Welcome to the International Relations (IR) Department. As a Department we are now in our 84th year, making us one of the oldest as well as largest in the world. Read more about the department.

The LSE IR Masters comes 9th in "Top 10 IR Masters programmes for those looking to run the world"|

Prestigious journal Foreign Policy recently compiled its Top Ten Best International Relations Master's Programs and the LSE MSc programmes came in at number nine! The rankings are part of the Teaching, Research and International Policy (TRIP)| survey.

You can read the full list here|.

Montague Burton Chair|

The IR Dept is pleased to announce that Prof Iver B Neumann |will be our next Montague Burton Professor, from 1 Sept 2012. He is currently Research Director of the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs.

The Montague Burton Chair, established in 1936, has been held by some distinguished professors including Susan Strange, Christopher Hill, Fred Halliday and Barry Buzan.

Dr Andrew Walter's book tops Foreign Policy's 'Favourite Reads of 2011'|

Dr Andrew Walter has topped a Foreign Policy poll for Favourite Reads of 2011 with his book "China, the United States, and Global Order". The co-authored publication discusses multiple facets of the Chinese-American relationship and it is quoted as "a must-read for anyone interested in the future of global governance".

Attention Final Year Undergraduates!|

The IR Dept has a deep interest in your views on your undergraduate education. We encourage you to participate in the National Student Survey and give us your feedback on all aspects of your undergraduate experience. The survey is live between now and 30 April 2012. Click here to take part in the survey.|

Video about International Political Economy|

In a six-minute video MSc IPE Programme Director Dr Jeffrey Chwieroth answers some questions about IPE and specifically about the LSE MSc IPE programme.

Watch it online or download to watch later|.

For more news for the IR Department, visit our News page.

Cumberland Lodge Conference 2011
After having struggled through the Friday afternoon traffic to get out of London, this year’s group of attendees from LSE’s international relations department enjoyed the ‘informal reception’ at Cumberland Lodge to get ready for a weekend of good food, merry … Continue reading →

EFPU roundtable: ‘The EU’s Influence in its Eastern Neighbourhood’
On 2 February 2012 the LSE’s European Foreign Policy Unit hosted the fourth of ten roundtables on ‘EU Foreign Policy after Lisbon’ addressing the highly topical issue of “The EU’s Influence in its Eastern Neighbourhood”. The panellists were Professor Hiski … Continue reading →

IR New Year’s Party 2012
The International Relations Department saw 2012 off to a great start at its New Year’s Party on Friday 13 January. The party, held in the LSE Students’ Union basement bar, hosted two bands. The Margot Light Brigade featured three IR … Continue reading →

EFPU roundtable: ‘EU Foreign Policy: The View from the Mediterranean’
On 19 January 2012 the LSE’s European Foreign Policy Unit hosted the third roundtable on ‘EU Foreign Policy after Lisbon’, entitled ‘EU Foreign Policy: The View from the Mediterranean’. The panellists were Professor Atila Eralp (Middle East Technical University, Ankara), … Continue reading →

EFPU roundtable: ‘EU Foreign Policy after Lisbon: the Role of Parliaments in EU Foreign Policy Decision-making’
On 6 December 2011 the LSE’s European Foreign Policy Unit hosted the second of ten roundtables on ‘EU Foreign Policy after Lisbon’. In this series policy-makers, experts and other stakeholders are invited to share their views on the EU’s role … Continue reading →

EFPU roundtable: ‘EU Foreign Policy after Lisbon: the Common Security and Defence Policy’
On 17 November 2011 the LSE’s European Foreign Policy Unit hosted the first of ten roundtables on ‘EU Foreign Policy after Lisbon’. In this series policy-makers, experts and other stakeholders are invited to share their views on the EU’s role … Continue reading →

European Union Economic Diplomacy
|(Ashgate, 2012)
Stephen Woolcock

The first comprehensive analysis of the factors that determine the role of the EU in economic diplomacy. It contains a comprehensive explanation of decision making and negotiating processes in the core areas of trade, financial market regulation, environmental diplomacy and development co-operation.

The Rise and Fall of Al-Qaeda
|(Oxford University Press, 2011)
Fawaz A Gerges

In this concise and fascinating book, Fawaz A. Gerges argues that Al-Qaeda has degenerated into a fractured, marginal body kept alive largely by the self-serving anti-terrorist bureaucracy it helped to spawn.

A Liberal Peace? The Problems and Practices of Peacebuilding
|(Zed Books, 2011)
Susanna Campbell, David Chandler and Meera Sabaratnam

The West's complex record in post-war intervention is critically examined from alternative theoretical and empirical angles in this collaborative volume, which queries the labels and perceptions traditionally applied.

Foreign Policy Analysis: New Approaches
|(Routledge, Oct 2011)
Chris Alden and Amnon Aran

This work builds on and expands the theoretical canvas of foreign policy analysis, shaping its ongoing dialogue with international relations and offering an important introduction to the field. It is essential reading for all students of foreign policy and international relations

For more publications by members of the IR Department, visit the pages on Staff Publications: new books|, older books| and Staff Publications: articles and chapters|.

Prospective applicants|

Applicants wishing to apply for the BSc IR, MSc IR and MSc IR Research, the MSc IR Theory, the MSc IPE and MSc IPE Research and the MPhil/PhD programme should read the following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS):

FAQs for prospective BSc International Relations applicants|
FAQs for prospective MSc International Relations applicants|
FAQs for prospective MSc in International Political Economy (IPE) applicants|
FAQs for prospective MSc International Relations Theory applicants|
FAQ for prospective MPhil/PhD International Relations applicants|

Incoming and current students|

These are divided into the following sections:

General questions|
Questions for first-year undergraduates|
Questions for taught course graduate students|
Questions for first-year research students (MPhil/PhD)|

International Relations Student Handbooks|

Those on the LSE network can read and download the IR Taught Courses Student Handbook (BSc and MSc) or the IR Research Student Handbook here|.

Programmes of study

IR research

Centres and units|