How is the MA International Studies different from MA International Relations?

Overlapping fields. The MA International Studies takes a broader interdisciplinary frame — politics, economics, area studies, international law — while pure IR concentrates on the theoretical core. Choose International Studies if you want policy and area depth alongside IR theory; choose IR for tighter theoretical specialism.

Does the MA International Studies include a language requirement?

Not formally, but a second language is strongly encouraged for area-studies specialism. Students can take an LSJHML language module alongside the master's or arrange parallel study with a partner language programme.

Can the MA International Studies be studied online or part-time?

Yes. The MA International Studies can be taken over 24 months part-time or fully online. Online students join the same seminars by video, complete the same research project, and write the same dissertation under remote supervision.

Is the MA International Studies useful for the UK Civil Service Fast Stream?

Yes. The MA International Studies maps directly to the Diplomatic Service and Generalist Fast Stream tracks of the UK Civil Service. Several recent graduates have progressed into FCDO and equivalent international graduate roles.

What dissertation topics work well for the MA International Studies?

Past examples include a comparative study of EU-UK regulatory divergence, an analysis of a specific UN Security Council reform debate and a critical reading of a single multilateral institution's mandate evolution. The MA International Studies rewards a tightly scoped, theoretically grounded question.

MA International Studies in London | LSJHML | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The MA International Studies at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a one-year UK postgraduate degree for graduates and working professionals committed to senior international affairs roles — in policy, research, diplomacy and adjacent fields. You will work through advanced international relations theory, comparative politics and global political economy, and produce a 12,000-to-15,000 word dissertation on an international question of your choice.

The MA International Studies is built around the assumption that the international order is contested, complex and worth taking seriously on its own terms. Cohorts include working diplomats, NGO analysts, journalists and academics; reading lists are demanding; seminar discussion is central.

Key Features

UK-recognised master's degree aligned with Political Studies Association and BISA frameworks for advanced international studies scholarship.
Advanced IR theory core — realism, liberalism, constructivism, current critical and decolonial scholarship.
Comparative politics module across major regions and contemporary regime types.
Global political economy strand — trade, finance, climate, the post-Bretton Woods architecture.
Research methods at master's level — qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods, case study design.
12,000–15,000 word dissertation on an international topic supervised one-to-one.

What You Will Learn

The MA International Studies is structured around the working competencies of a senior international analyst — advanced theoretical literacy, comparative method, research design and clear policy-relevant writing. You leave able to assess a global political event with current scholarly frameworks, design a substantial research project, and write up findings for academic and policy audiences alike.

Advanced IR theory — realism, liberalism, constructivism, critical, decolonial, feminist approaches.
Comparative politics — democratisation, authoritarianism, party and electoral systems.
Global political economy — trade, finance, development, climate, current institutional architecture.
Regional area studies — major regions with comparative analytical lenses.
Multilateral institutions — UN system, WTO, IMF, World Bank, regional bodies.
Diplomatic practice at advanced level — negotiation, drafting, briefing under pressure.
International law and human rights — treaty bodies, humanitarian law, jurisdiction.
Research methods — qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods, archival sources, ethics.

Who This MA Is For

Working diplomats, civil servants and policy professionals moving into senior international roles.
Graduates in international studies, IR, politics or related fields progressing to master's level.
NGO analysts, journalists and think-tank researchers wanting research-grade upgrading.
Career-changers planning roles in international policy, multilateral institutions or international NGOs.

Career Pathways

MA International Studies graduates move into senior policy, research and analyst roles across UK and international public, private and third sectors. Typical post-MA destinations include:

Political Analyst (consultancy, in-house, think tank)
Policy Researcher (NGO, charity, multilateral organisation)
International Relations Officer (UK Civil Service, FCDO)
Think Tank Researcher (foreign-policy or area-studies institute)
Diplomat (UK or international diplomatic services, post-experience)
International Programme Officer (development NGO, cultural body)

The MA also serves as a launchpad for doctoral research or for senior in-house international roles.

Entry Requirements

A UK 2:2 honours degree (or international equivalent) in a related subject, OR a 2:2 in any subject with two years of relevant professional experience.
IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for non-native English speakers.
Personal statement (max 1 page) outlining your motivation, relevant experience and intended specialism.
Two academic or professional references.
Applicants without a related undergraduate degree may be considered with significant industry experience and a written sample.

Why Study at LSJHML

The London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages is a specialist higher-education provider based in central London. Our programmes are designed in dialogue with working professionals — journalists, translators, civil servants, academics, broadcasters, editors, publishers and policy researchers — so what you learn in seminar on Monday is what your future employer is using on Tuesday. We deliberately keep cohorts small, give every student named tutor support, and treat employability as a structural part of every programme rather than an optional add-on.

London is the work — politics, courts, capital markets, theatre, broadcasting, publishing, public service, the global press. Your studies are taught in the same square mile where the stories you read about happen. Whether you join us on-campus, online or by distance learning, the city is your classroom and our industry network is your launchpad.