University College London (UCL)
International Relations of the Americas MSc
London, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
The MSc in International Relations of the Americas is designed to give students a deep understanding of political, economic, and social issues in the Western Hemisphere. It covers key themes like US foreign policy, Latin American politics, security, and development, helping students analyze the region’s complex dynamics. The program combines core concepts with regional studies, enabling learners to develop critical thinking and research skills relevant to careers in international organizations, government, and policy analysis.
Students will explore the historical and contemporary challenges faced by countries in the Americas, examining topics such as democracy, human rights, and economic integration. The course encourages an interdisciplinary approach, incorporating politics, history, and international law to build a well-rounded perspective. Through research projects and expert-led seminars, students learn to apply theoretical knowledge practically, preparing them for roles that require regional expertise and analytical skills in international relations. The program emphasizes active engagement with real-world issues, helping students understand the region's importance on the global stage.
UCL Scholarships
There are a number of scholarships available to postgraduate students, including our UCL Masters Bursary for UK students and our UCL Global Masters Scholarship for international students. You can click the link below to search via the scholarships finder for awards that you might be eligible for. Your academic department will also be able to provide you with more information about funding.
External Scholarships
Online aggregators like Postgraduate Studentships, Scholarship Search, Postgraduate Funding and International Financial Aid and College Scholarship Search contain information on a variety of external schemes.
If you have specific circumstances or ethnic or religious background it is worth searching for scholarships/bursaries/grants that relate to those things. Some schemes are very specific.
Funding for disabled students
Master's students who have a disability may be able to get extra funding for additional costs they incur to study.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of seminars, lectures, presentations, independent reading and research.
Assessment is through written assignments including essays and primary source analysis, presentations, podcasts, policy briefs and a dissertation.
Contact time takes various forms:
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Dissertation supervision
- Assessment feedback sessions
The credit value of the module indicates the total learning hours you will spend to achieve its learning outcomes. One credit is often equated to 10 hours of notional learning, which includes all contact time, self-directed study, and assessment.
For full-time students, typical contact hours are around 7- 8-hours of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials per teaching week per module. Outside of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials, full-time students typically study the equivalent of a full-time job, using their remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments.
In term three and the summer period students will be completing their own dissertation research, keeping regular contact with their dissertation supervisors.
Modules
Full-time
To ensure study of the entire Americas regions, you will take two compulsory modules in subjects such as International Politics of Latin America, and Post-Cold War US Foreign Policy. This will set the foundation for the whole Master's, preparing you for further topics and for your research dissertation.
In term one, you will start a research skills module which provides guidance for undertaking the research dissertation in term three. You will be exposed to concepts of research design and research methods, thus gaining the necessary knowledge to develop your research dissertation.
In terms one and two you will select three modules of further substantive-subject options from a broader range of modules. These modules further develop key concepts learnt in the compulsory modules, in addition to adding new topics. During term two, you will also prepare your research project proposal, giving continuity to activities in your research skills module.
In term three, you will fully develop your research dissertation in consultation with a specifically designated dissertation supervisor. Many of our Master's students undertake fieldwork in order to carry out research for their dissertation projects.
Part-time
Part-time students will split the taught modules between year 1 and year 2. The core modules will be taken in year 1, the research skills module is usually taken in year 1, the dissertation is taken in year 2.
All part-time students must complete a minimum of 60 credits in their first year. These include any core modules that need to be taken in year 1.
Compulsory modules
- The International Politics of Latin America
- Dissertation
- Post-Cold War US Foreign Policy
- Researching the Americas
Optional modules
- Politics, Society and Development in the Modern Caribbean
- The Caribbean from the Haitian Revolution to the Cuban Revolution
- The Politics of Human Rights in Latin America: Challenges to Democratization
- Latin American Economics
- Histories of Exclusion: Race and Ethnicity in Latin America
- From the New South to the Modern South: The (Re)Making of an American Region
- The Latin American City: Social Problems and Social Change in Urban Space
- Challenging the Straight State: Regulation Repression, and Resistance in US Sexual Politics
- States of Exception: US State-building through its Exceptional Geographies
- The Making of the Modern U.S. Presidency
- The United States at War: Decolonial Perspectives, 1898-present
- International Development: Theory, Policy, and Practice
- Environment and Development in Latin America: Revisiting the Open Veins
- Politics of US Foreign Policy
- Gender, Politics, and Public Policy in Latin America
- (In)Security in the Americas: Transnational Challenges
- Environment and Science in the Making of Modern Latin America
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in International Relations of the Americas.
Fieldwork
Many of our Master's students undertake fieldwork in order to carry out research for their dissertation projects.
What this course will give you
The UCL Institute of the Americas offers the largest teaching portfolio for the study of Canada, the Caribbean, Latin America and the United States in the UK. Being multidisciplinary, you will be taught by leading experts on social sciences and modern history all under one roof.
Students in the Institute benefit from teaching by world-leading scholars at the cutting edge of research that was ranked 1st in Area Studies and Impact in the REF 2021.
The Institute actively maintains and builds ties with cultural, diplomatic and business organisations with interests in the Americas, and provides resources to the wider academic community, serving and strengthening national networks of North Americanist, Latin Americanist and Caribbeanist scholars.
The foundation of your career
Upon completing this degree, you will have skills well-suited for jobs in sectors such as:
- Policy and governments.
- NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations).
- Business and financial services.
- Media and journalism.
- Academia and education.
Employability
Graduates will have acquired transferable skills attractive to employers in a wide range of businesses and sectors:
- Theoretical and critical analysis.
- Writing and communication skills
- Time management
You will also learn to solve problems and issues and to build positive working relationships.
Networking
The institute runs seminar series and events with invited speakers from academia, government, and NGOs. They also host career talks with returning alumni from different organisations and professions.
Our central London location gives students access to networking activities and events across the capital. You will be able to attend events in the high commissions and embassies of the Americas in London.
Finally, UCL student union societies can also further develop your interests and experiences. You may wish to consider joining:
- Mexican Society.
- Women and Politics Society.
- African Caribbean Society.
- Diplomacy Society.
- Government and Politics Society.