BSc International Relations and History

This BSc International Relations and History allows you to study two complementary subjects. You’ll look at the nature of the changing dynamics between different countries and the impact of the uneven distribution of power, money, welfare and knowledge on foreign policies and international order.

For the history elements, you’ll analyse the political, economic, social and cultural developments that have shaped states and their relationships with other countries. Our history courses are distinctive for their international perspective – covering Asia, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, Europe and Britain.

The programme draws on the combined expertise of two internationally renowned departments. As you progress, you’ll develop your analytical powers, analyse complex evidence from a variety of sources and learn how to present your findings clearly – all highly transferable skills for your future career.

This programme provides an excellent springboard for a future career in politics, government, NGOs, journalism and research.

History

• M Abbott History Skills (Routledge, 1996)
• A Best et al An International History of the Twentieth Century and Beyond (Routledge, 2014)
• D Cannadine What is History Now? (Palgrave, 2002)
• R Evans In Defence of History (Granta, 1997)
• D Reynolds One World Divisible (Norton, 2000)
• D Stevenson 1914-1918: the history of the First World War (Allen Lane, 2004)
• O A Westad The Global Cold War: Third World interventions and the making of our times (Cambridge University Press, 2007)

International relations

• C Alden and A Aron Foreign Policy Analysis: new approaches (Routledge, 2011)
• J Baylis, S Smith and P Owens (eds) The Globalization of World Politics: an introduction to international relations (6th edition, Oxford University Press, 2013)
• C Brown, with K Ainley Understanding International Relations (Macmillan, 2009)
• B Buzan and R Little International Systems in World History: remaking the study of international relations (Oxford University Press, 2000)
• R Jackson and G Sorensen An Introduction to International Relations: theories and approaches (5th edition, Oxford University Press, 2012)
• R Shilliam International Relations and Non-Western Thought: imperialism, colonialism and investigations of global modernity (Routledge, 2010)
• J Steans Gender & International Relations (Polity Press, 2013)
• T G Weiss and R Wilkinson (eds) International Organization and Global Governance (Routledge, 2014)
• J Young and J Kent International Relations since 1945: a global history (2nd ed, Oxford University Press, 2013)

Your first year involves two compulsory courses and two options (chosen from history, international relations, language courses and options from outside the departments). Additionally, you’ll take LSE100.

You'll take two international relations options from a choice of four, and two history options.

In the third year, you’ll take:

• a further course from the second-year list of options
• courses from international relations (totalling one unit)
• one international history option
• an additional option of your choice or a dissertation.

History is a wide ranging and challenging subject to study. It seeks to understand the past and to make sense of the present, adding an important dimension to the understanding of many aspects of human society. The department is world renowned in its field, offering a unique perspective on the history of relations between states, peoples and cultures. We pride ourselves on giving students the benefit of ground-breaking research throughout our teaching programmes.

Our degrees will give you a broad international perspective on the past. We give attention both to domestic and international issues and many of the courses we offer deal with major events in the history of international relations.

Since the behaviour of countries in the international arena cannot be understood without a knowledge of their distinct social, political, economic and cultural characteristics, we provide courses covering major aspects of the history of ideas and mentalities.

LSE was founded in 1895 originally as an institute of higher education for graduate students. The department reflects this tradition and takes its responsibility for undergraduate teaching and supervision very seriously. We admit nearly as many undergraduate students as master's students. We have one of the most cosmopolitan undergraduate communities in London and one of the most vibrant and dynamic.

Learn more about our programmes, research, public events and people.

Department of International History

Who's who

Tim Hochstrasser

Programme Director

We consider each application carefully, taking into account all the details you’ve included on your UCAS form, such as:

• academic achievement, including predicted and achieved grades (also see specific information about this programme in the "entry requirements" above)
• subjects and subject combinations (also see specific information about this programme in the "entry requirements" above)
• your personal statement (new guidance for students applying for 2026/27)
• your teacher’s reference
• educational circumstances

You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency, although this is not needed at the application stage. See our English language requirements page.

We’re looking for students who demonstrate:

• an equal interest in history and international relations (international society, its institutions, governance, rules and relationships)
• a willingness to read extensively
• intellectual curiosity
• an ability to evaluate and challenge conventional views
• great communication skills
• initiative and enthusiasm
• attention to detail
• self-motivation and a willingness to work hard.

The 2026/27 tuition fee for home students hasn't yet been set. As a guide, the 2025/26 fee for home students is £9,535 per year. The home student undergraduate fee may rise in line with inflation in subsequent years.

The 2026/27 tuition fee for overseas students is currently under review and will be set in Summer 2025. As a guide, the 2025/26 fee for overseas students is £27,500 per year.

The overseas student undergraduate fee may rise in line with inflation in subsequent years. Once announced, the overseas tuition fee will remain at the same amount for each subsequent year of your full-time study regardless of the length of your programme. This information applies to new overseas undergraduate entrants starting their studies from 2026 onwards.

Formative coursework

All taught courses include formative coursework, which is not assessed. This helps prepare you for summative assessment. We use a wide range of formative assessment methods, such as essays, case studies, reports, quizzes and mock exams.

Feedback on coursework is an essential part of the learning experience. Class teachers mark formative coursework and feedback is normally given within two weeks – provided the work is submitted on time.

Some history courses include written assessments and many include continuous summative assessment.

Summative assessment

This assessment counts towards your final course mark and degree award.

You’ll receive feedback on any summative coursework as part of the assessment for individual courses (except for final submitted dissertations). Feedback will normally be provided before the examination period.

Assessment on individual courses can change from year to year. Read about the current formative coursework and summative assessment for each course in the relevant course guide.

Find out more about LSE’s teaching and assessment methods.

Through studying history you will learn how to analyse complex evidence from a variety of sources, to develop your analytical powers and to present your findings effectively. These skills and a broad knowledge of the development of the world around us are valued by many employers.

Past students have followed a range of careers in politics, journalism, media and publishing, advertising, marketing, and public relations, public administration, the foreign service, industry, the charity and development sector, finance, consulting and the legal profession, as well as in research, teaching, libraries and archives.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

We're committed to supporting students' options after graduation in the world of work or futher studies by organising a careers programme tailored specifically to International History students with the help of LSE Careers. Also, many leading organisations give careers presentations at the School during the year, and LSE Careers has a wide range of resources available to assist students in their job search.

Find out more about the support available to students through LSE Careers.