Earn your Masters in International Relations online, flexibly.

Join us online to develop a deep, critical understanding of contemporary global challenges, power structures, and the evolving nature of international politics.

With guidance from expert academics and active researchers, you’ll learn to:

  • apply theories to better understand international politics
  • critically examine concrete and timely international issues
  • discuss policy and provide advice for consultancy in international organisations
  • contribute to research in global affairs.

In this flexible online Masters degree, you’ll develop the advanced analytical and research skills you need to assess complex international developments and formulate evidence-based arguments.

You’ll graduate with enhanced expertise in key global issues, including security, global governance, political economy, and human rights.

Tailored to you

This is a degree that you can tailor to you. You’ll have opportunities to focus your studies and dissertation research on your interests, current work, professional experience, and future career goals.

Who can join this online International Relations degree?

If you’re a graduate or professional seeking a successful career in international organisations, NGOs, government, policy analysis, or academia, this degree is designed for you.

You can also study this degree on-campus.

Choose the University of Aberdeen for online MSc International Relations

Top 8

8th in the UK for International Relations

We’re ranked 8th in the UK for International Relations by the Guardian University Guide 2025.

Earn a respected Masters degree

You’ll earn the same globally recognised Masters degree online as you would on campus.

Fits around full-time work

This degree fits around full-time work, with flexible hours and 24/7 study access.

What you’ll study

You can choose to study for a:

  • Masters (180 credits)
  • Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits), or
  • Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits).

How you’ll study

Online learning

This distance-learning MSc in International Relations is delivered flexibly, 100% online.

You can learn with us anywhere in the world, no student visa required, and manage your study hours to suit you.

Your teaching

Teaching is delivered through MyAberdeen, our online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It holds all the materials, tools and support you’ll need in your studies. Take a look around MyAberdeen.

You can access your learning materials on computer, smartphone and laptop, 24 hours a day. You’ll find a range of online resources available, including:

  • videos
  • pre-recorded video lectures
  • live online sessions
  • reading materials
  • quizzes
  • discussion boards with your tutors and peers
  • the online resources of our award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library.

Live online sessions

Live online sessions will be arranged for each course where you can ask your tutor questions and discuss the course material. Depending on the class size, this could be one-to-one or a group session.

Your tutors

This MSc is delivered by the School of Social Science.

You’ll learn from an internationally experienced team of academics who are involved in active research in this area.

This degree is assessed online.

We’ll use several types of online assessment throughout your studies, including:

  • short essays (500 words)
  • online quizzes
  • interactive blog/discussion boards, and
  • your dissertation.

There are no in-person exams.

Hours for taught courses

Part-time

To study part-time, we recommend you take a maximum of one 30-credit course per term.

30 credits

  • Around 300 hours of study and assessment time to complete.
  • You’ll study 15 – 20 hours per week per term, plus more at assessment times.

Full-time

You can also study this degree full-time, taking 60 credits per term.

  • Around 600 hours of study and assessment time to complete.
  • You’ll study 40 hours per week per term, plus more at assessment times.

This is a guide to the time required for a typical student at this level to achieve the learning outcomes. This includes time for independent study, as well as teaching and assessments.

You can largely set your own study hours each week to cover the materials. MyAberdeen is available 24/7, so you can log in and study when it suits you.

Activities at fixed times

There may be some activities scheduled at fixed times, such as online meetings with your tutor or assessments with deadlines. But otherwise, you can access and work through each course at your convenience.

Hours for 60-credit dissertation

  • Around 600 hours of study time.
  • This is around one term of full-time study.

You can dedicate a full term to your dissertation project and work on it full-time. Or you can complete it part-time, spreading the hours over two or more terms.

Our first-class support structure will ensure that you aren’t alone in your studies.

You’ll have contact with your coordinator via email, MyAberdeen, Microsoft Teams, or phone. You can use social media and discussion boards to chat with your fellow students too.

We provide a wide range of services to support you in your studies and beyond:

Wherever you are in the world, you’ll feel part of our very special Aberdeen learning community.

When you study with us, you can expect a first-class support structure so that you’re never alone in your studies.

But learning online does mean you have to motivate yourself and manage your own time.

Your most important commitment will be time – the time to work through, reflect on and understand your teaching materials.

Before you start a course that involves a high degree of independent study, we recommend looking at the time you will be able to devote to your studies each week:

  • Be realistic
  • Create a weekly schedule as a guide

If you have any questions about studying online, get in touch with our friendly team. We’re here to help.

We’re a member of the Access scheme run by the Society of College, National and University Libraries (SCONUL).

Access study spaces, books and journals in your area

The SCONUL Access scheme allows you, as a University of Aberdeen student, to access books and resources at university libraries across the UK and Ireland, or visit them for a quiet place to study.

You’ll be able to use study spaces, books and journals at over 150 university libraries which belong to the scheme.

Find out about the SCONUL Access scheme for libraries.

Your support team

Our friendly team are here to answer any queries you have before, during and after your studies.

Dr Philippe Beauregard

Dr Philippe Beauregard

Philippe is the degree coordinator. They’ll be on hand to answer any questions about degree content before you start and to help you throughout your studies.

Kerry Boyne

Kerry is part of the School’s support team. They’ll be there throughout your studies to answer any of your non-academic queries.

Get in touch

The online education team is here to answer any questions you have right now about this qualification, or about studying online.

Ask us a question

Where this will take you

Your MSc in International Relations

You’ll graduate with a respected MSc in International Relations from the University of Aberdeen, one of the UK’s six ancient universities.

You’ll receive exactly the same MSc qualification online as you would on campus. Your degree title will not mention online or distance learning.

Global reach

Your MSc qualification will be recognised by employers and educational institutions around the world, opening up international opportunities for your career and further study.

What can you do with a Masters in International Relations?

An MSc in International Relations can give you a competitive edge in a job market where there is increasing demand for postgraduate qualifications.

This MSc is designed to help you access and progress within a range of careers in this area.

You can also use this qualification as an important step in making a career change into international relations from other subject areas or professions.

Careers that MSc International Relations will prepare you for

The scope of international relations is vast, exploring differences between countries in terms of finance, welfare, education, legal systems, security, the environment, and more.

As a result, an MSc in International Relations can lead you to a variety of roles in areas including foreign affairs, defence, development, and human rights.

This MSc will enhance your ability to think critically about power structures and global inequalities, preparing you for roles in:

  • policy analysis
  • policy-making
  • consultancy
  • diplomacy
  • public sector research
  • international advocacy, and more.

Popular graduate pathways

Many graduates choose to do public advocacy, research, and project management work for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and regional and global institutions, such as the European Union or the United Nations.

Graduates also move into careers in the international media, the armed forces, international risk management, and international corporations involved in trade and finance.

Take your studies further

This MSc will also prepare you to pursue further academic study, including PhD programmes in international relations, political science, global studies, or related fields.

You’ll graduate with a strong foundation in research methods and theoretical analysis that will give you a competitive edge for doctoral research opportunities at leading universities.

You could also go on to specialise further through postgraduate certificates or diplomas in areas including international law, security studies, or diplomacy.

Lifelong career support

Our career support doesn’t stop when you graduate.

You have access to our free careers service while you study, and beyond.

  • 1:1 appointments
  • CV checks
  • Interview prep
  • Job opportunities

Fees and funding

The fees quoted above are based on you starting your studies with us in the 2025/26 academic year.

Our indicative costs include a 5% fee rise each year.

Pay as you go

This is a pay-as-you-go qualification.

You do not have to pay the full tuition fee upfront.

You can spread the cost and pay as you go, term by term.

How it works

  • You decide how many credits to study for each term.
  • At the start of term, you pay only for the credits you’re taking that term.
  • This gives you control over your costs and workload for each term of your qualification.

Your personalised cost breakdown

Use the degree scheduler to plan your studies and see your cost breakdown, term by term.

Learning resources

Access to all the books and resources you need are included in your tuition fee. They’ll be made available to you online and you do not have to buy your own copies.

Printing

You may wish to set aside a small budget for printing, depending on how you like to work.

There are several ways you may be able to get help funding your studies:

Find out more about funding options.

Student card

All our students are entitled to a University of Aberdeen student card. This gives you access to a range of student discounts around the city and online.

20% Alumni discount

You’re entitled to 20% off our postgraduate taught degrees and short courses if you have a degree from the University of Aberdeen. View Alumni discount details.

How discounts work

Discounts are applied during your application process. You can only use one discount per application.

Choose the University of Aberdeen for flexible online qualifications

Over 525 years of excellence

Study with the fifth-oldest university in the English-speaking world, founded in 1495.

Learn anywhere

On smartphone, desktop and laptop, with no need for a student visa.

20% alumni discount

University of Aberdeen graduates enjoy 20% off postgraduate online short courses and degrees.

Entry requirements

MSc, PgDip, PgCert

Minimum entry requirements are:

  • a 2:1 UK honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject.

We also welcome applicants with alternative qualifications or relevant professional experience.

Also taken into careful consideration is the trajectory of results – for example, an applicant without an overall 2.1 but with 2.1 results in their final two years of study may be admitted.

Entry requirements

We welcome students from all over the world.

See the minimum entry requirements above. If you do not have qualifications from the UK, check equivalent qualifications from your country.

Visa requirements

You do not need a student visa to study online with us.

English language requirements

Teaching is delivered in English.

If English is not your first language, use our English requirements checklist to see if you need to provide evidence of your English language skills when you apply.

English language tests and scores

If you do need to provide English language test scores, these are the tests and minimum scores we accept.

These are our Postgraduate Higher requirements.

IELTS Academic, IELTS UKVI Academic, or IELTS Online (not IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training)

  • 6.5 overall
  • 5.5 for listening and speaking
  • 6.0 for reading and writing

TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition

  • 90 overall
  • 17 for listening
  • 21 for reading
  • 20 for speaking
  • 21 for writing
  • TOEFL DI code is 0818

Cambridge English: B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency

  • 176 overall
  • 162 for listening and speaking
  • 169 for reading and writing

LanguageCert Academic / LanguageCert Academic SELT

  • 70 overall
  • 60 for listening and speaking
  • 65 for reading and writing

Oxford ELLT Digital – English Language Level Test Online

  • 7.0 overall
  • 5.0 for listening and speaking
  • 6.0 for reading and writing

PTE Academic (online test not accepted)

  • 62 overall
  • 59 for listening, reading, speaking and writing

Skills for English: SELT

  • B2 pass with merit

Duolingo tests taken from 1 July 2024 onward

  • 120 overall
  • 95 for listening and speaking
  • 105 for reading and writing

University of Aberdeen English Pre-sessional Programme (PSE)

  • Pass
  • Valid for one year. Refresher can be offered if out of date

Pre-sessional academic English preparation programmes undertaken at other UK universities

  • Pass at an equivalent of 6.5 (C1)
  • B2 in all four skills
  • Certification must be within one year prior to the start of your course

For more information about language qualifications see our English Language Requirements page.

You can apply to start in either September or January.

Apply as early as you can. This is so we have time to review your application and get a decision to you. We also want to ensure you have time to enrol before teaching starts.

September 2025 intake

For our September 2025 intake, the application deadline is 8 September 2025.

You will need to accept your offer and provide any outstanding documents to meet the conditions of your offer by 15 September 2025.

Teaching starts on 22 September 2025.

January 2026 intake

Teaching starts on 26 January 2026.

Application deadlines will be announced in due course.

You apply through our online Applicant Portal. It allows you to upload relevant qualifications and documents.

There is no application fee for our online degrees.

What you need to apply for this degree

  • Degree transcript
  • Personal statement
  • Degree certificate
  • References x2
  • CV / Resume – this is only required if you hold a degree qualification lower than a 2:1

References

You will need two reference letters. One should be from your university discussing your academic ability. If you have been out of education for a long time, you can use your current or most recent employers or other professional individuals.

Apply now

Start with our step-by-step guide. It explains degree transcripts, what to write in your personal statement and how to use our Applicant Portal.

You will need access to:

A computer (PC, laptop or Mac) operating on either:

  • Windows 10 or later
  • macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or later.

Most teaching materials are smartphone- and tablet-friendly. But we recommend a proper laptop or desktop for completing assignments comfortably.

Reliable internet access

We recommend:

  • a wired connection
  • a minimum download speed of 2 Mbps so you can take part fully in live sessions.

Speakers or headphones

  • We recommend a headset with built-in microphone and earphones if you’re likely to study in an environment with background noise.
  • A webcam is optional, but you may like to use one for some interactive sessions.

Software

We’ll give you access to Office365 applications. This means you can use online versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and install these programs on up to five personal devices.

If your course requires specialist software, we’ll provide you with access to this and a licence that lasts throughout your studies.

See our detailed IT requirements for more information.

Try our degree scheduler

Choose your courses

Choose your courses

See all the courses that are part of this degree and choose what you want to study.

Manage your study schedule

Manage your study schedule

Control the pace and cost of your degree. Decide how much you want to study each term.

Save to your wishlist

Save to your wishlist

Save your schedule to your wishlist so you can view and edit anytime.

Customise your degree

Master of Science

180 credits

£8,380

This indicative cost is based on 180 credits of study over two years, starting in September 2025.

Postgraduate Diploma

120 credits

£5,540

This indicative cost is based on 120 credits of study over two years, starting in September 2025.

Postgraduate Certificate

60 credits

£2,700

This indicative cost is based on 30 credits of study per term, starting in September 2025.

Apply for this programme

Start month
September or January
INDICATIVE COST
£8,380

This indicative cost is based on 180 credits of study over two years, starting in September 2025.

Apply via our Applicant Portal
Added to your wishlist