International Relations MSc

This course is in clearing

Overview

Course options

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MSc

International Relations MSc, home applicant, full time

  • Home Applicant
  • Full time, 1 year
  • Pound 10860 per year

International Relations MSc, home applicant, part time

  • Home Applicant
  • Part time, 2 years
  • Pound 1810 per 30 credit module

International Relations MSc, international applicant, full time

  • International Applicant
  • Full time, 1 year
  • Pound 17040 per year

What makes this course different

1st In UK to focus on global environmental politics

This cutting-edge course was the first of its kind to have a special focus on global environmental politics.

World-renowned experts

Our academic team are world-renowned experts in current global debates through their pioneering research.

Global community

Join a global community of students and researchers

Course modules

NOTE: Modules are subject to change. For those studying part time courses the modules may vary.

Download course specification

What we're researching

You will be taught by research-active, well-published academic staff who are experts in their field.

Our academic team are actively researching the key issues of today's globalised world, such as fair trade and wellbeing, justice and natural resource extraction, comparative perspectives of urban deprivation and gender and development.

We are engaged in cutting-edge research in the area of post-human approaches to international relations, 'the post-human way of war', gender power systems of conflict and violence, psychosocial aspects of forced displacement, digital diasporas, social capital and integration.

Our staff also have regional expertise and excellent contacts in Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe and Western Balkans.

We have several research centres and groups in the area of global studies and run many research seminars and events. All of our postgraduate students are welcome to become part of our vibrant research community.

Your future career

Some of our students have already worked in an international relations environment while others are looking to start a career in the area.
Many aspire to work for the United Nations or develop a career in international policy or development at a government level. Some have used the skills they have developed on the course to forge careers in local as well as national governments. 
Our course will give you the advanced skills to take your career to a new level. You will also learn how to work in an international environment and how to influence the debate.

Expert-led learning

Throughout the course, you will have the expertise of our distinguished academic team to guide you. 

Course Leader Dr Stephen Hobden has published on international relations theory and has contributed to the emerging paradigm of posthumanism. He is currently writing a book related to the International Relations Theory module that is part of the programme. 

Dr Robert Ahearne leads the module on global environmental politics. Dr Ahearne is an expert on resource use in Africa and his research has focused on development processes in Tanzania. 

The depth and breadth of their knowledge and the creative teaching methods on this course may well inspire you to pursue your own career in academic research or teaching.

Career options

Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal.

Law with International Relations UG course hero
MSc International Relations at UEL has been an enjoyable and worthwhile experience. The lectures are engaging and stimulating and the staff are friendly and approachable. This course has given me the tools and confidence to move forward in my career."
Katy Savage,

MSc International Relations

How we support your career ambitions

We offer dedicated careers support, and further opportunities to thrive, such as volunteering and industry networking. Our courses are created in collaboration with employers and industry to ensure they accurately reflect the real-life practices of your future career and provide you with the essential skills needed. You can focus on building interpersonal skills through group work and benefit from our investment in the latest cutting-edge technologies and facilities.

Career Zone

Our dedicated and award-winning team provide you with careers and employability resources, including:

  • Online jobs board for internships, placements, graduate opportunities, flexible part-time work.
  • Mentoring programmes for insight with industry experts 
  • 1-2-1 career coaching services
  • Careers workshops and employer events 
  • Learning pathways to gain new skills and industry insight

Mental Wealth programme

Our Professional Fitness and Mental Wealth programme which issues you with a Careers Passport to track the skills you’ve mastered. Some of these are externally validated by corporations like Amazon and Microsoft.

Our Mental Wealth programme

We are careers first

Our teaching methods and geographical location put us right up top

  • Enterprise and entrepreneurship support 
  • We are ranked 6th for graduate start-ups 
  • Networking and visits to leading organisations 
  • Support in starting a new business, freelancing and self-employment 
  • London on our doorstep

How you'll learn

Our students are not only from diverse countries and backgrounds but they also have a wide age range. Some have already worked in international bodies while others are coming to the issues for the first time.



Whatever your age or background, we encourage you to become part of our research community during your time on the course.  We also give students the confidence to increase their publication profile. One of our current students, for example, has written a book review during the course that was published in an international journal.

Learning opportunities

In addition to traditional teaching methods of lectures and seminars, we also organise special mini-conferences where students present their work to their fellow students and academics and chair panel discussions. 

The day-long conferences provide opportunities to answer probing questions about your work and to quiz others on their findings. 

This kind of specialist training is designed to enhance your confidence and communication skills when taking part in international conferences and events and in presenting your ideas in a public environment. 

The conferences are also a creative way of broadening your knowledge and providing you with inspiration and ideas for research.

How you'll be assessed

You'll be assessed through a wide range of marked coursework, including essays, project work, oral presentations, critical readings, annotated bibliographies, publicity briefings, and independent research reports. You'll also undertake a dissertation in which you'll carry out a piece of research in an area of your choice.

Campus and facilities

Water Lane, Stratford