How long does the MA in International Organizations take?

The MA in International Organizations runs one year full-time or two years part-time. Distance-learning students on the MA in International Organizations typically complete over the two-year part-time schedule.

Is the MA available online?

Yes. The MA in International Organizations is delivered on-campus, online with live seminars, and by distance learning. All modes include the dissertation and simulation seminars.

Is the MA UK-recognised for multilateral roles?

The MA in International Organizations is a UK Level 7 postgraduate qualification aligned with Political Studies Association, BISA and United Nations Association UK themes, positioning graduates for international-body and Whitehall multilateral routes.

What are the entry requirements?

You need a UK Bachelor's (2:2 or above) or equivalent, plus IELTS 6.5 where relevant. Senior practitioners without a Bachelor's may apply on portfolio for the MA in International Organizations.

What are the fees and is funding available?

Fees for the MA in International Organizations vary by mode and are published on the LSLPE fees page. Instalment plans, employer sponsorship and postgraduate loan guidance are supported by the admissions team.

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

Course Overview

The MA in International Organizations is a UK Level 7 postgraduate degree running one year full-time or two years part-time across on-campus, online and distance routes. The programme covers the design and practice of the United Nations system, the WTO, the IMF and World Bank, regional bodies and specialised agencies, drawing on Political Studies Association, British International Studies Association and United Nations Association UK aligned themes.

By graduation, students on the MA in International Organizations are producing institutional briefs on live UN and specialised-agency reform questions, running mandate and governance analyses, drafting mission briefings, and completing a substantial dissertation on the law, politics or administration of an international organisation.

Key Features

Postgraduate modules mapped to Political Studies Association, BISA and United Nations Association UK aligned themes.
Case teaching on live UN General Assembly and Security Council resolutions, WTO dispute settlement and IMF Executive Board decisions.
Guest sessions from serving international-body staff and senior Chatham House researchers.
Advanced simulation seminars including model UN and Track II diplomacy.
Dissertation supervision by tutors active in international-organisations research or practice.
Small cohort model with named programme tutor for every student on the MA in International Organizations.

What You Will Learn

Analyse the design, mandate and legal personality of major international organisations.
Handle governance, funding and accountability questions across the UN system.
Assess the interplay between international law and international politics.
Draft ministerial briefings and mission-level policy notes.
Handle procurement, HR and administrative law within international bodies.
Handle reform and adaptation of institutions under geopolitical stress.
Apply ethics and integrity standards for international-body staff.
Design an international-organisations dissertation project with a defensible methodology.

Who This Course Is For

Serving international-body staff seeking senior progression.
Foreign-service officers and Whitehall analysts moving into multilateral roles.
NGO senior staff working with international agencies.
International lawyers and policy advisers seeking a UK Master's in the field.
International applicants preparing for UN Young Professionals Programme and equivalent exams.

Career Pathways

International Affairs Officer in a UN, WTO or specialised-agency programme.
Foreign Policy Adviser on multilateral matters in Whitehall.
Programme Manager in an international-body operation.
Political Analyst on multilateral teams at consultancies.
Development Diplomat on a bilateral or multilateral aid channel.
Human Rights Officer at an international human-rights body.
Public Affairs Officer on multilateral communications.

The LSLPE careers service supports every MA in International Organizations student on applications into international bodies, Whitehall multilateral desks and think-tank research programmes.

Entry Requirements

A UK Bachelor's degree (2:2 or above) or equivalent international qualification for the MA in International Organizations.
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-body work or multilateral policy are considered on portfolio.
One academic and one professional reference.
A 500-word research proposal on the intended dissertation theme.

Why Study at LSLPE

LSLPE reads international organisations as institutions where law, politics and economics meet under scrutiny. Central London places Whitehall, Chatham House, the UN Association UK and international-body offices within a short tube ride, and every MA cohort is taught in the small select-committee format that defines the school.

Three parallel study modes allow serving international-body staff, foreign-service officers and international applicants to complete the MA in International Organizations without stepping away from live postings. Dissertation supervision draws on practising international-body staff, Whitehall multilateral officers and academic researchers.

Apply for MA in International Organizations

The MA in International Organizations closes with a dissertation, capstone or sponsor project supervised by policy advisers active across the UN system and Whitehall multilateral desks. Enrol on an LSLPE Master's programme. Enrol Now.