International Relations MA (Hons)

Level: Undergraduate

Subject: Politics and International Relations

Year of entry: 2026

Key facts

UCAS Code

L250

Award

MA (Hons)

Duration of study

4 years

Delivery

Full-time

Study location

Central Area

Start date

September 2026

School

School of Social and Political Science

College

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Study abroad

Available

Placement

No

Open days and events

About the degree programme

International Relations studies:

  • actions and challenges that transcend national boundaries
  • the resulting conflicts or attempts at cooperation

How do states cope with our highly complex and interconnected world? 

How can we tackle problems like climate change, global economic inequality, and interstate war? 

Do our very ideas about state power, sovereignty, democracy, justice, legitimacy, and order have to change when we think about the international level?

Guided by leading academics and researchers in the field, you will explore:

  • the origins and evolution of the state system
  • the emergence of global non-state actors
  • the power of international institutions
  • the driving forces behind international cooperation and conflict

How long it takes to complete this degree programme

This programme is studied over 4 years.

A key benefit to studying a 4-year degree programme is that you have the flexibility to study a range of subjects, outside your chosen degree programme, in Year 1 and Year 2.

This allows you the opportunity to study other courses that interest you or enhance your degree. By the end of Year 2, you can decide which of these subject areas you want to focus on in the honours years of your programme.

How long it takes to complete our degree programmes

Programme rankings

  • Ranked in the UK's top 10 universities for politics in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025.

Programme benefits

  • Many honours courses feature innovative learning methods such as simulations or practical exercises.
  • Study under leading academics and researchers in the field.
  • Home to the Scottish Parliament, the city of Edinburgh offers the perfect location in which to study politics.

Find your entry requirements

Use the dropdowns to find out your entry requirements.

  1. Select the country or region where you are studying or where you studied your qualification.
  2. Select the qualification you are studying or studied.
United Kingdom,

Tuition fees for MA (Hons) International Relations

View the tuition fees for one academic year of MA (Hons) International Relations.

Tuition fees for this programme

Accommodation and living costs

You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.

We estimate that a single student can potentially spend £1,023 to £2,043 on living costs each month, depending on your accommodation.

This estimate covers the costs of:

  • accommodation
  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel within Edinburgh
  • health and wellbeing costs

See a breakdown of living costs

Scholarships and funding

Funding information

You can find detailed information on financial support available, based on where you are living, in our funding section.

Funding

What you will study

You will take three compulsory courses:

  • Politics and International Relations 1A: Concepts and Debates
  • Politics and International Relations 1B: The Global Dimension
  • Political Thinkers, an introductory political theory course

You will take three option courses of your choice.

Find courses

The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.

You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.

Find Year 1 courses (2025-2026 academic year)

You will take two compulsory courses:

  • Theories of International Relations
  • Introduction to Political Data Analysis

You will take four option courses of your choice.

Find courses

The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.

You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.

Find Year 2 courses (2025-2026 academic year)

You will take Research Design in Politics and International Relations, in preparation for your honours dissertation in Year 4.

You will also take a further five courses from the wide range of honours options available, in subjects such as:

  • international political economy
  • global security
  • US foreign policy
  • human rights
  • gender
  • African politics
  • the Middle East

Many more options are available.

Find courses

The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.

You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.

Find Year 3 courses (2025-2026 academic year)

You will choose four honours courses from a wide range of politics and international relations topics.

You will also complete an honours dissertation on a topic of your choice.

Find courses

The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.

You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.

Find Year 4 courses (2025-2026 academic year)

Study abroad

You will have the opportunity to study abroad in Year 3 of this degree at one of our partner universities.

If international travel restrictions allow, you may be able to choose where you study from our selection of international partners.

A study abroad experience will allow you to immerse yourself in a different culture, enrich your learning and enhance your future job opportunities.

Your study abroad options

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

Most courses will be taught mainly through a combination of:

  • lectures
  • tutorials
  • seminars

Many honours courses feature innovative learning methods such as simulations or practical exercises.

Most pre-honours courses feature a teaching team of subject experts, while honours courses are normally convened by one staff member whose expertise directly corresponds to the course theme.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a variety of methods, such as:

  • essays
  • exams
  • policy briefs
  • group presentations
  • tutorial participation exercises

Support for your studies

You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.

We will assign you to a student adviser, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need.

Support for your studies

Our academic staff

Our people are the most important thing about our subject area. It takes a team of academics, professional services colleagues and PhD students working together to deliver our teaching, carry out our research and keep the department running. Together, they form a supportive community covering a range of professional expertise.

You can search for academic staff by name or role on our school website.

Search academic staff by name or role

Where you will study

Study location

The majority of teaching takes place at facilities located within the University's Central Area.

Academic facilities

You will also have access to the University's library and computer facilities.

Career paths

In recent years, graduates have entered careers in areas such as:

  • the civil service
  • foreign affairs
  • political and parliamentary research

This programme will also equip you with transferable skills required for employment in areas such as:

  • finance and consultancy
  • the voluntary sector
  • journalism
  • teaching

Some graduates choose to go on to further training in accountancy or law, or take postgraduate programmes with a view to pursuing an academic career.

Our alumni include:

  • government ministers
  • Members of Parliament
  • policy analysts
  • broadcasters
  • business leaders
  • teachers
  • social entrepreneurs

Careers Service

Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals.

The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies.

With the Careers Service, you can:

  • access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengths
  • try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
  • get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
  • attend careers events and practice interviews
  • get information and advice to help you make informed decisions

Visit the Careers Service website

Further study

After you complete your programme, you may want to go onto further study at Edinburgh or a different university. You could progress to:

  • a masters degree
  • a postgraduate diploma or certificate
  • a PhD
  • a second undergraduate degree

Find out about options for further study

How to apply

You must submit a full application through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) before the relevant deadline.

Guidance on applying through UCAS

What you need to apply

As part of your application, you will need:

  • your academic qualifications
  • a personal statement
  • evidence of your English language skills (with relevant qualifications)
  • a reference

How we select

If you have met, or are predicted to meet, all our entry requirements by the relevant deadline, then your application will go into our selection process.

As part of this selection process, we will review all the information you submit in your UCAS application when we decide who to select for this degree programme.

How we select applicants

When to apply

  • 2026 entry UCAS deadline: 14 January 2026 (6:00pm GMT)

This is the deadline for all UK, EU and international applicants to non-medicine and veterinary medicine programmes.

To find out if any degree programmes have spaces after 14 January 2026, search the University of Edinburgh on the UCAS website.

Search degrees that are open on the UCAS website

Key application dates and deadlines

After you apply

After you have applied for your degree programme, we suggest you have a look at the following information to help you prepare for university:

Applying as an international student

As an international student, you apply for this degree programme through UCAS.  

Find out more about applying through UCAS  

Visas and immigration 

If you do not have the right to live in the UK, you will need to apply for and secure a Student visa before the start date of your degree programme.  

Our Student Immigration Service can help you with the Student visa application process. 

Applying for a visa  

Agents  

An education agent is someone who can help you with the application process as an international student. 

We work with education agents around the world and have a list of local offices you can contact.  

Find contact details for an education agent

What our students say

Student testimonials

Hear about what it is like to study with us, and about life in Edinburgh from those who know it best: our students and graduates.

Testimonials from our students and graduates

Check out our student blog

Our team of School of Political Sciences (SPS) student writers share their experiences and thoughts on the things that matter to them on our student blog, for example:

  • writing your first assignment
  • what to do in Edinburgh on the weekend
  • what to expect in Welcome Week
  • living away from home
  • hybrid learning
  • living sustainably

Our SPS student blog

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single undergraduate students from outside Edinburgh. To be eligible, you need to meet all criteria and apply for accommodation by 16 August in the year of your entry to the University.

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.

Societies

Sports clubs

Additionally, most of the departments in the School of Social and Political Science (SPS) have associated student societies, which are designed to offer you the best chance to develop your interests, network and meet like-minded people.

Edinburgh Political Union

Sustainable Development Association

Sociology Society

Social Anthropology Society

Social Policy Society

Q-Step Society

The city of Edinburgh

Home to the Scottish Parliament, the city of Edinburgh offers the perfect location in which to study politics. We offer you a dynamic environment regularly hosting leading international academics, politicians and diplomats.

Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life.

Find out more about living in Edinburgh

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include:

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustment

Health and wellbeing support services

Contact us

Contact us through our enquiry team if you have any questions about this programme.

Open days, events and visits

Find out when our next open days will be taking place

Open days, events and visits

Chat to our students on Unibuddy

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Discover Uni data

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It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

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