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UCL Institute of the Americas

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International Relations of the Americas MSc

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.

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About this degree

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This programme introduces students to skills essential for the analytical study of the international relations of the Americas. 
 
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.

Learn more about this course


Testimonials

Meet a current student

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Our current student Felipe shares their motivation behind choosing to study the International Relations of the Americas MSc programme and what they plan to do after completing the course.

International Students

Wen Ma
"As an international student, in a country I had never been to before, I was able to have a relaxed and comfortable study space, not only with native students, but also with students from all over the world."

There is a long tradition of international students studying at UCL. Here, former student Wen Ma talks about her experience studying with us.
Student Testimonial: Wen Ma


Study Abroad

Many of our Master's students undertake fieldwork in order to carry out research for their dissertation projects. Here, our former students share their experiences carrying out their fieldwork abroad. 

Robert Eveson

"I spent 3 weeks in Washington D.C. carrying out interviews with representatives from the Organization of American States (OAS) about the response of the organisation to recent democratic breakdowns in the Americas...Overall, I really enjoyed the experience and I felt I developed several skills - interview technique, Atlanta, Georgia, USA patience and effective planning to name a few. Also, my confidence working and researching in Spanish was boosted as about half of the interviews were conducted in Spanish."

Read the full testimonial here

Alejandra Escobar Bravo

"Thanks to the UCL Travel Scholarship, I was able to travel to Bogotá, Colombia, to do my dissertation fieldwork, a key element for my study...During a month I had the chance to interview key government officials and NGOs representatives that worked in the implementation of anti-corruption mechanisms, helping me to better understand the challenges of dealing with corruption in the country and the different links of corruption with human rights issues."

Read the full testimonial here.  

Hugh Taylor

"Going into the field to meet with diplomats and leading analysts was a rare and eye-opening experience. With the help of the Travel Grant I was able to visit Buenos Aires where I interviewed politicians close to foreign policy design...The overall result was a deeper understanding of what drives Argentina and a closer connection to my subject. I would hugely recommend fieldwork to future students."

Read the full testimonial here.  

Felix Wright

"As a result of the travel grant from the UCL Institute of the Americas I was privileged to be able to spend 2 weeks in Austin Texas at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library...Being able to work with raw documents used by these figures in making these massive decisions some 60 years ago was a phenomenal experience, whilst Austin itself was an amazing city to explore. This research trip was been the highlight of my academic career – without the grant it would not have been possible."

Read the full testimonial here

Meet the Programme Director

Dr Francesca Lessa
Dr Francesca Lessa is Associate Professor in International Relations of the Americas at University College London (UCL). Previously, between 2011 and 2023, she held various roles at the University of Oxford, including Departmental Lecturer in Latin American Studies and Development (2020-2023) and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Global Fellow (2016-2020). 

 

Francesca’s research agenda focuses on international relations, human rights, and transitional justice, with a geographical focus on South America. She is an internationally recognised expert on Operation Condor and the politics of human rights trials.