International Relations MA
Year of entry 2025
- Start date
- September 2025
- Delivery type
- On campus
- Duration
- 12 months full time
- Entry requirements
- A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in a social science, humanities, or related discipline.
Full entry requirements - English language requirements
- IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component.
- UK fees
- £13,500 (Total)
- International fees
- £26,000 (Total)
- Contact
- pgpolis@leeds.ac.uk
Course overview
This course will shape your understanding of international relations by examining a wide range of advanced theories, approaches, and stimulating debates in the complex field of international politics and relations.
You'll analyse topics central to the functioning of the international system and explore contemporary and historical approaches, focusing on country-specific, regional and international processes. The course takes an interdisciplinary approach and reflects the broadening nature of international relations beyond the confines of inter-state relationships.
You'll have the opportunity to develop expertise in a specialist area of interest to you by tailoring your studies with a choice of optional modules, while working with leaders in the field of international relations. As well as enhancing your knowledge in international relations – and the complex and contradictory forces that shape the global agenda – you’ll be equipped with excellent research skills and develop your knowledge of relevant methodologies and approaches.
Course highlights
This course features research-led teaching in the dynamic, ever-changing field of international relations, and is directly informed by the innovative research that occurs in the European Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, recognised internationally for its work on atrocity prevention, and other versatile clusters including the Centre for Global Security Challenges and Centre for Global Development.
Studying in the School of Politics and International Studies
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Course details
You’ll get the opportunity to explore today’s global challenges and examine international relations at an advanced level.
The modules studied will enable you to:
gain a better understanding of the international system and how it interacts with states and societies worldwide
link theoretical ideas to events in the international system, both historical and contemporary
demonstrate that international politics is a struggle for ideas as well as power.
You’ll examine the relationship between the struggle for power and the struggle for ideas. You’ll investigate some of the ideological and philosophical movements that have shaped – and continue to shape – the international system, and you’ll consider a variety of competing positions with reference to events in the real world.
You’ll also be able to hone your research and writing skills in your compulsory dissertation – an independent piece of research on your chosen topic.
The wide-ranging list of optional modules means that you can explore a diverse range of related subjects of interest to you.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.
Year 1 compulsory modules
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| International Relations I: International Thought in Historical Context | 30 |
| International Relations II: Contemporary International Theory | 30 |
| Dissertation | 60 |
Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
You will study 60 credits from the modules below:
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Africa in the Contemporary World | 30 |
| European Defence and Security Analysis | 30 |
| The Rise of China | 30 |
| Contemporary Politics of the Middle East | 30 |
| Global Security Challenges | 30 |
| Global Security: Concepts and Debates | 30 |
| Popular Culture: World politics, Society and Culture | 30 |
| Terrorism | 30 |
| Climate Security | 30 |
| Global Governance | 30 |
| Capitalism in Practice | 30 |
| The Responsibility to Protect | 30 |
Learning and teaching
We use a variety of teaching and learning methods to help you make the most of your studies. These will include lectures, lively seminar discussions, online learning and guided weekly readings. We expect you to participate fully in taught sessions and to study independently, developing your skills and preparing for lectures and seminars. You will also be able to benefit from an impressive range of research talks and seminars led by outside speakers or colleagues from within the department and University.
On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
Within modules, assessment currently consists exclusively of assessed essays. At the end of your studies, a 12,000-word dissertation will allow you to pursue your own research interest under close supervision by one of our expert colleagues.
Applying
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) or a non-UK equivalent in a social science, humanities, or another related discipline (that includes a minimum of five social science and humanities modules).
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component.. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Politics and Society (6 weeks) and Language for Social Sciences and Arts: Politics and Society (10 weeks).
We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional and our 10 week online pre-sessional.
You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.
How to apply
Application deadlines
International – Friday 27 June 2025
UK – Friday 15 August 2025
If you intend to apply for funding, you should submit an application for a place on your chosen course at least one month before any specific scholarship deadline.
The ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page will take you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.
If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Documents and information you will need include:
original or certified copies of your transcripts
original or certified copies of your degree certificate
original or certified copy of your IELTS/TOEFL results (if English is not your first language).
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2025
This course is taught by
School of Politics and International Studies
Contact us
School of Politics and International Studies
Email: pgpolis@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:
Fees
UK: £13,500 (Total)
International: £26,000 (Total)
Read more about paying fees and charges.
For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.
Additional cost information
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.
Scholarships and financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more at Masters funding overview.
The School usually offers a number of scholarships each year. Find out more about our scholarship opportunities.
Career opportunities
This course provides you with an ideal preparation for a career in the international political arena. It equips you with critical thinking, research and communication skills and in-depth knowledge sought after by employers.
Recent graduates have gone on to work in the UK and overseas for charities, not-for-profit organisations, government, media organisations and beyond.
Organisations graduates have gone on to include the Ministry of Defence; Save the Children; House of Commons; Open Society Foundations, and ACTED amongst others. Many also pursue further study by commencing PhD research.
Careers support
The School of Politics and International Studies has a dedicated Careers Consultant, who is on-hand throughout the year to support and advise you in regards to your career. The School also arranges a number of guest speaker events where you are able to engage with prospective employers and hear from leading figures in the field.
Find out more about how we support your career development
In addition to the School-specific careers support, you will also have access to the University’s award-winning Careers Centre. The Careers Centre offers one-to-one appointments, advice on starting your own business, careers events, mentoring schemes and support with your CV, applications and interviews.