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Subject area: Politics and International Relations

Why choose Politics and International Relations at the University of Edinburgh?

  • We are ranked in the UK's top 10 universities for politics in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024.

  • Home to the Scottish Parliament, the city of Edinburgh offers the perfect location in which to study politics. We offer you a dynamic environment regularly hosting leading international academics, politicians and diplomats.

  • Our alumni include government ministers, Members of Parliament, policy analysts, broadcasters, business leaders, teachers and an increasing number of social entrepreneurs.

Study abroad

The continuously changing dynamics of international relations in the world today make it an increasingly crucial field to be immersed in.

Mei Futonaka MA (Hons) International Relations graduate
Mei Futonaka MA (Hons) International Relations graduate

Introducing Politics and International Relations

Studying politics, you will explore the origins and present-day contexts of domestic and international conflicts about power and resources. You will also study:

  • the morality of political action
  • the limits of freedom and justice
  • the processes of governance at various levels

International relations is a sub-field within political science that looks at the origins and evolution of the state system and the changing nature of state power. You will examine the driving forces behind international cooperation and conflict, and explore security and prosperity in the international system.

Our politics programmes focus on politics, political theory, public policy and international relations in:

  • Europe
  • Russia
  • Africa
  • the US

Our international relations programmes cover specific topics and regions within world politics, such as human rights and foreign policy, the Middle East and Africa.

Politics, Philosophy & Economics

This programme examines different interdisciplinary perspectives on many of the pressing issues of the modern world.

It will equip you with the key skills to engage with the political, philosophical and economic debates of the day. You will acquire the necessary frameworks for thinking about political and philosophical issues, combined with the quantitative skills for answering political and economic questions.