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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 Studies - Global Environmental Sustainability - BA University of Dayton, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
44,890 USD
Fee in university's local currency 44,890 USD
- Start date
- January, May, August
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International Studies - International Economics - BA/BSc University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
16,800 USD
Fee in university's local currency 16,800 USD
- Start date
- January, September
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International Studies (Russian/East European Studies) - BAIS Texas State University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
18,929 USD
Fee in university's local currency 18,929 USD
- Start date
- January, August
-
International Relations and Politics - BA (Hons) University of Portsmouth, UK
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
21,128 USD
Fee in university's local currency 15,500 GBP
- Start date
- September
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International Relations - Asia - BA Duquesne University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
38,178 USD
Fee in university's local currency 38,178 USD
- Start date
- January, August
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
-
14,134 USD
Fee in university's local currency 18,000 CAD
- Start date
- September, May, January
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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
- January, September
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
-
14,858 USD
Fee in university's local currency 10,900 GBP
- Start date
- January, September
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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
-
23,445 USD
Fee in university's local currency 17,200 GBP
- 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
- Annual tuition fee
-
17,897 USD
Fee in university's local currency 13,130 GBP
- Start date
- January, October
International relations graduate programs
Master's in international relations
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International Relations: Major in Diplomacy - Master's (with placement) Luiss Guido Carli, Italy
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 27 months
- Annual tuition fee
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14,918 USD
Fee in university's local currency 12,300 EUR
- Start date
- September
-
International Relations - MA (with foundation) Dublin City University, Ireland
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
18,193 USD
Fee in university's local currency 15,000 EUR
- Start date
- September
-
International Relations - MA UCAM Universidad Católica de Murcia, Spain
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
6,428 USD
Fee in university's local currency 5,300 EUR
- Start date
- January
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Economics and International Relations - MA (Hons) University of Dundee, UK
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
22,423 USD
Fee in university's local currency 16,450 GBP
- Start date
- September
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International Studies - MA DePaul University, USA
- Program type
- 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
Doctorate in international relations
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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
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International Relations and European Studies - PhD University of Nicosia, Cyprus
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
5,458 USD
Fee in university's local currency 4,500 EUR
- Start date
- September
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International Relations and Political Science - PhD Koç University, Turkey
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
0 USD
Fee in university's local currency 0 USD
- Start date
- January, August
Diploma in international relations
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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
-
18,200 USD
Fee in university's local currency 18,200 USD
- Start date
- September
Pathway in international relations
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Politics and International Relations - Pathway in Politics - PGP Keele University, UK
- Program type
- Postgraduate pathway
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
19,519 USD
Fee in university's local currency 14,320 GBP
- Start date
- January, September
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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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12,949 USD
Fee in university's local currency 9,500 GBP
- Start date
- January, April
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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
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.
