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Politics and International Relations at UEA
Find out more about studying Politics and International Relations at UEA, and browse our other courses.
Find out moreMA International Relations (Part time)
Key details
- Attendance
- Part Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Arts
- Course Length
- 2 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2027
Other Start Dates
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UEA is ranked top 20 in the UK for Research QualityCourse Overview
Why MA International Relations at UEA?
This MA sharpens your critical thinking and extends your theoretical range to make sense of a world shaped by power, economics, and global interdependence.
At UEA, you'll be part of a research community whose work spans global governance, regional politics, and the forces reshaping international order.
Why Choose UEA
- Global scope: Engage with international relations theory and critical approaches to global politics
- Intentional expertise: Build expertise in global political economy, human rights, or regional politics across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Global South
- Policy in practice: Access partnerships with think tanks, international organisations, and policy institutions that bring real-world experience into your degree
What is MA International Relations?
This MA offers a rigorous and wide-ranging education in the theories, institutions, and dynamics shaping contemporary world affairs. From global economic governance and human rights to regional power rivalries and diplomatic practice, the curriculum is genuinely broad.
Core theoretical training is balanced with flexible specialist options, allowing you to pursue a path that reflects your own intellectual priorities. Research methods training equips you with the tools to investigate international relations questions independently and rigorously.
Open to graduates from any discipline and professionals from any sector, the programme provides expertise and connections to open doors across the worlds of policy, diplomacy, and international development.
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Careers
Career Pathways
With a MA International Relations Part-Time degree, you could launch a career as:
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Policy analyst: Evaluate international developments and produce evidence-based analysis for governments, think tanks, and international organisations
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Diplomatic and foreign service officer: Represent national or multilateral interests across a wide range of bilateral and international contexts
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Advocacy and outreach officer: Develop and communicate policy positions for NGOs, human rights organisations, and international advocacy networks
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Global risk analyst: Assess political, economic, and geopolitical risks for corporations, consultancies, and financial institutions operating internationally
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International development professional: Design and implement programmes addressing poverty, governance, and sustainable development across global context
Career Support
UEA's Career Central(opens in a new window) offers tailored support for students pursuing careers across diplomatic, policy, and international affairs sectors. You'll have access to one-to-one guidance, skills workshops, and networking opportunities with alumni working across key international organisations. Our school's employability director provides specialist support for international affairs roles, alongside connections to partner institutions and internship opportunities. Collaborations with organisations such as the European Institute for Asian Studies offer additional opportunities to gain published research and policy experience.
After the Course
Graduates have gone on to roles in diplomatic services, international organisations including the UN, EU, and NATO, and think tanks across the globe. Others have built careers in NGOs, journalism, corporate strategic advisory, and international development organisations worldwide. The analytical, intercultural, and communication skills developed on this programme are highly valued across all these sectors and beyond. Whichever path you choose, you’ll leave equipped with the expertise and professional connections to pursue a meaningful international career.
Study and Modules
Structure
Our two-year, part-time MA in International Relations offers a flexible pathway for professionals balancing career commitments with academic advancement. Through engaging lectures, interactive seminars, and workshops, you'll embark on a stimulating intellectual journey into global politics.
Your first year establishes strong foundations through core modules in international relations theory, exploring key frameworks that provide essential analytical tools for understanding complex global dynamics. You'll develop crucial research capabilities through our social enquiry methods module, mastering techniques such as interview methods, survey design, and data analysis that prepare you for independent research.
You'll begin tailoring your studies through optional modules reflecting your interests and career aspirations. You may choose to explore topics from global governance institutions and emerging power dynamics to simulated war games and evolving diplomatic practices.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 20)Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Structure
Your second year deepens specialisation through additional optional modules aligned with contemporary challenges. You might focus on European integration politics, China and Japan's evolving global roles, American foreign policy, or regional security challenges.
The culmination of your MA journey is the dissertation—an independent research project conducted with guidance from an academic supervisor whose expertise matches your interests. This capstone experience allows you to make an original contribution while demonstrating the analytical and research skills developed throughout the programme.
The part-time structure creates a dynamic relationship between academic learning and professional development, allowing immediate application of new analytical approaches in your workplace context.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 20)Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning, and Assessment
Teaching and Learning
Teaching combines research-led lectures, small-group seminars, and research methods workshops, delivered by internationally recognised specialists in international relations. Small-group seminars encourage rigorous debate and diverse perspectives, bringing together students from varied professional and academic backgrounds. Your time balances structured teaching with independent learning, developing the self-directed research capabilities valued in international affairs careers. The part-time structure allows you to apply new analytical frameworks directly in your professional context throughout the degree.
In year one, structured core teaching introduces key theoretical frameworks alongside research methods training, supporting your transition into postgraduate study. In year two, teaching shifts toward greater independence, with dedicated dissertation supervision from an academic whose expertise aligns closely with your research interests.
Assessment
Assessment is designed to develop the analytical, communicative, and research skills that international affairs careers demand. You'll complete policy briefs, research essays, and presentations across the programme, reflecting the diversity of tasks in real-world policy and diplomatic contexts. Formative feedback throughout ensures you can refine your analytical approach before summative work is due.
In year one, assessments build your confidence in policy analysis, theoretical argumentation, and presenting complex ideas to diverse audiences. In year two, your dissertation is your most substantial research undertaking, demonstrating your ability to investigate complex international questions independently and rigorously under expert supervision.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
This course is open to UK and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Any subject area
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
This course is open to UK and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.2 or equivalent
Degree Subject
Any subject area
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 6.0 overall with minimum 5.5 in all components.
Test dates should be within 2 years of the course start date.
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies(opens in a new window) for a list of qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not meet the English language requirements for this course, our UEA International Study Centre offers a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.
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- UEA International Study Centre
If you do not meet the academic requirements for this course, you may be able to study the International Pre-Masters programme offered by our partner UEA International Study Centre. This programme guarantees progression to selected Master's degrees if students achieve the appropriate grade. For more details, please click here:
International Pre-Masters in Business, Economics and Social Sciences(opens in a new window)
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2027/28 are:
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UK Students: £11,200
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International Students: £23,580
If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home students).
If you choose to take this course with a placement year, your tuition fees for the first year will be as shown above. An additional fee of £3,500 will apply for the placement year (see our FAQs page for further details).
We estimate living expenses at £1,171 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here(opens in a new window).
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships(opens in a new window); please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees(opens in a new window) for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form(opens in a new window).
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk(opens in a new window)
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students(opens in a new window) section of our website.