How long is the MA in International Governance?

The MA in International Governance runs one year full-time or two years part-time. Part-time routes for the MA in International Governance are especially popular with working diplomatic and NGO professionals.

In what modes can I study the MA in International Governance?

The MA in International Governance is delivered on-campus in central London, live online, and by distance learning. All three modes of the MA in International Governance close with a dissertation, capstone or sponsor project.

Is the MA in International Governance UK-recognised?

Yes. The MA in International Governance is a UK Level 7 research-informed Master's degree aligned with Political Studies Association, BISA and Chatham House-informed themes.

What are the entry requirements for the MA in International Governance?

Applicants to the MA in International Governance need a Bachelor's at 2:2 or above, IELTS 6.5 for non-native speakers, references and a 500-word research proposal. Portfolio applicants with 5+ years of senior experience are considered.

How much does the MA in International Governance cost and is funding available?

Tuition for the MA in International Governance is confirmed in your written offer. Fee-in-instalment plans, employer sponsorship and international scholarship guidance are supported.

MA in International Governance | LSLPE | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The MA in International Governance is a UK Level 7 research-informed Master's degree running one year full-time or two years part-time, calibrated for senior-track applicants moving into multilateral policy, international programme work and diplomatic support. Delivered on-campus, online and by distance learning, the degree reads international governance as a working practitioner discipline centred on treaty regimes, multilateral negotiations and institutional reform.

By dissertation stage you will be drafting a full policy paper on a live international-governance question, running scenario analysis on a regional or global issue, and defending an original piece of research in front of a panel drawn from Chatham House-adjacent analysts and former diplomats.

Key Features

Curriculum aligned with Political Studies Association (PSA), British International Studies Association (BISA) and Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House)-informed themes.
Applied multilateral-negotiation and treaty-drafting exercises.
Research modules covering qualitative comparative analysis, process tracing and case-study design.
Weekly seminars in the case-room and select-committee tradition with named tutor support.
Dissertation or sponsor consulting project supervised by a practising analyst or former diplomat.
Central London base within reach of Chatham House, the FCDO and Whitehall.

What You Will Learn

The architecture and reform politics of the UN family, WTO and Bretton Woods institutions.
Comparative regional governance across the EU, African Union, ASEAN and Mercosur.
Applied multilateral negotiation, coalition-building and treaty drafting.
The politics of climate, health and trade regimes.
Applied research methods including qualitative comparative analysis and process tracing.
The mechanics of NGO, corporate and diaspora influence on multilateral outcomes.
Applied international programme design and monitoring at Master's depth.
How to write a full policy paper for a multilateral audience.

Who This Course Is For

Working professionals in NGOs, foundations and international programme teams.
Diplomatic support staff and FCDO-adjacent professionals moving to senior-track work.
Analysts in think tanks and consultancy specialising in international policy.
International applicants targeting UK senior-track international careers.
Applicants preparing for a PhD or research-track career in international affairs.

Career Pathways

Diplomat support role at the FCDO or a mission
International Affairs Officer on a multilateral programme
Foreign Policy Adviser in a government or think-tank team
Programme Manager on a UN or NGO country programme
Think Tank Researcher at Chatham House-adjacent institutes
Global Affairs Analyst in a corporate strategy team
Development Diplomat on a bilateral country programme

The LSLPE careers service supports Master's students with FCDO application coaching, PhD advice and warm introductions to multilateral recruiters. Dissertations, capstones and sponsor projects are supervised by practising barristers, policy advisers and City economists.

Entry Requirements

A UK Bachelor's degree (2:2 or above) or equivalent international qualification in a relevant discipline.
IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for non-native English speakers.
Applicants without a Bachelor's degree but with 5+ years of senior professional experience in international affairs or public policy are considered on portfolio.
One academic and one professional reference.
A 500-word research proposal or professional practice statement.

Why Study at LSLPE

The London School of Law, Politics and Economics teaches international governance as an applied Master's discipline in small, tutor-visible cohorts. Central London places Chatham House, the FCDO, the LSE-adjacent think-tank corridor and Whitehall within a short tube ride, which matters for a Master's whose supervisors and applied briefings live in that ecosystem.

The LSLPE careers service refreshes curriculum alignment each year against PSA, BISA and Chatham House-informed guidance.

Apply for MA in International Governance

Applications for the MA in International Governance are reviewed on a rolling basis. Enrol on an LSLPE Master's programme with a dissertation, capstone or sponsor project supervised by practising analysts. Enrol Now