BSc International Relations

Why do states go to war? Why do nations sometimes co-operate and obey international law? What is the role of institutions like the UN and the EU?

International relations are becoming ever more complex due to geopolitics, migration, war and other diverse factors. This programme analyses the functioning, history and theory behind the international system and the changing relationships between nations. You’ll look at the character of different states, examining the implications of the uneven distribution of power, money, welfare and knowledge on foreign policies and international order.

At LSE, you’ll be studying in an international university, located in an international city – close to the UK House of Commons and Parliament. You’ll learn with students from many nationalities, bringing a range of perspectives. When you graduate, you’ll have all the skills needed to embark on a career in politics, finance or the third sector.

There’s an opportunity to add a language specialism to your degree certificate and transcript – see the programme structure and courses section for details.

If you wish to gain further insight into the subject we suggest that you look at one or more of the following books:

• C Alden and A Aron Foreign Policy Analysis: new approaches (Routledge, 2011)
• J Baylis, S Smith and P Owens (eds) The Globalization of World Politics: an introduction to international relations (7th edition, Oxford University Press, 2016)
• C Brown, with K Ainley Understanding International Relations (Macmillan, 2009)
• B Buzan and G Lawson The Global Transformation (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2015)
• B Buzan and R Little International Systems in World History: remaking the study of international relations (Oxford University Press, 2000)
• R Shilliam International Relations and Non-Western Thought: imperialism, colonialism and investigations of global modernity (Routledge, 2010)
• J Steans Gender & International Relations (Polity Press, 2013)
• T G Weiss and R Wilkinson (eds) International Organization and Global Governance (Routledge, 2014)

You’ll take two compulsory International Relations courses. Then, you’ll choose between two history courses and an outside option from another department. Additionally, you’ll take LSE100 and Thinking Globally: Studying International Relations (a non-assessed course).

You’ll choose three international relations options from a choice of five. Additionally, you can take options from language courses and from outside the department (totalling one unit).

Your final year involves options from international relations (totalling three units). You will then take further courses from a range of international relations or language options (totalling one unit).

The Department of International Relations is one of the largest of its kind in the world, home to 500 students, from 30 countries.

Founded in 1927, our department is a leading centre for teaching and research in international relations – ranked second in the UK and fifth globally in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.

Many leading thinkers in the field – including Martin Wight, Hedley Bull and John Vincent – have taught in the department and pioneered new developments and thinking in the field. The department also helped found the student-run Millennium: Journal of International Studies – one of the most prestigious international relations journals.

We have around 225 undergraduates, 220 postgraduates and 30 postgraduate research students on our programmes. Our aim is to provide a wide range of study options, covering diverse themes such as major theoretical perspectives on international relations, the study of conflict and conflict management, the work of international institutions and the major regions of the world, from Europe to the Middle East.

We’re proud of the broad international profile of our department – with students and staff from Europe, North America and further afield. As a department we’ve played a pivotal role in training diplomats and academics and we’re proud of their success in various fields.

Learn more about our programmes and research.

Department of International Relations

Visit the website for the Department of International Relations at LSE

We’re looking for students who can demonstrate:

• a genuine interest in international society, its institutions, governance, rules and relationships
• views and opinions on current and public affairs
• a willingness to read extensively
• intellectual curiosity
• an ability to evaluate and challenge conventional views
• great communication skills
• creativity and flexibility
• initiative and the capacity to work independently
• attention to detail
• self-motivation and a willingness to work hard.

The degree programme does not prepare you for a specific career. It develops a range of intellectual and practical skills that are relevant across a wide range of career opportunities. Our graduates have found work with a wide range of employers including multilateral and intergovernmental organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), banking and accounting services, local and national governments, educational establishments, and media and publishing companies. Others have opted to continue studying international relations, or have transferred the skills they developed at LSE to other disciplines, such as law.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme