Course
International Relations
Offered by School of International Relations
QS Politics & IR
QS Politics & IR Rank: Top 60 in the World (2026)QS World Rank: #113
The University of St Andrews' School of International Relations is one of the oldest and most respected dedicated IR schools in the UK, based in a historic, high-satisfaction university town.
Key advantages
- One of UK's oldest dedicated IR schools
- Historic, high-satisfaction university town
- Strong security studies and terrorism research
- Small, close-knit cohorts
- Consistently top UK student satisfaction
- Beautiful coastal town setting
- Programme & duration
- MLitt: 1 year (full-time)
- Tuition (international)
- Approx. £26,000 – £31,000 per year (indicative; verify on official website)
- Intakes
- September (main intake)
- English requirement
- IELTS: 6.5 overall (min 6.0 per band)TOEFL iBT: 88PTE: 61
- Entry requirements
- 2:1 undergraduate degree in any discipline. Personal statement and references required.
Employability & placement
Good graduate outcomes into diplomatic services, intelligence analysis, and international policy roles.
Student experience
St Andrews is consistently rated among the UK's highest student-satisfaction universities. Historic, safe coastal town.
Research strengths
Research in terrorism studies, security studies, and diplomacy. Home to the renowned Handa Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence.