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Overview
Our International Relations MA will provide you with an advanced and comprehensive understanding of the forces shaping the world and the challenges they pose both to individual states and to the international community. It explores in depth a range of cutting-edge topics, including globalisation, ethics and human rights, the international political economy, war, global environmental crises, and security through the perspectives of politics and international relations, philosophy and social theory. You will be taught by some of the world's leading International Relations experts, who will help you develop the skills to undertake an extended research project on a topic of your choice.
Key benefits
- Develop research skills of in-depth and critical analysis of international politics, and become familiar with the latest, cutting-edge research in the discipline alongside up to date knowledge of world events as they unfold, including the new dimensions of international relations arising as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, warfare, climate change, big data and artificial intelligence, or the rise of China.
- A focus on conceptual, methodological, and analytical issues at the heart of International Relations will equip you with the analytical skills and in-depth knowledge required by a variety of professions.
- You will learn to communicate effectively and fluently in speech and writing; organise information coherently; use communication and information technology for the retrieval and presentation of information. Transferable skills include working with others, e.g., to work cooperatively on group tasks; understand how groups function; collaborate with others; and contribute effectively to the achievement of common goals, and working independently, by demonstrating initiative, motivation, self-organisation, personal responsibility, decision-making, and effective time management.
- You will be taught by some of the very best academics in the field. Our academic staff publish world-leading research and are committed to offering outstanding research-led teaching and training.
- Be part of a vibrant research community, world-renowned staff and an international student body who are drawn from a wide variety of academic and professional backgrounds.
- Unique opportunity to study in a multidisciplinary department devoted to the study of all aspects of war and conflict and the broad remit of international relations.
- A chance to network and connect with visiting academics, government ministers, diplomats and other experts who are part of our War Studies community and give regular public lectures and seminars.
- An opportunity to take advantage of our extensive and continually growing network of links with other departments, think-tanks, organisations, policymaking bodies and institutions both in the UK and abroad.
- Graduates from this programme have gone on to careers in a variety of fields, including the UK government and security services, non-governmental organisations, the EU, NATO, the UN (and its many agencies), academia, think tanks, global charities, such as Oxfam, Greenpeace, and Amnesty International and multi-national corporations.
- Our unrivalled location in the heart of London beside the river Thames brings outstanding advantages, including proximity to the Royal Courts of Justice, leading NGOs and research institutions, Westminster and London's legal quarter.
Since starting this program, I have been very pleased with the welcoming and supportive community that I have found at King’s College London. In addition to being located in one of the most exciting and diverse cities in the world, King’s is home to an incredible community of passionate, encouraging and kind individuals who are supportive of peoples’ endeavours to be involved with the greater global community.
AnmolInternational Relations MA
Course essentials
Our International Relations MA will provide you with an advanced and comprehensive understanding of the forces shaping the world and the challenges they pose both to individual states and to the international community. The movement of capital, goods, services, and people, the emergence of network organisations that transcend state boundaries, the impact of global media and information technology (including AI), the rise of identity politics, regional integration, as well as warfare on a global scale have all had a transformative impact on the state, inter-state relations and global politics.
As part of your degree programme, you will focus on developing in-depth insight into traditional and emerging trends at the heart of International Relations. These include challenges posed to states by other international actors, analysis of the global political economy, climate change, the impact of big data and artificial intelligence, global climate change, new identity politics and its international ramifications and the political implications of the Covid 19 pandemic.
Through a variety of teaching and assessment methods, including lectures, seminars, London walks, museum visits, simulations, and class presentations, you will develop key analytical and research skills to confidently develop your own exploration of issues at the heart of global affairs. You will also get the freedom to explore the topics that interest you most as part of your dissertation topic.
This MA is based in the Department of War Studies, one of the few academic departments in the world to focus solely on the complexities of conflict and security. War Studies is a multidisciplinary department and all War Studies students benefit from research-led teaching in such subjects as the history and evolution of war and grand strategy, arms control and non-proliferation, migration, strategic thought, cyber security, conflict and the environment, the influence of science and technology on international security, along with regional specialisms covering the MENA region, Asia, Russia and elsewhere.
This degree can be taken as part of a joint arrangement with our partner institution, Sciences Po that offers a graduate programme in International Affairs. Please see the Teaching & Structure tab above for more information.
Key Information
Course type:
Master's
Delivery mode:
On campus
Study mode:
Full time / Part time
Duration:
One year full-time, September to September, two years part-time
Credit value:
UK 180 / ECTS 90
Application status:
Open
Start date:
September 2026
Administrative bodies
Regulating body
Application closing date guidance
Base campuses
Waterloo Campus
Our Waterloo campus is home to the Florence Nightingale Faculty Nursing & Midwifery, and a vibrant hub for health, social science, and law students. Located moments from the iconic landmarks of South Bank and just a short walk to the Stand campus.