Meet the deps 1400x700

Our departments and programmes

The Department of International Relations

The International Relations Department is like a family. I have made enough friends for multiple lifetimes, met professors that have challenged me to be better than my best and who have been thoroughly engaging in their teaching of current affairs. This truly is a vibrant and diverse student environment.

Maitrai Lapalikar, BSc International Relations

Welcome to the Department of International Relations. Here you can virtually meet our students and staff and find out more about the Department and our programme. Take your time to browse through the information and follow the links to our Department webpages to really get to know us.

An introduction to International Relations at LSE An introduction to International Relations at LSE
Watch this video for an introduction to studying international relations at LSE

Visit the Department webpages

Watch our Undergraduate Open Day videos 

Watch our International Relations Open Day video to find out more about the programme, teaching and assessment methods and life in the Department. 

An introduction to studying international relations at LSE An introduction to studying international relations at LSE
An introduction to studying international relations at LSE

Top three reasons why you should study international relations at LSE

  1. LSE's Department of International Relations is one of the oldest and largest international relations departments in the world.
  2. We offer a wide and diverse range of theoretical and empirical research and teaching.
  3. We provide an exciting and broad range of extra-curricular activities to enhance and support students’ exposure to a variety of international relations focused experiences.

For even more reasons we encourage you to watch the following video where Dr George Lawson answers the following questions: What is international relations? How does the BSc IR programme differ from others in the Department and the School? What specific subjects are covered in the core course and options? What kinds of backgrounds do students on the programme have? What kind of jobs do they get?

An introduction to BSc International Relations An introduction to BSc International Relations
Dr George Lawson explains what you can expect from studying BSc International Relations

You can find out more about us as a Department on our webpages.

Our programme: BSc International Relations

Students studying BSc International Relations will be able to select from a wide range of options broadly focused on four key areas: international security and statecraft, international law and organisations, international political economy and international relations theory. The programme will involve an examination of the different characters and circumstances of states and the implications of the uneven distribution of resources on the international system and international order. Students can select from a wide variety of optional courses, including those focused on conflict and peacebuilding, visual international politics and nuclear weapons.

Visit the Department's FAQ page for additional information.

Alongside your academic studies you may also wish to apply for our Undergraduate Futures Research Internship Scheme or the LSE Internship Fund. These provide our undergraduate students with the exciting opportunity to enhance their studies and time at LSE.

For detailed information regarding entry requirements, programme content, preliminary reading, language specialisms and accreditation please visit our BSc International Relations programme page.

Our research and events

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