International Relations

Birkbeck, University of London
Postgraduate MSc Full-time 1 Year Politics

About this course

Join us on this MSc International Relations as we analyse how international actors, including nation-states, multinational corporations and inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations, interact and pursue often conflicting agendas beyond national borders.

Why choose this course?

  • It introduces you to influential scholarship in the field of international relations (IR) by combining a focus on fundamental theoretical perspectives with comprehensive coverage of contemporary topics relating to both the Global North and Global South.

  • Our teaching draws on the diverse expertise of our research-active academics who are keen to share their insights and experience.

  • You will also benefit from the unique mix of students drawn to this course. Many will be London-based professionals, some of whom come from across the globe and many of whom have professional experience of international companies and organisations.

    What you will learn

    On this course you will examine the changing nature of trade, investment, and their relationship with state and society. You will also gain a historical understanding of the evolution of the global economy and its governance institutions, including UN agencies and bodies such as the World Trade Organization, and the ideas that shaped them.

    You will then be able to tailor your degree to your interests or career aspirations, by choosing from a rich range of option modules including on political theory and sociology, war and conflict, digital politics and international history, as well as specialised regional politics and research skills in politics and social science methods.

    How you will learn

    This MSc International Relations is available to study full- or part-time. It has an evening timetable with classes in the evening, some of which may be offered on campus as well as online, depending on the module. It is taught via seminars, lectures and small group work.

    You will complete the course by applying the concepts and methods you have learnt to write a dissertation on the topic that interests you most, with supervision from one of our expert academics.

    Highlights

  • Birkbeck staff and students working in international relations straddle government, think-tank and academic spheres. Staff have applied policy research experience in bodies such as Chatham House (Royal Institute for International Affairs), the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and think-tanks such as UK in a Changing Europe and the International Crisis Group.

  • Our campus in London offers students the chance to explore one of the world’s great multicultural cities, with access to world-class libraries and institutions like the British Museum and the British Library, as well as the research facilities of bodies such as those above.

  • We are proud of our vibrant research culture, powered by a shared passion for learning and intellectual engagement among our academics and students.

    Careers and employability

    On this MSc International Relations, you will develop the academic, social and analytical skills you need for both academic research and career progression in the modern workplace. On successfully graduating, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including in:

  • workload management

  • critical thinking

  • written and oral presentation skills

  • political analysis and debating

  • critically appraising international policy documents

  • project management and reporting.

    In recent years graduates from this course have been employed by the following organisations:

  • the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, as well as other civil service bodies

  • numerous London-based embassies and foreign ministries

  • FTSE 100 companies as well as London-based multinational companies such as Meta and Citibank

  • the International Maritime Organization

  • the European Commission

    • Study Options

    This course is available in 2 study options:

    Part-time

    Duration: 2 Years

    Qualification: MSc

    Location: London

    Full-time Shown above

    Duration: 1 Year

    Qualification: MSc

    Location: London

    Career Prospects

    Graduates from this course typically go into the following occupations:

    2435 Professional/Chartered company secretaries
    4112 Local government administrative occupations
    2434 Business and related research professionals
    4113 Officers of non-governmental organisations
    2493 Public relations professionals
    4111 National government administrative occupations

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    Course Details

    Qualification
    MSc
    Study Mode
    Full-time
    Duration
    1 Year
    Start Date
    2025
    Academic Year
    2025
    Campus / Location
    London
    Scheme
    Postgraduate
    Subjects
    Politics

    Offered by

    Birkbeck, University of London

    London

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