MSc International Strategy and Diplomacy

You'll acquire the analytical tools to understand a changing world and the policy expertise to operate within it.

The programme examines the changing landscape of international relations, with a focus on the emergence of new strategic actors, economic trends, security challenges, and global flashpoints.

In sharply-focused seminars, you'll challenge conventional wisdom on these topics. Workshops and simulations on crisis management, policy assessment and diplomatic negotiations will provide you with the practical skills to operate in a fast-moving world.

You'll learn how to deal with emerging threats and risks by operating strategically, and how to solve problems by negotiating with stakeholders as well as adversaries.

You'll be studying with a combination of LSE academics and senior policy practitioners sharing their experience at the highest levels of diplomacy and business.

The one year programme is intended for professionals in the public, private, or NGO sectors with at least four years of work experience aiming to proceed to senior positions. Places are deliberately restricted to ensure high calibre discussion and intellectual engagement. With a select intake, the programme gives you a powerful networking opportunity with a diverse cohort of international students.

The programme is taught in four intensive weeks, weekly evening sessions, and two "policy weekend retreats". This structure is designed to allow time-pressured professionals to combine their existing jobs with study.

Find out more about the MSc International Strategy and Diplomacy

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 welcome applications from all suitably qualified prospective students. At LSE, we want to recruit students with the best academic merit, potential and motivation, irrespective of background.

We carefully consider each application and take into account all the information included on your application form, such as your:

• academic achievement (including predicted and achieved grades)
• statement of academic purpose
• two academic references
• CV.

See further information on supporting documents.

You may need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency. See our English language requirements.

Reference requirements

For the MSc International Strategy and Diplomacy, we're willing to consider two professional references, or one academic and one professional reference.

Please note: The applications, intake and ratio values below include the residential and non-residential streams of the programme.

Applications for this programme are considered on a rolling basis. This means that applications will close once the programme is full.

There is no fixed deadline. However, if you’d like to be considered for any funding opportunities, you must submit your application (and all supporting documents) by the funding deadline. See the fees and funding section below for more details.

The fee above is for 2026/27.

The fee above is for 2026/27.

This is a 12-month full-time programme, however the unique teaching calendar has been designed to allow working professionals to attend all sessions. You will be expected to attend lectures and seminars and actively participate in group discussions and projects.

Teaching is concentrated in the following units:

• first intensive week: September (five days)
• second intensive week: December (five days)
• third intensive week: January (five days)
• fourth intensive week: April (five days)
• 22 weekly evening lectures followed by seminars from September to March
• two policy weekends in November and February.

You can see indicative details of contact hours, teaching staff, and assessment methods for each course in the relevant course guide.

You'll be assessed via an academic essay (counting for 25 per cent of the final mark) and a policy paper (25 per cent of the final mark). The Spring Term is devoted to writing a 3,000-word dissertation plan (12.5 per cent of the final mark) and a 15,000-word dissertation (37.5 per cent of the final mark) on a topic agreed with your dissertation supervisor.

Many graduates have continued to work in their current organisations, bringing new insights to their role or moving to a higher level.

Others have used the programme as a way to change the direction of their career, towards new jobs in government, international organisations, foreign policy consultancy, and NGOs.

The programme will help you advance your career by giving you access to bespoke career coaching.

After graduation, you'll also become part of the IDEAS Alumni Network. Our alumni programme allows students to enhance their professional network and connect with LSE expertise through exclusive events and current affairs discussions.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

From CV workshops through to careers fairs, LSE offers lots of information and support to help you make that all-important step from education into work.

Many of the UK’s top employers give careers presentations at the School during the year and there are numerous workshops covering topics such as job hunting, managing interviews, writing a cover letter and using LinkedIn.

See LSE Careers for further details.