Study international relations abroad
An in-depth guide to studying international relations as an international student.
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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International Management with Specialization in International Relations - BBA Geneva Business School, Switzerland
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 3 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 24,900 CHF
- Start date
- February, September
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International Relations - BA Altinbas University, Turkey
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 8,500 USD
- Start date
- February, September
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International Relations & Diplomacy - BA Long Island University Post, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 35,736 USD
- Start date
- January, September
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Political Science and International Affairs - BA Bay Atlantic University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 15,900 USD
- Start date
- January, August
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Religious Studies (Religion, Politics and Global Affairs) - BA Arizona State University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 29,834 USD
- Start date
- January, May, August
Pathway in international relations
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International Relations and International Development - International Year One - UGP University of Sussex, UK
- Program type
- Undergraduate pathway
- Duration
- 1 year
- Tuition fees per year
- 17,200 USD
- Start date
- January, September
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International Relations and Politics, International Year One - UGP Keele University, UK
- Program type
- Undergraduate pathway
- Duration
- 1 year
- Tuition fees per year
- 13,130 GBP
- Start date
- January, October
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International Relations (Foundation) - UGP Leeds Beckett University, UK
- Program type
- Undergraduate pathway
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 10,900 USD
- Start date
- January, September
Associate in international relations
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Liberal Arts & Sciences: International Studies - ASc Mohawk Valley Community College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 6,892 USD
- Start date
- January, September
International relations graduate programs
Master's in international relations
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International Management with specialisation in International Relations - MIM Geneva Business School, Switzerland
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 18 months
- Tuition fees per year
- 18,400 CHF
- Start date
- February, September
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International Relations Joint Degree - MSc Altinbas University, Turkey
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 4,950 USD
- Start date
- February, September
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Political Science & International Studies - MA Long Island University Post, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 44,100 USD
- Start date
- January, September
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MBA in Global Affairs - MBA Bay Atlantic University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 18,000 USD
- Start date
- January, August
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Global Management (Global Affairs) - MGM Arizona State University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 25,714 USD
- Start date
- August
Doctorate in international relations
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International Relations and Political Science - PhD Koç University, Turkey
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 3 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 0 USD
- Start date
- January, August
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International Studies Law - Dual JD/MA DePaul University, USA
- Program type
- Doctorate/Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 24,320 USD
- Start date
- January, March, September
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International Relations and European Studies - PhD University of Nicosia, Cyprus
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 4 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 4,500 EUR
- Start date
- September
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
- Tuition fees per year
- 15,200 USD
- Start date
- March, July, November
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International Relations Pre-Master's Programme - PGP Kingston University, UK
- Program type
- Postgraduate pathway
- Duration
- 8 months
- Tuition fees per year
- 9,500 USD
- Start date
- January, April
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Politics and International Relations - Pathway in Global Security - PGP Keele University, UK
- Program type
- Postgraduate pathway
- Duration
- 1 year
- Tuition fees per year
- 14,750 GBP
- Start date
- January, September
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.
