Course contact details
General Enquiries
Phone:01206 873333
University of Essex
Wivenhoe Park
Colchester
CO4 3SQ
MPol International Relations is an integrated Masters course giving you the opportunity to seamlessly continue your studies from undergraduate to masters level in 4 years (5 years if choosing a placement year or year abroad). It provides a thorough grounding in all major areas of international relations and widens your awareness of the world system, while training you in the research and critical thinking skills that are prized by employers.
Why don't democratic countries go to war with each other? What is the role of the United Nations and other international organisations? What is globalisation and how does it impact our daily lives? Who should pay for climate change? These are the kinds of questions addressed in our MPol in International Relations.
You can explore a very wide range of topic areas in which the Department of Government produces world-leading research, including:
Conflict resolution and peacekeeping
International environmental policy
Security studies
Terrorist groups and tactics
Overseas aid and development
Human rights and global justice
Transitions to democracy
The Department of Government at Essex is one of the most prestigious departments in Europe. It has been ranked top in the UK for research in Political Science & International Studies in every single government assessment exercise since they began in 1986. It also offers a better staff-student ratio than many of the other leading departments in the UK – crucial when it comes to offering support and supervision throughout your degree.
The following entry points are available for this course:
Discover what it's like to study MPol International Relations (integrated masters) including placement year at University of Essex: insights on the course, making friends, personal statement tips, uni prep, and recommended books, podcasts, and videos.
128 - 120 tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels
ABB - BBB or 128 - 120 tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels
Entry requirements for students studying BTEC qualifications are dependent on subjects studied. Advice can be provided on an individual basis.
Please email ugquery@essex.ac.uk for advice on acceptability
QAA-approved Access to HE Diploma: 15 level 3 credits at Distinction and 30 level 3 credits at Merit – 6 level 3 credits at Distinction and 39 level 3 credits at Merit, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided, please contact ugquery@essex.ac.uk for more information.
or three Higher Level certificates with 655-555.
We are also happy to consider a combination of separate IB Diploma Programmes at both Higher and Standard Level. Exact offer levels will vary depending on the range of subjects being taken at higher and standard level, and the course applied for. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information on ugquery@essex.ac.uk.
We consider T-levels on a case-by-case basis, depending on subject studied. The offer for most courses is Distinction overall. Depending on the course applied for there may be additional requirements, which may include a specific grade in the Core.
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
At Essex we consider your whole application – not just grades. If you don’t meet the exact grade requirements, you may still be considered.
We’re dedicated to helping students from underrepresented groups to access an Essex education. We may give you a Contextual Offer up to two A-Level grades below our standard conditional offer based on where you live, your school, and other details from your application. Involvement in our on-campus events may also support eligibility for a Contextual Offer.
This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).
It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.
Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
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Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Fees displayed are for the 2025-26 academic year. Fees may increase for each academic intake and each academic year of study.
Phone:01206 873333
Wivenhoe Park
Colchester
CO4 3SQ
At University of Essex