International Relations

MA

Apply now – no fee

Next start date: Sep 2025
Study: Full-time
Duration: 12-16 months
Fee: See Fees tab

Please note, we’ve recently changed the modules and structure of this course. View the previous version here.

Critically examine world issues and provide solutions to complex problems.

As the world becomes more connected, the study of International Relations becomes more crucial than ever. It enables us to better understand global issues, encourage peace and collaboration, and tackle emerging challenges quickly and ethically. This course gives you the opportunity to examine and unpick current issues of conflict, security, inequality, climate and more – and provide solutions to the urgent problems they create. 

Why Regent’s?

An intimate campus: located in the heart of London’s royal Regent’s Park
Unparalleled global connections: gain exposure to leading industry professionals
Future-facing: an innovative curriculum structure that's unique to Regent's
Small class sizes: experience tailored attention, support and guidance
Varied topics: examine issues as diverse as inequality, climate, migration, conflict
Practical learning: bring you studies to life with case studies, simulations, trips
Inclusive trips: explore EU institutions in Brussels and The Hague or Strasbourg
Paid membership: for the Royal Institute of International Affairs at Chatham House

Discover more!

What to expect

Through discussions in class, you'll examine issues as diverse as economic inequality, the climate crisis, social migration, humanitarian law, conflict resolution, the rise of global cities and new digital technologies from a range of perspectives – touching on sociology, economics and history – while learning how to create new policies, strategies and solutions to mitigate problems.

You’ll also analyse relationships between countries, global non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and non-state operators, and explore the internal structures of international institutions like the United Nations (UN). You'll be exposed to leading academics and practitioners, who’ll provide cutting-edge analysis and bring the subject to life by sharing their direct experiences.

In your second term, you’ll join a mandatory field trip to the EU institutions in Brussels and either The Hague or Strasbourg, where you’ll meet global policy experts and take part in private tours. You’ll also benefit from visits to the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Magistrates’ Court and new exhibitions focused on political art. In your third term, you’ll work on a major project or dissertation – researching and analysing a topic that’s of interest to you.

While you study, you'll benefit from a paid membership to the Royal Institute of International Affairs at Chatham House – the world-leading international relations think-tank – where you can make use of their extensive library. Previously, students have joined debates with leading journalists and politicians, met global leaders Nancy Pelosi and Peter Obi, and – more recently – been advised on events in the Ukraine war.

You'll graduate with both a broad and deep understanding of global issues, politics, relationships and human rights – prepared for an exciting career in the fast-moving world of international relations. Alumni have pursued opportunities in embassies and NGOs and successfully launched careers in international organisations and inter-governmental institutions like the UN and EU.

Upon graduation, you'll receive an exclusive discounted membership to Chatham House – enabling you to attend further meetings, policy discussions and exclusive member events.

London-centric learning

Studying in London offers opportunities to engage with all aspects of international relations, exploring global headquarters and thinktanks and meeting influential industry leaders. We regularly organise guest speakers to complement the content of our modules – from diplomats to human rights experts, ambassadors to scholars. Recently, we’ve heard from:

Almudena Bernabeu and Tony Cadman – lawyers and founders of Guernica 37
Zrinka Bralo – CEO of Migrants Organise and a journalist for The Guardian
Ian Cliff – formerly HM Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Sudan
Catharina Harby – Senior Legal Consultant at AIRE Centre, experts in global human rights

You’ll also visit organisations such as:

World-leading policy institute, Chatham House
The Houses of Parliament
Westminster Magistrates’ Court
The British Museum
Tate Modern

A tailored experience

We put you in the driving seat – shaping your education from day one:

Your own support officer: receive tailored advice and support when needed
Academic guidance: access regular one-to-one sessions and a unique open door policy
Flexible modules: personalise your course with a choice of elective modules
Additional language classes: prepare for domestic and international opportunities

Download course specification.

Students at the European Parliament in Brussels

Students at the European Commission in Brussels

Students at the International Criminal Court in the Hague

Students at the Peace Palace, home to the International Court of Justice in the Hague

How to apply

Applying to Regent's is quick and easy. We accept direct applications year-round and there's no application fee. If you haven't received your exam results, you can still apply and we'll issue you with a conditional offer. You just need be clear in your application which qualifications you're currently studying for.

Step 1: Apply

On our website, details here

During the application process, you'll have the chance to upload supporting documents, including:

A copy of your passport (photograph ID page)
Academic transcripts and certificates from all previous studies
A 500-700 word personal statement (view guidance)
If you're not a native English speaker, proof of your English proficiency

Credit transfer

If you’ve already studied part of your degree elsewhere, you may be able to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and join your new course at an advanced entry point. To apply for RPL, you'll need to state this clearly in your application and provide us with the certificates, transcripts and module descriptions for your previous course.

Step 2: Receive a response

You can expect to receive a decision on your application within 10 working days. We'll assess whether you meet our entry requirements and will notify you of our decision via email. UCAS applicants will also receive official notification via the UCAS system.

For some of our courses, the selection process may include an interview or audition. They can take the form of a one-to-one interview, a group interview or a portfolio review, which may be conducted by telephone or online. Arrangements of these are made between you and the Admissions department.

Step 3: Accept your offer

If you wish to accept your offer, you must pay your (non-refundable) advance tuition fee deposit. This will confirm your place. Here's how.

Step 4: Register

Closer to the start of term, our Admissions team will send instructions regarding your registration process. This will include information on completing your online enrolment before you arrive, as well as a checklist of documents you'll need to bring with you to campus.

Information for international students

If you're an overseas student, you'll likely require a visa to study in the UK. Here's how to apply.

Scholarships and funding

There are a wide variety of funding and scholarship opportunities to help you finance your studies. For more information, please visit our scholarships and funding page.

Fees

Tuition fee:

£27,000 for the intake starting in September 2025

Non-refundable advance deposit:

UK students: £1,000
International students: £4,000

How you'll learn

At Regent's, you’ll have the freedom to explore your interests in a dynamic, supportive and collaborative environment with interactive classes, industry opportunities, specialist facilities and tailored careers advice – ensuring you develop the skills, experience and confidence you need to secure your dream job.

You’ll pair academic knowledge with hands-on experiences – exploring current issues and proposing solutions to real challenges. Classes incorporate:

Seminars and guest lectures
Practical workshops and presentations
Field trips in London/Europe

Based in London, you'll also have opportunities to meet industry leaders and employers through guest lectures, live briefs, events and field trips.

Contact hours

14 hours per week of timetabled teaching classes in the first two terms.

Teaching staff

You'll be taught by a mix of industry experts and research-active academics who have extensive global experience. They’ve published journals, books and news articles, conducted research all over the world and are leading experts on geopolitics, international law, human rights and more – and have vast media experience, particularly on issues including conflict, gender, minority and nationalism. Their knowledge and experience ensure classes are always shaped by current affairs and case studies. You’ll also:

Attend guest lectures with leading businesses and brands
Be allocated a personal tutor, who you’ll meet with regularly on a one-to-one basis

Independent learning

Throughout your time at Regent’s, you'll be expected to undertake extra reading, research, revision and reflection – working alone and collaboratively with classmates.

Method of assessment

Your knowledge and skills will be assessed via a range of task-based projects, policy papers, reports, research plans, presentations, posters and more.

Inclusive – fostering a student-focused approach
Engaging – encouraging interaction and participation
Authentic – based on real business challenges

Disability support

We welcome and support students with a wide range of disabilities and health concerns. Please speak to us as soon as possible, so we can provide the help you need.

Academic requirements: Level 7

We're interested in your potential, as well as your prior achievements – and we review each application comprehensively on its own merit. You'll need one of the following qualifications:

One of the following qualifications:

Minimum second class UK undergraduate degree
Equivalent international qualifications, as deemed acceptable by Admissions & UK ENIC

Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning

We also welcome applications from students who don't meet our usual entry requirements. To be accepted for exceptional entry, you must:

Have three years of work experience if you don't hold a degree

You'll need to provide us with:

Your current CV
A headed employment letter detailing your position and length of service
A headed reference letter
A personal statement outlining your experience and ambitions

This will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, by academic referral only.

English language requirements

Minimum English proficiency requirement through one of the following qualifications (or equivalent):

Qualification	Subject	Grade
GSCE*	English	C (4)
IB SL or HL*	English A	4
IB HL*	English B	5
US HSD (studied in a majority English-speaking country)*	Grade 11 and above in English	C
IELTS*	Academic	Overall score of 6.5, with 5.5 or above in each component
UG degree	From English-speaking countries – defined by the UKVI	Second class

Please note, we do not accept home/online editions of English language tests.

*Qualification satisfies the English language requirements of the UKVI for non-UK/Irish nationals.

We also offer conditional students a free, online diagnostic test known as the Regent’s English Proficiency Test (REPT). This must be booked in advance. Discover more.

Careers

You'll leave Regent's with a range of transferable skills, including the ability to assess global situations and analyse different perspectives in a range of sectors, including:

Diplomacy in embassies and foreign offices
Education
Financial institutions
International business and corporations
International organisations
Journalism
Law
Ministries
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
Politics
Policymaking
Security
Thinktanks

Our alumni have successfully launched careers in international organisations and inter-governmental institutions. For example:

Jacob Julius Pühringer – Policy Advisor at Austrian Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy
Gabrielle Tedder – Researcher with a leading Private Investigations firm
Alexandre Chindondo – Parliamentary Advisor to the National Assembly of Angola

Graduate visa

After you've completed your course, you may be eligible to apply for a Graduate visa. This enables you to work or look for work in the UK for up to two years after you leave Regent's, without the pressure of having to secure a job immediately.

Careers support

Don't worry if you feel overwhelmed – our Careers, Enterprise and Industry team are here to provide personalised advice and access to resources for life!

24/7 access to online guidance and resources
Exclusive internships, networking opportunities and industry events
Personalised consultations – from interview and CV prep to business advice
Access to Handshake, connecting you with 650k+ global employers

The Regent's Model

We've designed our curriculum for you – expanding your knowledge, skills and thinking with three building blocks:

Subject Core
Special Electives
Common Modules

Read more about how you'll learn and view a list of Special Electives. Please note, all Special Electives are subject to availability.

You can choose to start in either September or January. No matter which you choose, you’ll complete three terms. For September starters, these are autumn, spring and summer, lasting 12 months. January starters take a break over the summer and complete an additional autumn term. Therefore, this lasts slightly longer: 16 months.

The structure below depicts a September start. January starters will complete the same modules, but in a slightly different order.

View your academic calendar.

MA International Relations.

Term 1

Module title
War and Peace	The rules-based liberal global order has been challenged in the 21st century.  Will it be preserved or replaced with an alternative? Transitions can be challenging and the results are yet unknown. This module will establish grounds for the current global order, provide background to the previous international systems and seek an answer to different options for the future world order.  You'll explore shifting patterns in international relations, the rise of developing countries and the domination of the West over international organisations.
Critical International Relations	Issues of race, gender, inequality and climate change are prominent in current International Relations. Investigating them through the lenses of critical social science requires the unpacking of a subject, International Relations, which was born in an age of colonial empires, traditional patriarchy and tremendous class inequality. In this module you'll explore critical perspectives in the social sciences which will be applied to real-world examples of conflicts, climate security, gender and racial discrimination. You'll learn how concepts and ideas in International Relations have often been constructed to serve political power, colonial empires, Western domination, patriarchal systems and other forms of oppression. Such ideas also inform the landscape of political debates and actual policymaking in international affairs. At the same time, you will learn how a critical perspective can contribute to creating fairer, more just and more equal international politics on issues of class, gender, race, and other sources of inequality and discrimination.
Masters Perspectives	This module will develop your advanced academic skills as you grow as an independent thinker and researcher. Through the distinct lens of your subject field, you will explore advanced critical thinking and analytical skills, and develop your ability to communicate complex ideas, develop research questions and plan to reach ambitious objectives with maximum impact and clarity.
Language or Special Elective	Choose between a language module or an elective module. Scroll to the top of the page to find a link to our full list.

Term 2

Module title
Global Thriving – Problem Solving in a Complex World	From Palaeolithic foragers to 21st-century urbanites, humanity evolved through innovation and collective problem-solving. The last few decades have seen a huge reduction in extreme poverty, increased life expectancy, and the narrowing of economic development gaps.  However, as certain challenges are overcome, new ones inevitably emerge. Our quest for sustainable, resilient, and thriving societies requires a deeper dive into the nature of systemic problems and the manners in which technology, economics, politics and culture can be harnessed to develop effective new solutions.  Using examples and case studies from both the entrepreneurship and policy-making realms, this module aims to provide students with a better understanding of the nature of complex problems, while giving them the conceptual and practical tools required to transform them.
Global (In)Justice	You'll address the search for global justice from both historical and contemporary perspectives. The focus of your study will be the roles of international law, international humanitarian law and international human rights law, emphasizing principles such as universality, interdependence and indivisibility, equality and non-discrimination. You'll study major milestones in a struggle for global justice, like the establishment of the United Nations, the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international documents. Contemporary conflicts will provide an empirical basis for the study and analysis of the issues of collective and individualised responsibility and guilt. Contested issues of conflict resolution and human rights will present a core dilemma of this module that will be fundamental for studying global justice in the contemporary world. You'll be introduced to the inter-relatedness of the structures and shortcomings of rights and justice by examining these issues through critical theories and study of the global justice system.
Professional Perspectives	This module will help you to define and develop your professional identity and build career objectives. You'll explore the skills you need to succeed in the contemporary workplaces (including large organisations and start-ups), explore professional communications, project management, collaboration, entrepreneurial and creative thinking, active personal and professional reflection. You’ll also learn strategies for how to plan your career, aware that concepts of work will become increasingly more fluid as time goes on.
Language or Special Elective	Choose between a language module or an elective module. Scroll to the top of the page to find a link to our full list.

Term 3

Module title
Final Major Project	The Final Major Project is the culmination of your master’s course. You'll integrate and apply the knowledge, experiences and thinking you've developed to a project that you conceive and design. Your project should ideally be focused on your next professional steps – it can form part of your portfolio as you move towards work, further study or setting up a new business. It may be based on conducting research, solving a practical problem, or creating an artefact – or it may be a combination of all three. Whichever approach you choose, you will critically record and reflect on your intellectual, creative and investigative processes in detail. While you’ll have the support of your course tutors and an academic supervisor, as a postgraduate student you’ll be expected to develop and prove your ability to operate independently in both academic and professional settings.

Module title

Final Major Project

The Final Major Project is the culmination of your master’s course. You'll integrate and apply the knowledge, experiences and thinking you've developed to a project that you conceive and design. Your project should ideally be focused on your next professional steps – it can form part of your portfolio as you move towards work, further study or setting up a new business. It may be based on conducting research, solving a practical problem, or creating an artefact – or it may be a combination of all three. Whichever approach you choose, you will critically record and reflect on your intellectual, creative and investigative processes in detail. While you’ll have the support of your course tutors and an academic supervisor, as a postgraduate student you’ll be expected to develop and prove your ability to operate independently in both academic and professional settings.

MA International Relations

My time at Regent's was a privilege – the campus, the international community and the professors, who were all highly knowledgeable and deeply committed to our needs. Thanks to Regent's, I learned the essential skills needed to embark on my career. Jakob Julius Pühringer, Policy Advisor at Austrian Federal Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism, Regent’s alumnus

My experience at Regent’s was one that I’ll never forget. Learning from some of the brightest minds in the field of IR, I gained new perspectives and learnt how to put my analytical thinking and research skills into practice. Gabrielle Tedder, Regent's alumna and Researcher at a leading private investigator.

Take a 360 virtual tour of our Regent's Park campus

Programme details