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    Study international relations abroad

    An in-depth guide to studying international relations as an international student.

    Find international relations programs

    Explore international relations programs abroad

    See other programs in international relations

    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
    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 countries to study international relations

    Best universities to study international relations

    See all universities offering international relations programs

    How to study international relations abroad

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    International relations study abroad programs

    International relations undergraduate programs

    Bachelor's in international relations

    • false

      International Relations and Politics - BA (Hons) London Metropolitan University, UK

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      3 years
      Annual tuition fee
      12,700 GBP

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about International Relations and Politics
    • false

      Global and International Studies - BA State University of New York at Oswego, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      18,627 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      January, August
      Show program overview about Global and International Studies
    • false

      International Business and International Relations - Dual BA (Hons) Keele University, UK

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      3 years
      Annual tuition fee
      14,750 GBP

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about International Business and International Relations
    • false

      History and International Relations - BA University of Dundee, UK

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      17,275 GBP

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about History and International Relations
    • false

      International Affairs - BA Gordon College, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      25,250 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      August, January
      Show program overview about International Affairs
    See all bachelor's degrees in international relations

    Associate in international relations

    • false

      Intercultural and International Studies - AA Douglas College, Canada

      Program type
      Associate
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      18,000 CAD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      January, May, September
      Show program overview about Intercultural and International Studies
    • false

      Liberal Arts & Sciences: International Studies - ASc Mohawk Valley Community College, USA

      Program type
      Associate
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      6,892 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      January, September
      Show program overview about Liberal Arts & Sciences: International Studies
    See all associate degrees in international relations

    Certificate in international relations

    • false

      International Studies - Cert University of Regina, Canada

      Program type
      Undergraduate certificate
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      18,000 CAD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      January, September, May
      Show program overview about International Studies
    See all undergraduate certificates in international relations

    Pathway in international relations

    • false

      International Relations (Foundation) - FD Leeds Beckett University, UK

      Program type
      Undergraduate pathway
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      10,900 GBP

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September, January
      Show program overview about International Relations (Foundation)
    • false

      International Relations and International Development - International Year One - UGP University of Sussex, UK

      Program type
      Undergraduate pathway
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      17,200 GBP

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      January, September
      Show program overview about International Relations and International Development - International Year One
    • false

      International Relations and Politics, International Year One - UGP Keele University, UK

      Program type
      Undergraduate pathway
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      13,130 GBP

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      October, January
      Show program overview about International Relations and Politics, International Year One
    See all undergraduate pathways in international relations

    International relations graduate programs

    Master's in international relations

    • false

      Diplomacy and International Affairs - MA University of the South Pacific, Fiji

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      14,857 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      July, February
      Show program overview about Diplomacy and International Affairs
    • false

      International Business and International Relations - MA (Hons) University of Dundee, UK

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      16,450 GBP

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about International Business and International Relations
    • false

      Global Management (Global Affairs) - MGM Arizona State University, USA

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      25,714 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      August
      Show program overview about Global Management (Global Affairs)
    • false

      Global Studies and International Relations - MSc Northeastern University, USA

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      16,514 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September, July, April, January
      Show program overview about Global Studies and International Relations
    • false

      International Affairs - MSc Linnaeus University, Sweden

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      110,000 SEK

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about International Affairs
    See all master's degrees in international relations

    Doctorate in international relations

    • false

      International Relations and European Studies - PhD University of Nicosia, Cyprus

      Program type
      Doctorate
      Duration
      3 years
      Annual tuition fee
      4,500 EUR

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      February, September, June
      Show program overview about International Relations and European Studies
    • false

      International Relations Joint Degree - Dual PhD/MSc Altinbas University, Turkey

      Program type
      Doctorate/Master's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      4,950 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September, March
      Show program overview about International Relations Joint Degree
    • false

      International Studies Law - Dual JD/MA DePaul University, USA

      Program type
      Doctorate/Master's
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      24,320 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      January, September, March
      Show program overview about International Studies Law
    See all doctorates in international relations

    Diploma in international relations

    • false

      Public Policy and International Relations - PGDip University of California, Riverside Extension, USA

      Program type
      Postgraduate diploma
      Duration
      9 months
      Annual tuition fee
      18,200 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Public Policy and International Relations
    See all postgraduate diplomas in international relations

    Pathway in international relations

    • false

      Global Studies & International Relations (Global Pathways) - PGP Northeastern University, USA

      Program type
      Postgraduate pathway
      Duration
      4 months
      Annual tuition fee
      15,200 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      March, July, November
      Show program overview about Global Studies & International Relations (Global Pathways)
    • false

      International Relations Pre-Master's Programme - PGP Kingston University, UK

      Program type
      Postgraduate pathway
      Duration
      8 months
      Annual tuition fee
      9,500 GBP

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      January, April
      Show program overview about International Relations Pre-Master's Programme
    • false

      Politics and International Relations - Pathway in Politics - PGP Keele University, UK

      Program type
      Postgraduate pathway
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      14,320 GBP

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September, January
      Show program overview about Politics and International Relations - Pathway in Politics
    See all postgraduate pathways in international relations

    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.