Program Overview
The International Relations and European Politics at The University of Edinburgh is a MSc programme in Social Sciences over 12 months, delivered On-campus. This programme equips graduates with advanced knowledge and practical skills for professional and academic careers in the field.
Students gain a rigorous grounding in both the theoretical foundations and applied dimensions of social sciences. The programme combines coursework, research components, and practical projects that develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and specialist expertise relevant to industry and research needs.
Graduates of the International Relations and European Politics programme are well-prepared for careers in academia, industry, government, and the private sector across United Kingdom and internationally. The programme provides an internationally recognised qualification within the Bologna higher education framework.
Key Program Features
- Duration: 12 months
- Language of instruction: English
- Study mode: On-campus
- English requirement: IELTS 7
- Tuition: GBP 15,850 (Tuition (Year)) — International students; GBP 15,850 (Tuition (Year)) — EU/EEA students
- Location: Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the International Relations and European Politics programme are prepared for diverse careers in social sciences:
- Policy Analyst
- NGO Programme Manager
- Researcher
- Social Worker
- Diplomat
- Development Consultant
Program Curriculum
Courses
For this programme, you will complete:
- one core 40-credit course - International and European Politics: Theory and Practice
- four option courses
- a dissertation
Dissertation
The dissertation is an extended piece of written scholarship, based on your independent research. You will choose a dissertation topic in coordination with your supervisor.
Examples of dissertation topics in previous years include:
- Transatlantic Security
- EU Relationship with Russia (including in the context of the Ukraine War)
- EU-US Energy Cooperation
- Comparative Studies of EU Member States
- European Culture and Identity
- European Defence Policy
- European Citizenship
- The EU as a Norm Entrepreneur in Humanitarian Matters
- EU Enlargement
- Brexit
You will complete either a standard research dissertation or a placement-based dissertation.
Placement-based dissertation
The placement-based dissertation option aims to offer you the opportunity to work on your dissertation within the context of a workplace of your choosing, subject to Programme Director and Placement Adviser approval.
The placement will generally consist of eight weeks of research with a host organisation in the UK or overseas, from our network of contacts which includes:
- NGOs and charities
- social enterprises
- think-tanks
- government bodies
Your placement can be completed either in-person, remotely, or in a hybrid format. You will have the option to arrange your own placement, subject to university approval.
Please note that a placement-based dissertation is not guaranteed as part of this programme and will be assigned based on competitive applications.
Find courses for this programme
Find out what courses you can study on this programme and how each of them are taught and assessed.
The courses on offer may change from year to year, but the course information will give you an idea of what to expect on this programme.
Full-time
We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.
Field trips
Our study trip to Brussels
All students have a guaranteed place on the part-subsidised annual study trip to Brussels. The trip is optional.
It includes visits to EU institutions, NATO, political consultancies and a career-focused networking event supported by the Edinburgh University Brussels Society - a network of over 1.5k programme alumni with Brussels-based careers.
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
You need the following GPA score:
Applicants for graduate programs must have the equivalent of a bachelor\xe2\x80\x99s degree with a minimum GPA equivalent to Upper Second Class on the UK Honour scale. Admitted applicants typically have an undergraduate GPA of or better on the UK Honour scale. No exam grade should be lower than 4.5 (European grade scale) or D (American grade scale).
Your GPA (Grade Point Average) is calculated using the grades that you received in each course, and is determined by the points assigned to each grade (e.g. for the US grading scale from A-F).
Admission Requirements:
A UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent.
English language requirements
All applicants must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of their English language ability:
- an undergraduate or masters degree, that was taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country as defined by UK Visas and Immigration
- IELTS: total 7.0 (at least 6.0 in each module)
- TOEFL-iBT: total 100 (at least 20 in each module)
- PTE(A): total 67 (at least 56 in each of the "Communicative Skills" sections)
- CAE and CPE: total 185 (at least 169 in each module)
- Trinity ISE: ISE III with a pass in all four components
English Proficiency: IELTS 7 or equivalent.
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
GBP 15,850 (Tuition (Year)) — International students; GBP 15,850 (Tuition (Year)) — EU/EEA students
Tuition fees: GBP 15,850 (Tuition (Year)) — International students; GBP 15,850 (Tuition (Year)) — EU/EEA students
IELTS requirement: 7
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Contact The University of Edinburgh directly for scholarship, grant, and financial aid information for this programme. Many European universities offer merit-based and need-based funding for international and domestic students.
About The University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
University of Edinburgh (Universitas Academica Edinburgensis) is a historic and globally respected public research university in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, founded in 1583, making it one of the...
University Profile- Application Deadline 14 September 2026
- Start Date 2017-09-15
- Language English
- Duration 12 months
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