Upper second class honours (2:1) degree or equivalent in any discipline.
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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.
The MSc History of International Relations, delivered by the Department of International History , is an intensive one year degree designed to develop your intellectual skills and knowledge of global history which will advance your career prospects across a wide-range of sectors
This popular taught programme is unique and distinctive. It's aimed at students wanting to enhance their understanding of the forces that have shaped the world to date. You'll study these at one of the most renowned departments globally for international history, nestling within the world’s leading institute for social sciences, in the heart of cosmopolitan London. The programme can offer a bespoke set of courses for students who have studied the subject at undergraduate level and who want to specialise further. Equally, it has foundational courses that are especially suitable for students wanting to transition from related subjects including political science, languages, economics, law, journalism, sociology and psychology.
Whatever you choose, you'll develop your analytical skills and ability to critically assess dynamics, events and individuals that have shaped the modern world. You can take two specialised history options that are geographically global, and also range chronologically from the Renaissance to the post-Cold War period. Teaching is delivered by academic staff who are at the cutting edge of the field often incorporating their most recent research.
Additionally, you have the unique opportunity to take a relevant course offered by other world leading LSE departments, enabling you to further widen your intellectual skills, challenge your perspective and to engage with some of today’s complex issues being tackled head on. Finally, you have the opportunity to hone your research and writing skill-set, by compiling a detailed, research-based 10,000 word dissertation, supervised by an expert in your area of choice.
To help you navigate your options, we have put together the following thematic pathways. You can, of course, opt to develop your own bespoke set of options. Pathways are not prescriptive offering suggestions only, to help you focus your course choices.
Current pathways include:
Watch the Virtual Graduate Open talk given by Master's Admissions Advisor Dr Paul Stock in November 2025.
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Discover more about our students and department, and find out what other students have been doing since graduating .
History is a wide ranging and challenging subject to study. It seeks to understand the past and to make sense of the present, adding an important dimension to the understanding of many aspects of human society. The department is world renowned in its field, offering a unique perspective on the history of relations between states, peoples and cultures. We pride ourselves on giving students the benefit of ground-breaking research throughout our teaching programmes.
Our degrees will give you a broad international perspective on the past. We give attention both to domestic and international issues and many of the courses we offer deal with major events in the history of international relations.
Since the behaviour of countries in the international arena cannot be understood without a knowledge of their distinct social, political, economic and cultural characteristics, we provide courses covering major aspects of the history of ideas and mentalities.
LSE was founded in 1895 originally as an institute of higher education for graduate students. The department reflects this tradition and takes its responsibility for undergraduate teaching and supervision very seriously. We admit nearly as many undergraduate students as master's students. We have one of the most cosmopolitan undergraduate communities in London and one of the most vibrant and dynamic.