BSc International Relations (study online)
Understand the forces shaping global politics and the changing international order. The online BSc International Relations degree explores power, conflict, cooperation and global institutions through LSE’s distinctive social science perspective.
Develop a critical understanding of international relations theory, political thought, foreign policy and the global political economy, while building the analytical skills to evaluate complex global issues and competing perspectives.
Key information
- Qualification: Undergraduate Degree (BSc)
- Duration: 2 - 6 years (Graduate Entry) | 3 - 6 years (Standard Entry)
- Type of study: Online
- Intakes: February, May, August & November
- Awarding body: University of London
- Academic direction: The London School of Economics and Political Science
Why choose LSE Global Programmes?
- Access a world-class education – wherever you are
Ranked #1 in the UK (Complete University Guide 2027) and #5 globally for social sciences and management (QS World University Rankings 2026), LSE is a world-leading university, specialising in social sciences. - Study online on your terms
Complete your undergraduate degree flexibly over 2 to 6 years, allowing you to balance your learning with work and other personal commitments, all without the added expense of relocating. - Earn a globally respected qualification
Your degree is awarded by the University of London (UoL), recognised internationally by employers and graduate schools. Many graduates progress to master’s study at LSE and other leading institutions. - Gain skills for real-world impact
Build analytical thinking, global perspectives, and problem-solving skills to tackle complex challenges across sectors and borders. Join a global alumni community driving change worldwide.
Start your journey with LSE Global Programmes – wherever you are
Interested in learning more or starting an application? Complete the form below and a member of the team will provide further information about studying this course online.
Why study International Relations?
International Relations helps you understand how states, international organisations and other actors interact, and how power, institutions and ideas shape events around the world. This degree combines theory with the study of contemporary global issues, helping you examine international politics from different perspectives.
- Understand global politics
Explore international order, political thought, institutions, foreign policy and the global political economy. - Examine major international challenges
Develop the tools to analyse conflict, cooperation, shifts in global power and other contemporary political issues. - Think critically about competing perspectives
Learn to evaluate theories, arguments and evidence and develop balanced, well-reasoned conclusions.
Academic direction from LSE
LSE Global Programmes are all UoL qualifications. LSE is a federation member of UoL and provides academic direction for the Global Programmes portfolio. This means that LSE is responsible for:
- Planning the structure and content of each programme
- Developing and writing the study materials
- Setting assessments and marking
- Determining the academic regulations
Your final degree will be from UoL and will identify LSE as having developed the syllabus and curriculum and provided assessment.
Meet the Programme Director
Professor Ulrich Sedelmeier is a Professor in International Relations at LSE and Programme Director for International Relations. His research focuses on international institutions, the European Union and the domestic impact of international rules and institutions.
He has held fellowships and visiting professorships at institutions including the European University Institute and the University of Copenhagen, and holds an MA and PhD from the University of Sussex.
Programme structure
The BSc International Relations degree is available through the Standard or Graduate Entry route.
| Route | Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Entry route | 12 full courses | 360 credits |
| Graduate Entry route | 9 full courses | 270 credits |
Students are advised to study around three full courses, or 90 credits, per academic year. The maximum registration period is six years, although students are encouraged to complete the programme within three to four years.
Students aiming to finish in three years should plan to take four full courses or equivalent each year.
The curriculum combines international relations theory, political thought, international history and political economy, developing the analytical skills needed to understand global politics, institutions, foreign policy and changes in the international order.
The table below shows a suggested sample course sequence for students taking the programme through the Standard Entry Route over three years.
| Year One | Year Two | Year Three |
|---|---|---|
| IR1198 International Relations: Theories, Concepts and Debates | IR3210 International Political Economy | IR3140 Security in International Relations |
| PS1130 Introduction to International Political Thought | IR2209 International Political Theory | IR3207 Power Shift in International Relations: The Decline of the West and the Future of International Order |
| PS1172 Introduction to Political Science | IR2213 International Organisations | Open choice (200 or 300 level) |
| IR1200 International History Since 1945 | IR2214 Foreign Policy Analysis | Open choice* |
For more detailed information about individual courses, including course content and assessment, please visit the Course Information Sheets.
* Open choice: Choose one 100-, 200- or 300-level course, or two half courses, from the Programme Specification, or two LSE Summer School courses.
You will study through a combination of flexible online learning, live interactive classes and academic support.
- Your digital campus
Access study materials, reading lists and peer discussion areas through the Virtual Learning Environment, as well as e-books and journal articles through the Online Library. - Live interactive classes
Join live online sessions to collaborate with class teachers and peers, evaluate ideas and solve problems together. - Comprehensive support
Receive academic guidance from class teachers, progression advice from a Student Success Advisor and tailored employability support through the Careers Service.
Programme specification
View the BSc International Relations Programme Specification for full details on programme structure, learning outcomes, assessment and regulations.
Course outcomes
By the end of the BSc International Relations degree, you will have developed analytical and critical-thinking skills for understanding international politics and evaluating complex global issues.
You will be able to:
- understand major theories and debates in International Relations
- analyse international order, institutions, foreign policy and political economy
- examine contemporary and historical international issues
- critically analyse arguments and competing perspectives
- evaluate information and evidence from multiple sources
- develop clear, reasoned and analytical arguments
- communicate complex ideas effectively in writing
Entry requirements
For access to the BSc International Relations degree, you will usually meet the following criteria:
- Age 17+ by 30 November in the year of registration.
- Satisfy our General entrance requirements (see below).
- Demonstrate competence in mathematics at least equivalent to UK GCSE/GCE O-level at Grade C or equivalent.
We accept qualifications from around the world. To check your country equivalent, please contact our enrolment advisors.
If you do not already hold the relevant mathematics qualification, you may wish to consider completing LSE Maths Essentials. A mark of 40 per cent or above will fulfil the mathematics requirement for this programme.
If you already hold qualifications with similar learning outcomes to our degree modules, you can apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
Your entry requirements may vary depending on your age and previous qualifications:
- Age 20 or younger: you will usually need qualifications equivalent to three UK GCE A-levels at grades EED or above, or one year of university-level study.
- Age 21–26: you may qualify through Reduced/Mature Entry with one UK GCE A-level at Grade C or above, or an acceptable equivalent. Relevant work experience may also be considered.
- Age 27 or older: you may qualify through Reduced/Mature Entry with one UK GCE A-level at Grade E or above, or an acceptable equivalent. Relevant work experience may also be considered.
We accept qualifications from around the world. To check your country equivalent, please contact our enrolment advisors.
You need to demonstrate a good level of English to be admitted to our programmes. We accept a range of evidence, including proficiency test scores. If you don’t have evidence but believe you can meet the standard, we may consider your case. View English language requirements.
You may apply for Graduate Entry if you hold an acceptable undergraduate or postgraduate award. The awarding programme must be full time, at least one year in duration and considered at least comparable in level to a UK undergraduate degree. We will consider other undergraduate, postgraduate, professional membership and professional qualifications on an individual basis. You must also satisfy English language and mathematics requirements for your chosen degree.
We set minimum basic computer requirements because your study resources are accessed via the Student Portal and it is vital that you can access this regularly. For this degree, you will also need to be able to view video material and a media player (such as VLC) to play video files.
Tuition fees
The following fees apply to the August 2026, November 2026, February 2027 and May 2027 registration windows.
| UK residents* | Non-UK residents | |
|---|---|---|
| Half module/course fee (10 weeks) | £740 | £1,100 |
| Full module/course fee (20 weeks) | £1,470 | £2,190 |
| Indicative total programme fee | £17,640 | £26,280 |
The indicative total programme fee is based on completing 12 full modules/courses in the minimum study period without resits. Fees may be subject to an annual increase of up to 5%.
*UK residents include those eligible for UK Tuition Fee Loans from Student Finance England on the same basis as UK nationals.
How to apply
Applications to our online degree programmes are made online, through the University of London's application portal. Applications are specific per programme, and separated into standard and graduate entry.
View application linksYou can view the application deadlines for upcoming intakes in the table below.
| Intake | Application deadline |
|---|---|
| 9 November 2026 | 2 October 2026 |
| 1 February 2027 | 1 January 2027 |
| 24 May 2027 | 23 April 2027 |
If you have any questions about the application process, you can contact our team via email at online.degrees@lse.ac.uk.
Careers
The BSc International Relations degree develops analytical, research and communication skills that can be applied across public, international and private-sector organisations. Graduates may go on to careers and further study in areas including:
- Government and Public Affairs
- Diplomacy
- Policy
- International Development
- NGOs and Non-Profits
Dedicated career support
- Careers service: Access tailored employability support, online resources, expert-led webinars and employer networking events whether you are starting, developing or changing your career.
- Global alumni network: Automatically join a lifelong community of over one million UoL graduates across 180+ countries.