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International Relations

MSc

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Key information

Key information for 2026-27

Start date:
October 2026 | January 2027
Study route:

October start:

  • One year full-time, on campus
  • One year full-time, online
  • One year full-time, flexible learning
  • Two years part-time, on campus
  • Two years part-time, online
  • Two years part-time, flexible learning

January start:

  • One year full-time, on campus
  • Two years part-time, on campus
Status:
Fully approved
Location:
Birkbeck Campus, Central London
Awarding body:
University of London
Study options:
Full-time | Part-time | Flexible learning | On campus | Online

Course overview

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 will I 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, war, digital politics and international history, as well as specialised regional politics and research skills in politics and social science methods.

  • How will I 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.

  • How often will I attend classes?

    Full- or part-time October start: One to two evenings a week, October to July.

    Full- or part-time January start: One to two evenings a week, January to December.

  • Flexible Master's

    This course is part of our Birkbeck Flexible Master’s UK, which gives you the choice of how you want to study - on campus, online or via flexible learning, which combines both.

    If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. Online and flexible options will not be available to you because they may affect the conditions of your visa.

    Please note, courses starting in January are not part of the Flexible Master's UK and will take place on campus.

  • Course disclaimer

    Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

    Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.

More 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.

Modules and Teaching

School of Social Sciences

The school offers an invigorating and enriching educational experience, and students are taught by internationally renowned researchers with an exciting range of expertise. 

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Entry requirements

Our standard entry requirements for postgraduate courses are a second-class honours degree (2:2), or equivalent, in any area of study.

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.

Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered, and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.

  • What are the English language requirements?

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

    If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our international study skills page for more details about how we can help.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

  • What are the visa and funding requirements?

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

    The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

    • Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
    • Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

    International students who require a Student visa should apply to study on our courses full-time as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol to study part-time courses at Birkbeck (with the exception of some modules).

    As a Student visa student, you should also apply to study on campus only, as online and flexible options of study (if they are available for your course) may affect the conditions of your visa.

    For full information, read our visa information for international students page.

    Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

  • Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

    If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

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Fees

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £6,000 per year
Full-time home students: £12,000 per year
Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
Full-time international students: £20,850 per year

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, online, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £6,000 per year
Full-time home students: £12,000 per year
Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
Full-time international students: £20,850 per year

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, flexible learning, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £6,000 per year
Full-time home students: £12,000 per year
Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
Full-time international students: £20,850 per year

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in January 2027

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £6,000 per year
Full-time home students: £12,000 per year
Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
Full-time international students: £20,850 per year

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the Fees Policy.

Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

Birkbeck's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by The Times.

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

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Student support

Birkbeck offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.

Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.

Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.

Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.

Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at Birkbeck.

How to apply

You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link.

You will need to prove your identity when you apply. Find out more about how to apply.

Related courses

Study routes for International Relations (MSc)

Please select a study route below to continue your application.

Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.

Starting in October 2026

Full-time

Part-time

Starting in January 2027

Full-time

Part-time