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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

    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

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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
      19,543 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 28,000 NZD

      Start date
      February, July
      Show program overview about Social Work: Political Science and International Relations
    • false

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

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      3 years
      Annual tuition fee
      17,484 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 12,700 GBP

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about International Relations and Law
    • 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

      Fee in university's local currency 18,627 USD

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

      Politics and International Relations - BA University of Auckland, New Zealand

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      3 years
      Annual tuition fee
      22,531 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 32,280 NZD

      Start date
      July, February
      Show program overview about Politics and International Relations
    • false

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

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      3 years
      Annual tuition fee
      21,338 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 15,500 GBP

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about History and International Relations
    See all bachelor's degrees in international relations

    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
      14,324 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 18,000 CAD

      Start date
      September, May, January
      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

      Fee in university's local currency 6,892 USD

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

    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
      19,570 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 28,038 NZD

      Start date
      January, February
      Show program overview about Advancing University Studies: Political Science and International Relations
    • false

      International studies - Dip (Arts) Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand

      Program type
      Undergraduate diploma
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      21,003 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 30,092 NZD

      Start date
      January, February
      Show program overview about International studies
    • false

      Politics and International Relations - Dip (Arts) Massey University, New Zealand

      Program type
      Undergraduate diploma
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      19,076 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 27,330 NZD

      Start date
      February, July
      Show program overview about Politics and International Relations
    See all undergraduate diplomas in international relations

    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
      14,324 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 18,000 CAD

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

    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
      15,006 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 10,900 GBP

      Start date
      January, September
      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
      23,679 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 17,200 GBP

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

    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
      22,335 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 32,000 NZD

      Start date
      January, February
      Show program overview about Arts: Political Science and International Relations
    • false

      Leadership/International Studies - Dual MA Dallas Baptist University, USA

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      3 years
      Annual tuition fee
      19,872 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 19,872 USD

      Start date
      January, August, June
      Show program overview about Leadership/International Studies
    • false

      Politics/International Affairs - MA University of the South Pacific, Fiji

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

      Fee in university's local currency 14,857 USD

      Start date
      February, July
      Show program overview about Politics/International Affairs
    • false

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

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

      Fee in university's local currency 25,714 USD

      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

      Fee in university's local currency 16,514 USD

      Start date
      January, April, July, September
      Show program overview about Global Studies and International Relations
    See all master's degrees in international relations

    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
      5,299 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 4,500 EUR

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

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

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

      Fee in university's local currency 4,950 USD

      Start date
      March, September
      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

      Fee in university's local currency 24,320 USD

      Start date
      January, March, September
      Show program overview about International Studies Law
    • false

      Political Science and International Relations - PhD University of Canterbury, New Zealand

      Program type
      Doctorate
      Duration
      3 years
      Annual tuition fee
      4,955 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 7,099 NZD

      Start date
      January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
      Show program overview about Political Science and International Relations
    See all doctorates in international relations

    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
      18,985 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 27,200 NZD

      Start date
      January, February
      Show program overview about Arts: Political Science and International Relations
    • false

      International Relations - PGDip Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand

      Program type
      Postgraduate diploma
      Duration
      9 months
      Annual tuition fee
      20,814 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 29,821 NZD

      Start date
      February
      Show program overview about International Relations
    • false

      Politics and International Relations - GradDipArts University of Auckland, New Zealand

      Program type
      Postgraduate diploma
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      24,462 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 35,048 NZD

      Start date
      July, February
      Show program overview about Politics and 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

      Fee in university's local currency 18,200 USD

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

    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
      15,200 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 15,200 USD

      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
      13,078 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 9,500 GBP

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

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

      Program type
      Postgraduate pathway
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      22,027 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 16,000 GBP

      Start date
      January, September
      Show program overview about Politics and International Relations: Pathway in US 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.