MA International Relations

What this degree is

MA International Relations is a postgraduate degree in the systematic study of how states, international organisations, non-state actors, and global forces interact in the international system. It examines why wars occur and how they end, how international institutions are created and whether they function as intended, how foreign policy decisions are made, how international law constrains state behaviour, and how global processes — trade, migration, climate change, technological change — reshape the international order.

The MA in International Relations operates at the advanced scholarly level: students are expected to engage with IR theory rigorously, to understand the historical development of the international system, and to analyse contemporary events using the analytical frameworks of the discipline. It is not primarily a training in diplomacy or foreign affairs as a professional practice (though it is excellent preparation for diplomatic and policy careers), but a disciplinary degree in IR as a social science.

The Indian context: India’s most prestigious postgraduate IR programme is at the School of International Studies (SIS) at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi. SIS has been producing India’s IR scholars, diplomats, and strategic thinkers since its establishment as a postgraduate research school. The MA in Politics (with specialisation in International Relations) — to use the exact JNU nomenclature — draws applicants from across India and abroad and is consistently among the most competitive postgraduate programmes in the country.

Beyond JNU, MA International Relations is offered at University of Hyderabad, Jawaharlal Nehru University’s other centres (for Area Studies), Jadavpur University, Jamia Millia Islamia, South Asian University (New Delhi), and, at private institutions, through Jindal School of International Affairs (which offers a separate pathway into an MA) and other programmes.

India’s relationship with International Relations as a discipline has a distinctive character. Indian IR scholarship has long engaged with questions of non-alignment, North-South relations, postcolonialism, and regional security in South Asia. JNU SIS, in particular, developed a tradition that takes Indian foreign policy seriously as a research object and that brings area studies depth — knowledge of specific regions — to bear on theoretical debates.

The UPSC pathway: For Indian students, the MA in International Relations is closely associated with preparation for the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), the diplomatic cadre of the Indian government. IFS is recruited through the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Political Science and International Relations is one of the most popular UPSC optional subjects, and an MA from JNU SIS or an equivalent institution provides strong preparation. Many JNU SIS graduates pursue the UPSC as their primary career goal, while others go into academia, think tanks, journalism, and NGOs.

What students actually study

An MA International Relations curriculum covers the following main domains:

International Relations theory. The competing theoretical frameworks through which IR scholars explain the behaviour of states and other actors: Realism (power, anarchy, the security dilemma), Liberalism (international institutions, democratic peace, interdependence), Constructivism (norms, identity, ideational factors), Marxism and Critical Theory (class, imperialism, structural inequality), Postcolonialism (colonial legacies, Southern perspectives, decolonial critiques), and Feminist IR (gender, security, and international politics). At the MA level, students engage with these theories in their scholarly depth — reading Waltz, Keohane, Wendt, Cox, Tickner — rather than as survey summaries.

International security. War, deterrence, nuclear strategy, terrorism, peacekeeping, conflict resolution, and non-traditional security threats. The study of security has expanded significantly: students now engage with climate security, cyber warfare, health security (pandemics), transnational crime, and human security (the security of individuals rather than states). India’s strategic context — nuclear doctrine, the South Asian security complex, relations with China and Pakistan, the Indian Ocean region — is typically a significant component.

Foreign policy analysis. How states make foreign policy decisions. The roles of leaders, bureaucracies, domestic politics, ideology, interest groups, and public opinion in shaping state behaviour externally. Indian Foreign Policy is a standard course at Indian MA IR programmes, covering the Nehruvian legacy, non-alignment, India’s nuclear programme, India-China relations, India-Pakistan relations, India-US relations, and India’s approach to multilateral institutions.

International political economy (IPE). The interaction of politics and economics globally — trade regimes, international finance, foreign direct investment, development finance, and the political economy of globalisation. The WTO, IMF, World Bank, and regional economic institutions (ASEAN, SAARC, BRICS, G20) are key institutional reference points.

International law and organisations. The legal architecture of the international system — the UN Charter, treaty law, customary international law, international humanitarian law (laws of war), international human rights law, and international criminal law. The functioning of intergovernmental organisations — the UN system, NATO, ASEAN, the African Union — and the politics of multilateralism.

Area studies. At JNU SIS, area studies is deeply integrated into the MA curriculum — students can engage with the politics and foreign policy of specific regions through the school’s nine area studies centres. The ability to combine theoretical depth with knowledge of a specific region — South Asia, East Asia, West Asia, the Americas, Europe, or Africa — is one of JNU SIS’s distinctive strengths.

Research methods. At the MA level, students learn qualitative and quantitative methods applicable to IR research: case studies, process tracing, discourse analysis, comparative methods, and increasingly quantitative data analysis. The ability to design and conduct independent research culminates in a dissertation or major research paper.

Typical curriculum and specialisations

JNU — MA in Politics (Specialisation in International Relations), School of International Studies:

JNU’s MA in Politics (with specialisation in International Relations) is a two-year, School-level programme to which all 14 centres of SIS contribute. It combines papers in international politics, international law, area studies, political economy, and security studies. The programme has approximately 115 seats and is among the most competitive in India. Admission is through CUET-PG.

The two-year programme spans four semesters and covers international relations theory, foreign policy analysis, international organisations, international law, security studies, and area studies — with students choosing their area studies concentration from the range of regional centres at SIS. Compulsory courses across the cohort ensure a common theoretical foundation; optional courses allow depth in security, law, economics, or specific regions.

JNU SIS also offers a separate MA in International Relations and Area Studies (introduced in 2016-17) and, from 2025-26, an MA in International Relations — West Asian Studies. Students interested specifically in area studies may consider these programmes alongside the main MA Politics/IR stream.

Jindal School of International Affairs (JSIA), O.P. Jindal Global University:

JGU’s Jindal School of International Affairs offers postgraduate programmes alongside its flagship undergraduate BA (Hons) Global Affairs. The MA programme builds on the JSIA’s strong undergraduate curriculum and provides students with depth in security studies, international law, diplomacy, and area studies. Private university setting means higher fees but also smaller classes and stronger practical and applied components.

South Asian University (SAU), New Delhi:

SAU’s Faculty of Social Sciences includes a strong MA programme in International Relations with a South Asian regional focus. The international student body (from SAARC member states) and faculty from across the region give SAU’s IR programme a distinctive comparative and regional character. SAU is particularly strong for students interested in South Asian security, SAARC and regional cooperation, and postcolonial IR.

University of Hyderabad:

The Department of Political Science at Hyderabad Central University offers MA Political Science with significant IR content, and the School of Social Sciences has a tradition of critical IR scholarship. Students interested in IPE, development and IR, and postcolonial approaches to global politics find Hyderabad’s programme intellectually rich.

The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, Massachusetts, USA:

The Fletcher School is one of the world’s oldest and most respected graduate schools of international affairs. The Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy (MALD) is Fletcher’s flagship two-year degree. The curriculum is deliberately interdisciplinary: students take courses across international law, international business, economics, security studies, conflict resolution, and development. Fletcher’s interdisciplinary approach — students design their own programme from a menu of field concentrations — produces graduates who combine theoretical fluency with applied practical skills. Fletcher allows cross-registration at Harvard’s graduate schools, substantially expanding course options. GRE or GMAT is optional at Fletcher.

LSE — MSc International Relations:

LSE’s MSc International Relations is one of the most academically rigorous one-year postgraduate IR degrees in the world. The compulsory core course, International Politics, provides historical and theoretical grounding in IR. Students then choose optional courses (to the value of two units) from a comprehensive list covering international institutions, American grand strategy, China and the Global South, European defence and security, the politics of international human rights, critical war studies, the politics of peace and security in Sub-Saharan Africa, race and decolonisation, and many others. The degree concludes with a 10,000-word dissertation. Entry requires a 2:1 degree in politics, history, IR, or a related discipline.

Aberystwyth University — MA International Relations:

The University of Aberystwyth, Wales, is where International Relations as a discipline was founded — the world’s first professorship in International Relations was established there in 1919. Aberystwyth’s MA International Relations is a one-year degree known for its critical, reflexive, and post-Western approach to IR theory. The programme exposes students to post-Western thinking, planetary politics, gender approaches, and the politics of knowledge in international practice. Students engage with decolonial ideas, feminist approaches, and Anthropocene thinking alongside classical IR concepts. It is particularly strong for students interested in critical theory, securitisation, and the theoretical frontiers of the discipline. Entry requires a 2:1 or equivalent.

SAIS — Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, Washington, DC:

SAIS is a professional postgraduate school for international affairs embedded in Washington’s policy community. The two-year MA in International Relations combines analytical rigour (SAIS requires all students to complete economics and language requirements) with access to practitioners, policymakers, and think tanks. SAIS emphasises the intersection of foreign policy, security, economics, and area studies.

Skills this degree builds

Theoretical fluency in IR. The ability to apply Realist, Liberal, Constructivist, Postcolonial, and Critical frameworks to international events and processes. This is the core analytical competency of the MA, distinguishing graduates who understand the structural dynamics of world politics from those who can only describe events.

Strategic and security analysis. Understanding military strategy, nuclear deterrence, conflict dynamics, peacekeeping, and hybrid threats. Applicable in foreign services, defence ministries, think tanks, and strategic consulting.

Policy analysis and writing. The ability to produce policy briefs, research papers, analytical memos, and country reports on international topics. Both academic and applied writing skills are developed.

International law literacy. Understanding the legal frameworks that govern state behaviour, the jurisdiction and limits of international courts, and the legal dimensions of human rights, trade, and armed conflict.

Area knowledge. Depth in the politics, history, foreign policy, and security dynamics of specific world regions. Graduates with strong area knowledge are valued in foreign services, international business, and intelligence analysis.

Research methodology. Qualitative and quantitative methods for conducting IR research — case studies, process tracing, comparative analysis, content analysis, and statistical methods.

Foreign language proficiency. Many strong IR programmes — JNU SIS, Sciences Po, Fletcher, Georgetown SFS — emphasise foreign language learning as essential to serious IR scholarship. Students who can conduct research in a second or third language are significantly more competitive in diplomatic and scholarly careers.

Who should consider this degree

MA International Relations suits students who:

• Are genuinely interested in the structural dynamics of international politics — not just current affairs but the theories, institutions, and forces that shape them
• Are preparing for the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) through UPSC, where Political Science and International Relations is the optional subject
• Want to work in multilateral organisations, think tanks, diplomatic services, or international NGOs
• Are interested in security studies, foreign policy analysis, or global governance as research areas
• Want to pursue a PhD in IR, political science, or area studies
• Want to complement undergraduate study in political science, history, economics, or social science with specialist international affairs training

Students primarily interested in Indian domestic politics should consider MA Political Science. Students primarily interested in applied policy work in domestic governance should consider MA Public Policy.

How this degree differs from related degrees

MA International Relations vs BA International Relations: The BA International Relations provides an undergraduate foundation in IR theory, history, and institutions — sufficient for developing analytical literacy but not for scholarly depth. The MA requires engagement with IR theory at the level of primary texts, independent research, and disciplinary expertise. The undergraduate degree qualifies students for entry-level research and analytical roles; the MA opens access to research positions, diplomatic careers, PhD programmes, and senior policy roles.

MA International Relations vs MA Political Science: MA Political Science is broader — it covers political theory, comparative politics, Indian politics, and public administration alongside IR. The MA International Relations is narrower and deeper in its IR focus: security studies, foreign policy analysis, international law, area studies, and global governance receive more sustained attention. Students whose primary intellectual interest is in the international system — rather than in political philosophy or Indian democratic politics — are better served by the MA IR; students who want the breadth of political science alongside IR should consider MA Political Science.

MA International Relations vs MA Public Policy: MA Public Policy is an applied, professional degree focused on domestic and international governance — policy analysis, public economics, programme evaluation, and administrative management. MA International Relations is primarily a scholarly degree in the theory and analysis of international politics. The IR degree is more relevant for foreign policy, security, and diplomacy careers; the Public Policy degree is more relevant for domestic governance, development, and regulatory careers. For students interested in global governance and the international dimensions of policy (trade policy, development finance, climate governance), both degrees are relevant and the choice depends on whether the primary orientation is toward analytical-scholarly or applied-professional work.

Admissions and eligibility patterns

Common entrance routes

Route	Details
GRE	Required or preferred for most international MA IR programmes including Fletcher School, LSE, SAIS Johns Hopkins, and other US and UK universities. Fletcher School and several others accept GRE optional. Sciences Po and Aberystwyth do not require standardised tests
College-specific	CUET-PG for JNU and central universities; JNU uses test code HUQP18 (Political Science paper) for both CPS and SIS MA admissions. SAU uses its own entrance examination. Jindal GU uses institutional application and interview

Eligibility (India): Bachelor’s degree under the 10+2+3 pattern with at least 50% marks in Social Sciences or Humanities (55% for Science graduates). Any undergraduate discipline is eligible, though Social Science or Humanities backgrounds are natural entry points.

Eligibility (international programmes): A 2:1 or equivalent bachelor’s degree is the standard minimum. Most programmes require or strongly prefer experience — professional or research. English language proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL) required for non-native speakers.

Competitiveness at JNU SIS: JNU SIS is one of the most competitive postgraduate admissions in India. The 115 seats attract applicants from across the country. CUET-PG scores in the range of 220–270 (out of 300) are typically required across categories, making this among the most demanding CUET-PG programmes.

India vs global degree structure

India (JNU SIS model): Two-year, four-semester degree. Combines theoretical IR with area studies depth. Strong in postcolonial and South Asian regional perspectives. Nominal fees (approximately ₹677 for the full programme). Highly competitive CUET-PG admission. The degree is structured around the 14 centres of SIS, allowing students to combine theoretical foundations with area studies depth in their chosen region.

India (private universities): Jindal’s JSIA offers MA programmes with higher fees but stronger applied and practical components — simulations, policy projects, international faculty, and professional networks. South Asian University provides a genuinely international South Asian environment.

United Kingdom (one-year model): LSE’s MSc IR is a one-year, research-intensive degree. Strong on IR theory, methodology, and specific regional or thematic concentrations. The 10,000-word dissertation provides genuine research depth. Aberystwyth’s MA is also one year, with a distinctive critical and post-Western orientation.

United States (two-year model): Fletcher School and SAIS are two-year professional-academic degrees. They combine theoretical foundations with applied skills (foreign language requirements, economics requirements at SAIS, policy writing, and internship opportunities). Washington and Boston’s policy communities provide professional networking unavailable in academic settings.

Key difference for Indian applicants: The Indian public university model (JNU, Hyderabad) offers world-class IR education at near-zero cost within India’s policy and intellectual community. International programmes at Fletcher, LSE, and SAIS offer internationally recognised credentials, diverse alumni networks, and access to Western and global policy communities. The choice depends on career goals: Indian foreign service or Indian academia versus international organisations and global think tanks.

Careers after this degree

Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and diplomatic corps. The IFS is the most prominent career destination for Indian IR graduates. IFS recruitment is through the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Political Science and International Relations is a leading optional subject. JNU SIS has produced a significant proportion of India’s serving diplomats. The degree provides both the substantive knowledge (Indian foreign policy, international law, area studies) and the analytical training (IR theory, policy analysis) that IFS roles require.

Indian Administrative Service and civil services broadly. The IAS and state civil services are also significant destinations. International Relations content — India’s foreign policy, global governance, multilateral institutions — is tested in UPSC General Studies papers, and an MA IR provides strong preparation for both the general and optional papers.

Think tanks and strategic research. Observer Research Foundation (ORF), Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA), Manohar Parrikar IDSA (Government of India), Carnegie India, Stimson Center South Asia Programme, Chatham House India, IISS. Entry-level research analysts and fellows; senior positions require several years of experience.

International organisations. UN system agencies, World Bank Group, IMF, UNHCR, WFP, and regional organisations (ASEAN Secretariat, African Union, etc.). Entry is competitive; typical entry requires a relevant master’s degree, relevant language skills, and professional experience. Internships during the MA programme are an important pathway.

Journalism and media. Foreign correspondents, international affairs editors, and strategic analysis journalists. IR graduates are well-positioned for quality journalism covering India’s foreign policy, security, and global affairs. Digital media and policy journalism platforms (ThePrint, The Wire, Scroll, Indian Express editorial positions, international outlets) regularly recruit writers with analytical and IR training.

International business and consulting. Geopolitical risk analysis, government relations, regulatory strategy, and market entry in complex political environments. Consulting firms (McKinsey, BCG, Kroll, Control Risks), international corporations, and trade associations value IR graduates’ geopolitical literacy.

International law. A significant proportion of IR graduates pursue LLM degrees with an international law focus — international arbitration, trade law, human rights law, and international criminal law. The combination of IR analytical training and international law qualification is valuable in courts, NGOs, and international legal practice.

Development sector. International NGOs and bilateral development agencies employ IR graduates as programme managers, policy advocates, and research officers. This is particularly the case for graduates with area studies depth in the Global South.

Higher study and progression pathways

• MPhil/PhD in International Relations or Political Science: JNU SIS and JNU CPS for India; LSE, Oxford, Cambridge, Princeton, Yale, and Columbia for international doctoral programmes. Most leading academic careers in IR require a PhD.
• PhD in Area Studies: Regional studies doctoral programmes at JNU (each Area Studies Centre has a PhD programme), SOAS London, and major US universities.
• Second master’s degree: Indian IR graduates sometimes pursue a second master’s — at Fletcher, LSE, or SAIS — for international exposure and credential. This is particularly common for students pursuing international organisations careers.
• LLM (International Law): Oxford, Cambridge, NYU, LSE, Columbia for students interested in international humanitarian law, human rights, or trade law.
• MA Public Policy: For graduates who want to add applied policy analytical skills to their IR theoretical training — particularly useful for international development roles.
• UPSC Civil Services: The most common post-graduation path for Indian IR graduates. Political Science and International Relations optional; General Studies benefit directly.

Liberal arts and interdisciplinary context

International Relations as a discipline is inherently inter-disciplinary — it requires history (to understand how the international system evolved), political science (to understand how states and institutions behave), economics (to understand trade, development, and international finance), law (to understand legal frameworks and constraints), sociology (to understand transnational social forces), and increasingly natural science (to understand climate change as a geopolitical force).

JNU SIS reflects this interdisciplinarity through its structure: functional centres covering law, political theory, economics, and security alongside nine area studies centres covering every major world region. Students who want genuine depth in both theoretical frameworks and regional knowledge are well served by this model.

Aberystwyth’s approach is different but also profoundly interdisciplinary: by bringing feminist theory, postcolonial studies, and environmental humanities into IR, the programme forces students to question the discipline’s own assumptions and to think across traditional scholarly boundaries.

Indian institutional examples

Jawaharlal Nehru University — School of International Studies (SIS), New Delhi. India’s premier postgraduate institution for International Relations and Area Studies. The MA in Politics (Specialisation in International Relations) is taught through the 14 centres of SIS, combining theoretical foundations with area studies depth. Faculty have defined India’s IR scholarship for decades. Alumni include senior Indian diplomats, leading academics, and prominent journalists. Highly competitive admission through CUET-PG; 115 seats; nominal fees.

South Asian University (SAU), New Delhi. An international university established by the eight SAARC member nations, with a genuinely regional and international student body. The MA in International Relations at SAU emphasises South Asian security, regional cooperation, and postcolonial perspectives. The student body from across South Asia provides a unique comparative regional perspective unavailable at any purely national institution.

Jawaharlal Nehru University — MA in International Relations and Area Studies (SIS). A more specialised programme introduced in 2016-17, with explicit focus on area studies. Suitable for students who want depth in a specific world region alongside IR theoretical foundations.

Jindal School of International Affairs (JSIA), O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat. The private university alternative to JNU SIS. JSIA’s postgraduate programmes build on the strong undergraduate Global Affairs curriculum, with smaller class sizes, international faculty, applied policy components, and strong professional networks. Higher fees than public alternatives; residential campus in Haryana.

International institutional examples

The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, Massachusetts, USA. One of the oldest and most respected graduate schools of international affairs in the world. The MALD (Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy) is a two-year degree integrating international law, economics, political science, and security studies. Fletcher’s highly customisable curriculum allows students to design a specialisation across these fields. Cross-registration at Harvard allows access to the Kennedy School, Law School, and other graduate programmes. GRE/GMAT is now optional. Fletcher alumni are prominent in US foreign policy, international organisations, and global business.

London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), UK — MSc International Relations. LSE’s IR programme is among the most rigorous and intellectually demanding one-year IR degrees globally. The compulsory International Politics core course provides a rigorous theoretical and historical grounding; the wide options menu allows deep exploration of specific security, regional, or governance topics. The 10,000-word dissertation provides genuine research experience. LSE’s location in London — seat of the UK’s foreign policy community, international press, and multilateral organisations — provides exceptional professional opportunity.

Aberystwyth University, Wales, UK — MA International Relations. Where IR as an academic discipline was founded (1919). Aberystwyth’s MA is known for critical, post-Western, and gender-sensitive approaches to IR theory. A one-year degree offering modules including International Politics, Intelligence and Security, Order-Making in International Politics, Knowledge and Expertise in International Politics, and Race, (Im)mobility, and Incarceration, alongside a dissertation. Entry typically requires a 2:1 or equivalent; non-graduates considered based on relevant experience.

SAIS — Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, Washington, DC, USA. A professional school for international affairs deeply embedded in Washington’s policy community. The two-year MA combines rigorous quantitative economics and language training with area studies and functional policy specialisations. SAIS has three campuses (Washington DC, Bologna, and a Nanjing partnership), giving students a genuinely international experience. Faculty and adjuncts include prominent former officials, journalists, and practitioners.

Related degrees and next reads

• BA International Relations — the undergraduate foundation; compare UG and PG scope before deciding
• MA Political Science — broader coverage of political theory, Indian politics, and comparative politics
• MA Public Policy — applied governance and policy analysis alternative for domestic and international policy careers
• MA Development Studies — development-focused alternative for students interested in the Global South and political economy of development
• MA Economics — quantitative foundation for students interested in the international political economy track

Sources Used

• JNU School of International Studies — programme overview and centres (jnu.ac.in)
• JNU e-Prospectus 2026-27 — SIS MA programmes (jnu.ac.in)
• LSE MSc International Relations — programme page (lse.ac.uk)
• LSE MSc International Relations 2025-26 programme regulations (lse.ac.uk)
• Aberystwyth University — MA International Relations L288 (courses.aber.ac.uk)
• The Fletcher School, Tufts University — application instructions and deadlines (fletcher.tufts.edu)
• Jindal School of International Affairs (JSIA) — jgu.edu.in
• South Asian University — Faculty of Social Sciences (sau.int)