International Relations of the Americas MSc

London, Bloomsbury

This MSc provides a detailed and systematic understanding of the international relations of the Americas, with regard both to inter-American relations and relations with the world beyond. The programme introduces students to skills essential for the analytical study of the international relations of the Americas, and it offers students the opportunity to develop the ability to understand and critically assess the hemispherical and global issues currently facing societies and policymakers in the region. Our graduates have established careers in research, journalism, teaching and policy formulation and implementation in both government agencies and NGOs.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£15,100
£7,550
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£31,100
£15,550
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2024
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 05 Apr 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 30 Aug 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Entry requirements

Normally an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. A basic reading competence in Spanish, French or Portuguese is useful but not essential.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 4

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

This programme, which is unique in the UK, introduces students to skills essential for the analytical study of the international relations of the Americas and assessment of the hemispherical and global issues currently facing foreign policymakers in the nation states of the Americas.

Who this course is for

This programme is suitable for students who wish to develop their understanding of International Relations in the Americas for further research or a career in this field.

What this course will give you

The UCL Institute of the Americas occupies a unique position at the core of academic study of the region in the UK, promoting, co-ordinating and providing a focus for research and postgraduate teaching on the Americas - Canada, the Caribbean, Latin America and the United States.

The institute actively maintains and builds ties with cultural, diplomatic and business organisations with interests in the Americas, and provides resources to the wider academic community, serving and strengthening national networks of North Americanist, Latin Americanist and Caribbeanist scholars.

Students benefit from tuition by world-leading scholars in an academic environment at the cutting-edge of research in the humanities and social sciences.

The foundation of your career

The MSc in International Relations of the Americas prepares students for careers in a wide range of sectors. Our graduates have been highly successful in securing employment in the UK and overseas in policy and government, media and journalism (for example, the BBC), NGOs, IT and technology sector (for example, Facebook), business risk analysis, accountancy and financial services, energy and environmental consultancies, to name a few. Other graduates have gone on to further study at doctoral level in preparation for an academic career.

Employability

Graduates of this programme are well placed to use their skills and knowledge to find employment in government, business, journalism, finance and international NGOs, teaching, or for further research in this field.

Networking

The institute hosts an extensive range of seminars and events with invited speakers from academia, government, and NGOs. We maintain strong links with experts in the field in the UK and in Latin America, North America, and the Caribbean, as well as with the high commissions and embassies of the region in London. Students can benefit from careers talks by alumni; and from events organised by UCL clubs and societies (such as the Mexican Society, Women and Politics Society, African Caribbean Society). Our central London location gives students access to a host of networking activities and events across the capital.

 

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of seminars, lectures, presentations, independent reading and research.

Assessment is through written assignments including essays and primary source analysis, and a dissertation.

The programme will include a total of 40 hours of lectures, seminars and tutorials. Additional learning hours will include independent study and assessment.

Modules

To ensure study of the North and South of the Americas, you will take two compulsory modules in subjects such as International Politics of Latin America, and Post-Cold War US Foreign Policy. This will set the foundation for the whole Master's, preparing you for further topics and for your research dissertation.

In term one, you will start a research skills module which provides guidance for undertaking the research dissertation in term three. You will be exposed to concepts of research design and research methods, thus gaining the necessary knowledge to develop your research dissertation.

In terms one and two you will select three modules of further substantive-subject options from a broader range of modules. These modules further develop key concepts learnt in the compulsory modules, in addition to adding new topics. During term two, you will also prepare your research project proposal, giving continuity to activities in your research skills module.

In term three, you will fully develop your research dissertation in consultation with a specifically designated dissertation supervisor. Many of our Master's students undertake fieldwork in order to carry out research for their dissertation projects. 

Part-time students will split the taught modules between year 1 and year 2. The core modules will be taken in year 1, the research skills module is usually taken in year 1, the dissertation is taken in year 2.

All part-time students must complete a minimum of 60 credits in their first year. These include any core modules that need to be taken in year 1.

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in International Relations of the Americas.

Fieldwork

Many of our Master's students undertake fieldwork in order to carry out research for their dissertation projects.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2024/25) £15,100 £7,550
Tuition fees (2024/25) £31,100 £15,550

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

There may be travel costs associated with fieldwork. The institute has limited funds available to students to help towards the costs of fieldwork. These funds are awarded on a competitive basis on the criteria of academic performance to date, the quality of the research proposal and the importance of fieldwork for completing the research.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Funding your studies

Funding opportunities at the Institute of the Americas can be found here.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

Aziz Foundation Scholarships in Social and Historical Sciences

Value: Full tuition fees (equivalent to 1yr full-time) (1yr)
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study International Relations of the Americas at graduate level
  • why you want to study International Relations of the Americas at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this programme
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Please note that some funding schemes have an earlier application deadline; please view the Funding section for further details.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2024-2025

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.