MA International Relations
About this course
MA (Hons) in International Relations, a politics and international relations degree centred on the study of global political dynamics, institutional cooperation, and cross-border conflict. Core topics include Data Analysis and Policy Analysis. The curriculum spans four years, beginning with foundational concepts in global dimensions and political thinkers before moving on to specialized areas such as human rights, global security, and international political economy. The first year introduces core concepts and debates through Politics and International Relations 1A: Concepts and Debates, Politics and International Relations 1B: The Global Dimension, and Political Thinkers, an introductory political theory course. The second year builds analytical and theoretical capabilities with Theories of International Relations and Introduction to Political Data Analysis. The third year broadens the scope through international political economy, global security, human rights, gender, African politics, the Middle East, the Asia Pacific, and foreign policy analysis.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: from A*A*A* to AAA (required: no specific A level subjects required) IB: from 37 points with 666 at HL to 34 points with 655 at HL
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 19%: 95 offers from 513 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 43 final-year students who answered
- Teaching on my course: 86%
- Learning opportunities: 64%
- Assessment and feedback: 59%
- Academic support: 85%
- Organisation and management: 68%
- Learning resources: 81%
- Student voice: 66%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 70 students who started
- Continued on course: 96%
- Left higher education: 1%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 3%
What graduates do next
Based on about 14 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 20%
- Further study: 10%
Most common jobs
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 20%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Teaching Professionals: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 75%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 35%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 145 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 1%
- East of England: 2%
- London: 46%
- South East: 4%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 37%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 95 students who started
- A levels: 57%
- Baccalaureate: 12%
- Access course: 4%
- Other HE qualification: 6%
- No formal qualifications: 21%
Modules
- Politics and International Relations 1A: Concepts and Debates
- Politics and International Relations 1B: The Global Dimension
- Political Thinkers, an introductory political theory course
- Theories of International Relations
- Introduction to Political Data Analysis
- international political economy
- global security
- human rights
- gender
- African politics
- the Middle East
- the Asia Pacific
- foreign policy analysis
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA International Relations at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £29,000 after 3 years, £37,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £29,000 and £52,000. The £37,500 median after five years is £3,500 more than the UK median for Politics.
What do graduates of MA International Relations at University of Edinburgh do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA International Relations at University of Edinburgh?
86% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA International Relations at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is AAA at A level, or 37 points in the IB. The average entrant had 179 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA International Relations at University of Edinburgh?
19% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 95 offers from 513 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA International Relations at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MA International Relations at University of Edinburgh?
96% of students continued into their second year, and 1% left higher education.