International Relations

MA

  • Entry year 2025 or 2024
  • Duration Full time 1 year, Part time 2 years

Overview

Top reasons to study with us

  • Study with experts in Politics and International Relations from across the World

  • World Top 50 Arts & Humanities THE World University Rankings 2024

  • Internship and placement opportunities

Why Lancaster?

  • Learn from a teaching team who have extensive experience in the world of research and policymaking
  • Complete an internship alongside your studies to apply what you learn to a real organisation and see policymaking in action
  • Keep up to speed with changes by exploring new trends and developments in international relations as they happen
  • Expand your understanding of different research methods, from statistical analysis to fieldwork
  • Develop the skills you need for a rewarding role in areas such as the Civil Service, think tanks, NGOs and research centres

Issues around immigration. Shifting power dynamics. Conflict across countries. Addressing these challenges starts with looking at relationships between nations. Join us to look at the world through a critical lens while understanding what it takes to create new policies and carry out vital research.

A critical lens

The relationship between academia and the real world is central to this course. Many experts at Lancaster have been policymakers so they’ll teach you what it takes to translate theory into practice. Our teaching is interdisciplinary too, which means you’ll hear from experts in religion, philosophy, diplomacy and more – subjects that intersect with international relations.

We’ll help you explore the latest trends in international relations in areas like queer studies and post-colonialism, as well as discussing how environmental issues are impacting on policymaking.

Outstanding research skills

From quantitative studies to fieldwork, you’ll discover what it takes to use a range of research methods to advance your knowledge in this area. Combined with your understanding of theory, concepts and practice, your analytical skills will be valuable to employers in a range of areas.

If you want to add more experience to your CV, try applying to our internship programme for the chance to do exactly that. By working with an organisation in this sector, you’ll see firsthand how new policies are created and get lots of practice writing them too. Perhaps this experience will shape your dissertation which can be on any area of international relations.

Careers

By the time you finish this course, people will view you as an outstanding critical thinker and confident public speaker. You’ll also be able to work with others to solve different challenges and thrive as part of a team. All of this will help you stand out to potential employers and secure your ideal role.

Our graduates find fantastic roles in:

  • The Civil Service
  • Research centres
  • Think tanks
  • NGOs

Many of our alumni also continue to carry on research in this field using their knowledge of a diverse range of methods.

Entry requirements

Academic Requirements

2:1 degree in a related subject is normally required. We will also consider applications where you have a degree in other subjects, have a 2:2 or equivalent result and/or extensive relevant experience. In these cases, you should clearly demonstrate how your experience and skills have prepared you for postgraduate study.

If you have studied outside of the UK, we would advise you to check our list of international qualifications before submitting your application.

English Language Requirements

We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.

We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 6.5, and a minimum of 5.5 in each element of the test. We also consider other English language qualifications.

If your score is below our requirements, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language programmes.

Contact: Admissions Team +44 (0) 1524 592032 or email pgadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk

Pre-master’s programmes

Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored pre-master’s pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University master’s degrees. Visit the INTO Lancaster University website for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.

Course structure

You will study a range of modules as part of your course, some examples of which are listed below.

Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, but changes may be necessary, for example as a result of student feedback, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes, and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.

Core

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Optional

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Fees and funding

Location Full Time (per year) Part Time (per year)
Home £11,960 £5,980
International £24,830 £12,415

General fees and funding information

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Scholarships and bursaries

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status and course. You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.

If you're considering postgraduate research you should look at our funded PhD opportunities.

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We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.

Postgraduate digital open event - 6 November

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Important Information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.