
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Politics and International Relations - Dip (Arts) Massey University, New Zealand
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
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19,399 USD
Fee in university's local currency 27,330 NZD
- Start date
- -
Certificate in international relations
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International Studies - Cert University of Regina, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
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14,557 USD
Fee in university's local currency 18,000 CAD
- Start date
- -
Pathway in international relations
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International Relations (Foundation) - FD Leeds Beckett University, UK
- Program type
- Undergraduate pathway
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
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14,990 USD
Fee in university's local currency 10,900 GBP
- Start date
- -
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International Relations and International Development - International Year One - UGP University of Sussex, UK
- Program type
- Undergraduate pathway
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
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23,654 USD
Fee in university's local currency 17,200 GBP
- Start date
- -
International relations graduate programs
Master's in international relations
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Arts: Political Science and International Relations - MA University of Canterbury, New Zealand
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
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22,714 USD
Fee in university's local currency 32,000 NZD
- Start date
- -
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Leadership/International Studies - Dual MA Dallas Baptist University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
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19,872 USD
Fee in university's local currency 19,872 USD
- Start date
- -
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Business and International Affairs - MBA Keyce Business School, France
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
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18,941 USD
Fee in university's local currency 16,290 EUR
- Start date
- -
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Comparative International Relations: Global Studies - MA Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Italy
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
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1,395 USD
Fee in university's local currency 1,200 EUR
- Start date
- -
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Politics/International Affairs - MA University of the South Pacific, Fiji
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
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14,857 USD
Fee in university's local currency 14,857 USD
- Start date
- -
Doctorate in international relations
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International Relations and European Studies - PhD University of Nicosia, Cyprus
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
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5,232 USD
Fee in university's local currency 4,500 EUR
- Start date
- -
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International Relations Joint Degree - Dual MSc/PhD Altinbas University, Turkey
- Program type
- Master's/Doctorate
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
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4,950 USD
Fee in university's local currency 4,950 USD
- Start date
- -
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International Studies Law - Dual JD/MA DePaul University, USA
- Program type
- Doctorate/Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
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24,320 USD
Fee in university's local currency 24,320 USD
- Start date
- -
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Political Science and International Relations - PhD University of Canterbury, New Zealand
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
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5,039 USD
Fee in university's local currency 7,099 NZD
- Start date
- -
Diploma in international relations
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Arts: Political Science and International Relations - PGDipArts University of Canterbury, New Zealand
- Program type
- Postgraduate diploma
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
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19,307 USD
Fee in university's local currency 27,200 NZD
- Start date
- -
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International Relations - PGDip Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
- Program type
- Postgraduate diploma
- Duration
- 9 months
- Annual tuition fee
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21,168 USD
Fee in university's local currency 29,821 NZD
- Start date
- -
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Politics and International Relations - GradDipArts University of Auckland, New Zealand
- Program type
- Postgraduate diploma
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
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24,878 USD
Fee in university's local currency 35,048 NZD
- Start date
- -
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Public Policy and International Relations - PGDip University of California, Riverside Extension, USA
- Program type
- Postgraduate diploma
- Duration
- 9 months
- Annual tuition fee
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18,200 USD
Fee in university's local currency 18,200 USD
- Start date
- -
Pathway in international relations
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Global Studies & International Relations (Global Pathways) - PGP Northeastern University, USA
- Program type
- Postgraduate pathway
- Duration
- 4 months
- Annual tuition fee
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15,200 USD
Fee in university's local currency 15,200 USD
- Start date
- -
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International Relations Pre-Master's Programme - PGP Kingston University, UK
- Program type
- Postgraduate pathway
- Duration
- 8 months
- Annual tuition fee
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13,065 USD
Fee in university's local currency 9,500 GBP
- Start date
- -
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Politics and International Relations: Pathway in US Politics - PGP Keele University, UK
- Program type
- Postgraduate pathway
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
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22,004 USD
Fee in university's local currency 16,000 GBP
- Start date
- -
Future international relations careers
You gain a lot of transferable skills when studying international relations including critical thinking, storytelling, writing, and knowledge of media law. There are loads of options for future careers, including:
- Political researcher
- Diplomat
- Political analyst
- Political journalist
The skills and knowledge you gain from an international relations degree abroad can be useful in a wide variety of industries and sectors, including:
- Global not for profits
- Finance
- Education
- Government
While you are studying at university you will also have access to a wide range of student organizations and social clubs. You may find that some, such as a debating society, complement your program and allow you to meet other like-minded students. The experience gained from being in these extracurricular groups can be an appealing addition to your resumé.
