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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's graduates have established careers in research, journalism, teaching and policy formulation and implementation in both government agencies and NGOs.
Key information
Programme starts
September 2021
Modes and duration
Application dates
Tuition fees (2021/22)
Note on fees:
The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.
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.
English language requirements
If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.
The English language level for this programme is: Good
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. International Preparation Courses
Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.
International students
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.
Select your country:
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.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of three core modules (45 credits), three optional modules (45 credits) and a dissertation (90 credits). Please note: all optional modules are subject to availability.
Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a MSc in International Relations of the Americas.
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 is subject to change.
Compulsory modules
- The International Politics of Latin America
- Post-Cold War US Foreign Policy
- Researching the Americas
Optional modules
Students choose three optional modules from a selection that includes the following:
- Confronting the Colossus: US Anti-Imperialism, 1945-present
- Democratization in Latin America
- Histories of Exclusion: Race and Ethnicity in Latin America
- Latin American Economics
- Money and Politics in Latin America
- Politics of US Foreign Policy
- State and Society in Latin America: Ethnographic Perspectives
- Sustainable Development in Latin America and the Caribbean
- The Latin American City: Social Problems and Social Change in Urban Space
- The Politics of Human Rights in Latin America: Challenges to Democratization
- The Politics of Human Rights in Latin America: Transitional Justice
- The Making of the Modern US Presidency
- From Skid Row to Obamacare: The Politics of Social Welfare in the United States Since 1900
- The Making of Modern Latin America: History, Politics and Society
- Challenges to Development in Brazil
- Gender, Politics, and Public Policy in Latin America
- American Political Development: Politics and Institutions, 1900 - Present
- From the New South to the Modern South: The (Re)Making of an American Region
- Globalisation and Latin American Development
- Politics, Society and Development in the Modern Caribbean
Students may choose elective modules up to a maximum of 30 credits from other UCL departments or University of London colleges, subject to the Programme Director's approval.
Dissertation/report
All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 15,000 words.
Fieldwork
Many of our Master's students undertake fieldwork in order to carry out research for their dissertation projects.
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.
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.
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 & Wellbeing team.
Funding
Funding opportunities at the Institute of the Americas can be found here.
Scholarships relevant to this department are displayed below.
Miller Bursary
- Note:
- Deadline: 30 July 2021
- Value:
- £5,000 (1 year)
- Eligibility:
- UK
- Criteria:
- Based on both academic merit and financial need
For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.
Careers
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.
Employability
This MSc enhances employability for those interested in careers in the diplomatic service, think tanks, journalism, and business with Americas markets.
Why study this degree at UCL?
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.
Department: Institute of the Americas
What our students and staff say
"It's both a pleasure and a privilege for me to be at UCL. It's the pinnacle of my career and I'm not going anywhere else. What's not to like about great colleagues, great students, and a great research environment – all in a leafy spot in the heart of London!"
Professor Iwan Morgan
United States Studies: History and Politics MA, International Relations of the Americas MSc
Professor of US Studies and Commonwalth Fund Professor of American History
"My research falls within two related fields of interdisciplinary study - Environmental Sociology and Agroecology. I have been particularly involved in the theoretical development of environmental sociology as sub-discipline. Working with colleagues from the Americas and Europe, I have sought to shed light on the negative impacts of the globalised food regime on the cultural practices, ecological conditions and livelihoods of small-scale farmers and to promote a better understanding of the productive capacity and socio-ecological merits of the agroecological approach to food sovereignty. The most enjoyable part of my role is sharing and discussing ideas with students. As a teaching fellow I have a lot of contact with students, in them I see hope for the future. UCL is full of bright minds and burning ambitions. Being a personal tutor and supporting students to define and pursue their life and learning goals is a privilege I cherish. "
Dr Graham Woodgate
Globalisation and Latin American Development MSc, International Relations of the Americas MSc
UCL Institute of the Americas
Application and next steps
Applications
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.
This programme requires two references. Further information regarding references can be found in our How to apply section.
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: ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught/application.
Who can apply?
Applicants must have a UK Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate subject (history, politics, international relations or American studies), or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard from a recognised higher education institution. They should wish to develop their understanding of International Relations in the Americas for further research or a career in this field.
Application deadlines
- All applicants
- 31 May 2021
Please note that some funding schemes have an earlier application deadline; please view the Funding section for further details.
For more information see our Applications page.
Apply nowWhat are we looking for?
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.
UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.
Page last modified on 28 August 2021
