MSc International Relations is an advanced, academic study of the subject from a global perspective.
You'll have the opportunity to study a broad range of issues, including the formulation and implementation of foreign policy, relations between states and governments, international organisations and NGOs, international law, conflict and post-conflict peace-making and transitional justice, the role of empire or revolutions in world politics, and gender and international relations. You can also choose to focus on specific regions, such as Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa or specific countries such as China, Russia and the US.
The programme includes a core course, International Politics, which provides an historical and theoretical analysis of core concepts in international relations, of the normative and analytic issues involved, and of their relationship to the social sciences in general. You'll also submit a 10,000 word dissertation, which allows you to explore a topic of your own choice in depth, and choose optional courses to the value of two units.
You may also be interested in the MSc International Relations (Research) programme which has a different core course, Theories of International Relations, and entails a compulsory methodology course.
Discover more about our students and department.
The Department of International Relations is one of the largest of its kind in the world, home to 500 students, from 30 countries.
Founded in 1927, our department is a leading centre for teaching and research in international relations – ranked second in the UK and fifth globally in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 .
Many leading thinkers in the field – including Martin Wight, Hedley Bull and John Vincent – have taught in the department and pioneered new developments and thinking in the field. The department also helped found the student-run Millennium: Journal of International Studies – one of the most prestigious international relations journals.
We have around 225 undergraduates, 220 postgraduates and 30 postgraduate research students on our programmes. Our aim is to provide a wide range of study options, covering diverse themes such as major theoretical perspectives on international relations, the study of conflict and conflict management, the work of international institutions and the major regions of the world, from Europe to the Middle East.
We’re proud of the broad international profile of our department – with students and staff from Europe, North America and further afield. As a department we’ve played a pivotal role in training diplomats and academics and we’re proud of their success in various fields.
Upper second class honours (2:1) degree or equivalent in politics, history, international relations or similar disciplines.
Please select your country from the dropdown list below to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.
Search for a country English language requirements
The English language requirement for this programme is Higher . Read more about our English language requirements .
Competition for places at LSE is strong. So, even if you meet the minimum entry requirements, this doesn't guarantee you an offer of a place.
However, please don’t feel deterred from applying – we want to hear from all suitably qualified students. Think carefully about how you can put together the strongest possible application to help you stand out.
| QS 综合 | 院校 | 学制 | 学费 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 第 12 位 | 南洋理工大学Nanyang Technological University | 1年 | 34080新币/年 |
| 第 35 位 | 爱丁堡大学The University of Edinburgh | 1年 | 33600英镑/年 |
| 第 57 位 | 布里斯托大学University of Bristol | 1年 | 31600英镑/年 |
| 第 80 位 | 格拉斯哥大学University of Glasgow | 1年 | 28275英镑/年 |
| 第 125 位 | 巴斯大学University of Bath | 1年 | 28900英镑/年 |
| 第 203 位 | 拉夫堡大学Loughborough University | 1年 | 26300英镑/年 |
| 第 230 位 | 斯特拉斯克莱德大学University of Strathclyde | 1年 | 24950英镑/年 |
| 第 246 位 | 萨里大学University of Surrey | 1年 | 23600英镑/年 |