)
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
Key details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Arts
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- September 2026
Other Start Dates
Gain a competitive edge with a placement year
This course is also available with an integrated placement year, giving you the opportunity to gain valuable UK industry experience alongside your master's degree
Other Start Dates
14th
UEA is ranked 14th overall for research quality Politics and International Studies
Times Higher Education REF 2021 AnalysisTop 20
UEA is ranked top 20 in the UK for Research Quality
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.
)
Placement Year
You have the option to choose a variant of this course with an integrated placement year. This gives you valuable UK industry experience as part of your Master’s degree.
In year one, you’ll complete your academic studies, including your dissertation, alongside an employability programme preparing you for UK work.
In year two, you’ll secure an industry placement or complete three employer-led industry projects with different UK organisations. This extra year lets you apply your learning professionally, strengthen your CV with UK experience, and boost your global career prospects.
You’ll lead the search for your placement, supported by employability workshops, coaching, and guidance from our specialist placement partner.
If you don’t secure a placement, you’ll complete three employer-led industry projects with organisations across different UK sectors.
For more information, check out our Postgraduate Placement Year page.
Careers
Career Pathways
With a MA International Relations degree, you could launch a career as:
-
Policy analyst: Evaluate international developments and produce evidence-based analysis for governments, think tanks, and international organisations
-
Diplomatic and foreign service officer: Represent national or multilateral interests across a wide range of bilateral and international contexts
-
Advocacy and outreach officer: Develop and communicate policy positions for NGOs, human rights organisations, and international advocacy networks
-
Global risk analyst: Assess political, economic, and geopolitical risks for corporations, consultancies, and financial institutions operating internationally
-
International development professional: Design and implement programmes addressing poverty, governance, and sustainable development across global contexts
Career Support
UEA's Career Central 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 MA in International Relations offers a stimulating academic journey that combines theoretical depth with practical application. This one-year, full-time programme is carefully structured to develop your expertise through face-to-face teaching in lectures, seminars and interactive workshops during the autumn and spring semesters.
Your journey begins with core modules that establish strong foundations in international relations theory. These modules explore key conceptual frameworks—from realism and liberalism to constructivism and critical approaches—that provide analytical tools for understanding global politics. Alongside theoretical foundations, you'll develop essential research skills through our social enquiry methods module, mastering techniques such as interview methods, survey design, discourse analysis and data interpretation that prepare you for independent research.
The first semester also introduces your first optional modules, allowing you to begin tailoring your studies. You might explore global governance institutions, examine the dynamics of emerging powers, engage with strategic thinking through simulated war games, or analyse the evolving nature of diplomacy in the digital age.
The second semester offers even greater flexibility through a diverse range of specialist optional modules aligned with contemporary challenges and our faculty expertise. Depending on your interests and career goals, you might focus on European integration politics, investigate China and Japan's evolving roles in global affairs, analyse American foreign policy, or examine international development paradigms.
The final component of your MA is the dissertation—a substantial independent research project. This capstone experience allows you to investigate a compelling international relations question of your choosing with support from an academic supervisor whose expertise aligns with your research area. The dissertation represents an opportunity to make an original contribution to knowledge while demonstrating the analytical and research skills you've developed throughout the programme.
Throughout your MA journey, our teaching emphasises the connection between theoretical understanding and real-world application, preparing you for diverse career paths in global affairs.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 60)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
Our MA in International Relations creates a dynamic learning environment where critical analysis and independent thinking flourish. You'll develop the ability to evaluate complex sources, construct rigorous arguments, and engage confidently in scholarly debates about global challenges.
Our teaching team comprises internationally recognised researchers who bring their expertise directly into the classroom. Specialists in international relations theory, global political economy, security studies, political philosophy, and media studies ensure you benefit from cutting-edge research across these fields. This research-led approach means you'll engage with the same questions that drive contemporary scholarship.
We embrace interdisciplinary perspectives, creating a distinctive programme that bridges theoretical understanding with practical application. Our small-group seminars encourage lively debate and the exchange of diverse viewpoints, enhanced by our internationally diverse student community. This collaborative environment is complemented by our regular programme of research seminars, visiting speakers, and policy workshops that connect academic insights with real-world practice.
Throughout the programme, you'll develop sophisticated independent research skills. From analysing scholarly literature and evaluating competing theoretical perspectives to designing research projects and presenting findings, these capabilities culminate in your dissertation. During this final project, you'll benefit from personalised supervision by an academic whose expertise aligns with your research interests.
Your time will be balanced between structured teaching (25%) and independent learning (75%), reflecting our commitment to developing self-directed researchers capable of contributing original insights to international relations scholarship and practice.
Assessment
Our MA employs diverse assessment methods designed to develop skills essential for international affairs careers. You'll craft policy briefs analysing complex global challenges, write research essays examining theoretical perspectives, deliver presentations on contemporary issues, and participate in collaborative projects reflecting the team-based nature of professional practice.
Each assessment builds specific capabilities—from critical analysis and evidence evaluation to clear communication of sophisticated arguments. Formative feedback opportunities throughout the programme allow you to refine your work before final submission, while individual guidance helps you develop a compelling dissertation that showcases your research capabilities. This carefully designed assessment approach ensures you graduate with both academic excellence and professional competencies valued by employers across the international relations sector.
Teaching and Learning, and Assessment
Teaching and Learning
Teaching on the MA International Relations is research-led, connecting you directly to cutting-edge debates in international relations theory, global political economy, and governance. An interdisciplinary approach draws on expertise across political philosophy, media studies, security studies, and regional specialisations to develop a genuinely comprehensive understanding of world affairs. Small-group seminars, research workshops, and visiting speaker events create a dynamic environment that develops both analytical rigour and practical professional skills. Our internationally diverse student community enriches discussion with a wide range of perspectives, backgrounds, and professional experiences.
In your first semester, structured teaching in core modules is balanced with research methods training and your first optional specialist modules. As the year progresses, the emphasis shifts toward independent inquiry, with supervision increasingly shaped by your dissertation questions and developing specialist interests.
Assessment
Assessment on this MA is varied and designed to develop the skills most valued in international affairs careers. You'll complete policy briefs, research essays, presentations, and collaborative projects, each building specific analytical and communication capabilities. Formative feedback opportunities throughout the year allow you to refine your approach and develop your arguments before final submission.
In your first semester, assessments combine individual and collaborative formats, building both independent analytical skills and the ability to work effectively with others. The dissertation, on an international relations question of your choosing, is where your independent research capabilities come fully into their own. Your final degree classification will reflect your performance across all modules and your dissertation, providing a comprehensive picture of your academic and professional development.
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):
-
IELTS: 6.0 overall with minimum 5.5 in each component.
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.
-
- 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.
)
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2026/27 are:
-
UK Students: £11,200
-
International Students: £23,850
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.
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 for details of other 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.