History and International Relations

History and international relations is a pairing that makes deep intellectual sense. International relations cannot be understood without the historical context that explains how the current world order came to be, and history gains clarity and purpose when informed by the theoretical frameworks that international relations provides for understanding power, conflict, diplomacy, and governance. At the University of Dundee, the MA History and International Relations is a four-year full-time programme that includes a year abroad, giving you an international perspective that complements both subjects directly.

As the current description notes, Dundee's history teaching spans social, cultural, and political history from the early modern period to the present day, with particular strengths in British, European, American, African, and South Asian history. You will work with primary sources, engage with competing historiographical interpretations, and develop the analytical and writing skills that historical study at degree level demands. The international relations strand introduces you to the theoretical frameworks through which scholars and practitioners understand how states interact, how international institutions work, how security dilemmas arise and are managed, and how the global economy is governed.

Together, the two disciplines develop a sophisticated and historically grounded understanding of world affairs that is rare in graduates from single-subject programmes.

Graduates of history and international relations programmes are consistently attractive to employers across a range of sectors. Diplomacy, the civil service, journalism, international organisations, think tanks, policy research, international development, and the legal profession are among the most common career destinations. The year abroad deepens your understanding of different national academic and cultural perspectives, which is valuable experience in a field where cross-cultural awareness is professionally important.

Many graduates go on to postgraduate study in history, international relations, law, or area studies, and some pursue academic careers. The combination of historical rigour and international analytical framework that Dundee's programme develops provides a strong and genuinely distinctive foundation.