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Global Governance and Ethics MSc

London, Bloomsbury

The economic, social, and political importance of global governance is high on the agenda of international organisations. The MSc Global Governance and Ethics combines normative and empirical approaches to analysing global justice, institutions, and governance processes. It equips students to analyse how global governance has evolved, how it operates today, and the challenges it faces in a context of geopolitical, economic, and ecological change. Emphasis is placed on political institutional analysis, as well as critical reflection and historical context, encouraging students to think beyond established models of international coordination.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2026/27)
£21,500
£10,750
Overseas tuition fees (2026/27)
£35,400
£17,700
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2026
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 26 Jun 2026
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 28 Aug 2026
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

As a minimum, an upper second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard; Applicants should ideally have a background in a social science subject (e.g., political science, economics, international relations), law, European studies, history, philosophy, or a related subject. Relevant practical or work experience in a related field may also be taken into account.

The English language level for this course 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


Students of this MSc will benefit from research preparation and tailor-made interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary training of the highest quality at one of the world's best universities.

Who this course is for

The programme is suitable for graduates with an interest in global governance who wish to develop a career in this field, or use the MSc as a foundation for further research. 

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

On this MSc, you are part of UCL’s Department of Political Science and School of Public Policy, recognised as a centre of excellence in the field. Our Department  offers a vibrant and intellectually stimulating environment for the study of global governance and ethics.

Weekly seminars offer students a unique opportunity to engage directly with leading figures in the field of global governance and ethics.  Our students have the option of participating in a student-led visit to Geneva in Term 3 – a major hub for international organisations. 

By the end of the programme, students will: 

  • have a deeper understanding of how global governance operates, and how this complex arena of political interaction can be approached in a theoretically informed and systematic way 
  • be able to identify and critically assess  the ethical issues raised by global rule-making structures and the impact of globalisation on global public goods, with attention to questions of accountability, responsibility, and equity in international affairs
  • be equipped with the theoretical frameworks and empirical evidence necessary to engage with both descriptive accounts of global governance and normative theories of international justice, democracy and public ethics
  • be proficient in both qualitative and quantitative research methods, with an appreciation of their theoretical foundations and ethical implications.
  • possess the analytical and normative skills essential for assessing the design and functioning of global institutions and international policy-making.

UCL Political Science offers a wide range of expertise and teaching in global governance, accommodating diverse student interests across key areas such as the climate crisis, global health and pandemic preparedness.  These themes align with UCL’s broader institutional commitment to addressing major global challenges through interdisciplinary research and policy engagement.

By joining UCL, you become part of one of the world’s leading universities - ranked 9th globally (QS World University Rankings 2025) and 2nd in the UK for research power (Research Excellence Framework 2021).  As a UCL student, you also benefit from studying in London, a city that offers unparalleled access to the UK’s political institutions, think tanks, NGOs and international policy communities working on climate change and other pressing issues.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Most students choose the MSc as the foundation for a career in intergovernmental institutions; in central, regional or local government; in NGOs, business, lobby groups, charities and public affairs, and for funded PhD study.

(Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017–2022)

Employability

Our students receive excellent training to think critically and creatively. Through our methods training, students also possess sophisticated skills in demand by employers in the public and private sector as well as the skills necessary for further academic study.

Networking

You will have access to an impressive range of support, activities, and events that will contribute to your experience. Student societies, exhibitions, lectures, and valuable training is just a snippet of what is on offer for you. The Department host’s an eclectic array  of events, ranging from our 'Policy and Practice' seminars which include talks by high-profile policy makers, practitioners and academics, to our Departmental Research Seminars (DRS). We also organise an annual Careers Week, bringing students together with alumni and industry speakers and offering skills workshops.

  • The UCL Global Governance Institute fosters public engagement and interdisciplinary exchange through a dynamic programme of events, workshops, and networking opportunities. This includes the Global Governance Futures podcast series, which features conversations with leading scholars and practitioners on pressing global challenges.
  • The International Public Policy Review,  a student-led forum for debate, discussion, and networking for those passionate about politics, governance and international affairs
  • The International and Public Affairs Society, a student-run society for all students in the Department of Political Science. The society  organises social and fundraising events and endeavour to develop a strong and friendly community within the School of Public Policy (SPP).
  • UCL Social Data Institute an institute led by the Faculty of Social and Historical Sciences (SHS), which works to amplify UCL’s advanced research and teaching in social data and methods.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures and seminars, and is taught by scholars that combine extensive expertise in relevant theoretical and empirical research fields with institutional, policy and country-specific knowledge. Programme assessment varies across modules and can be conducted through unseen examinations, long essays, policy briefs, and the dissertation.

Assessment is through examinations, long essays and the dissertation.

As a full-time student, typical contact hours amount to around 12 hours per week. Outside of lectures, seminars, workshops, and tutorials, full-time students use their remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments (approximately 20-25 hours).

As a part-time student study at a structured rate per week, normally half the rate of full-time study.

To learn more, please take a look at the Academic Manual.

Modules

You will undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. You can personalise your programme to your own academic or professional interests.

There are two compulsory modules, which provide in depth knowledge of the study of global governance and the ethical challenges it raises.

You must also take one qualitative and one quantitative methods module to qualify you to conduct independent research.

You will choose an additional three optional modules from a wide range of modules that are offered in the department which run the gamut of international relations, political science and international public policy, tackling a wide range of issues from international conflict, to development and climate politics, among many more.  Finally, you will write a dissertation.

The programme structure for part-time students follows the same structure as our full-time students. Please note that all students must take one qualitative and one quantitative methods module in order to conduct further independent research.

We do encourage our part-time students to distribute their workload evenly between the two years of study. The majority of part-time students opt for one of the following patterns:

  • 75 credits in Year 1 and 105 credits in Year 2;

        or

  •  90 credits in Year 1 and 90 credits in Year 2.

Upon completion you will have undertaken modules to the value of 180 credits, comprising three compulsory modules providing you with in-depth knowledge of the study of global governance and the ethical challenges it raises. You will also complete a dissertation. You will have further attended elective module(s) so you can personalise your programme of study to your own academic or professional interests.

Compulsory modules





Optional modules









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 Global Governance and Ethics.

Accessibility

The department will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, including those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, learning differences and mental health conditions. This list is not exhaustive. If you're unsure of your eligibility for reasonable adjustments at UCL, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis. With the student's consent, reasonable adjustments are considered by UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and where required, in collaboration with the respective department.

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information about support available can be obtained from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

For more information about the department and accessibility arrangements for your course, please contact the department.

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Graduate Open Events: Political Science

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Interested in studying Anthropology, Archaeology, Economics, Geography, History, History of Art, History, Politics & Culture of the Americas or Political Science? Join us to learn more about our impressive range of postgraduate programmes offered by the Faculty of Social and Historical Sciences.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2026/27) £21,500 £10,750
Tuition fees (2026/27) £35,400 £17,700

Postgraduate Taught students benefit from a cohort guarantee, meaning that their tuition fees will not increase during the course of the programme, but UCL reserves the right to increase tuition fees to reflect any sums (including levies, taxes, or similar financial charges) that UCL is required to pay any governmental authority in connection with tuition fees.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Where the course 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

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of UK, a fee deposit will be charged at 2.5% of the first year fee.

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of Overseas, a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

In Term 3 there is an optional trip to Geneva. Taking part in this activity will entail additional costs, including travel, accommodation and living costs, which students must cover themselves.

In previous years the Department has part subsidised this trip although the level of support can vary year to year. 

For in-person teaching, UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £119.90. This price was published by TfL in 2025. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

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

See all the ways you can fund your studies

GREAT Scholarship

Deadline: 7th May 2026
Value: £10,000 towards tuition fees (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

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 course of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Global Governance and Ethics at graduate level
  • why you want to study Global Governance and Ethics at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • how your personal, academic and professional background meets the demands of a challenging and truly international academic environment
  • 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.

When it is necessary to calculate a final average mark, the department will calculate all years of undergraduate study.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate courses (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: 2026-2027

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Political Science
Political Science

polsci.admissions@ucl.ac.uk

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