Best Universities For International Relations And Diplomacy

America has always been a fortune for the students seeking quality education in any department or field. America is among the top destinations for students interested in different courses of International Relations (IR) and diplomacy. There are several Top-ranked Universities and Colleges in the USA that offer both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees for students interested in studying IR and Diplomacy.

What are International Relations (IR) and Diplomacy?

International relation (IR) is a subject of study which involves the interaction of national states and non-government organizations in different disciplines such as economics, politics, and security. It also involves the study of the changing character of state and non-state actors who participate in international decision-making and other policies. 

Diplomacy is a subset of international relations or international affairs that is specifically and more narrowly focused around the process of negotiation and conduction between the representatives of different nations around the world or in some cases, organizations and corporations from different nations. 

Top Universities in the USA for International Relations and Diplomacy

According to the QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) and THE (Times Higher Education) rankings for the top universities and colleges in the USA for International Relations (IR) and Diplomacy courses, the following Universities offer the best courses in the relevant department:

1. Harvard University

Harvard University is the oldest university in the US, built-in 1636. It is considered among the most prestigious institutes in the world with a wide range of disciplines. It is named after its first benefactor, John Harvard who donated his library and half of his estate to the institution when he died. It has over 360,000 alumni around the world of which more than 271,000 are in the US. This university is practicing excellence in teaching, learning, and research to develop top leaders around the world.

Course: M.A International Relations (IR)

Duration: 1 year (12 months)

Tuition fee: 29,459 EUR/Year

Requirements:

• GPA=3
• IELTS=7
• PTE=70
• TOEFL=100

2. Princeton University

Princeton University is among the oldest universities in the US where several renowned personalities graduated. This institute is also considered among the world’s most illustrious institutions for higher education. It was founded in 1746 and was named the College of New Jersey. It was officially renamed in 1896 as Princeton University. It has the honor of being the Institution of graduation for two US presidents and several other famous personalities.

Course: Master in Public Affairs

Disciplines: International Relations, Public Relations

Duration: 2 Years (24 months)

Tuition fee: 45,359 EUR/Year

Requirements:

• IELTS = 8
• GRE = Required

3. Yale University

This prestigious University was founded back in 1701. Yale University is dedicated to expand and share knowledge with its students. It has played a major role in sharing innovation, cultural preservation, and scientific information with the world. It has the honor of being the first university in the US to award a Ph.D. degree back in 1861. It is also the second richest institution in the world.  

Course:

It offers two courses involving International Relations and Diplomacy that are given as:

i) M.A/MPh in International and Development Economics and Public Health

Disciplines: Economics, International Relations, Public Health

Duration: 2 and a half years (30 months)

Tuition fee: 38,886 EUR/Year

Requirement:

• IELTS = 7
• TOEFL = 100

ii) M.A International and Development Economics

Disciplines: Economics, International Business

Duration: 1 Year (12 months)

Tuition fee: 37,455 EUR/Year

Requirements:

• IELTS = 7
• TOEFL = 100

4. Stanford University

Stanford University is located in the heart of Silicon Valley and was founded in 1885 by Jane and Leland Stanford. This university has the honor of being the Institute where several famous personalities graduated. These include the founder of Google, Nike, Netflix, Sun Microsystems, Hewlett-Packard, Instagram, and Charles Schwab.

Course: International Legal Studies

Disciplines: International Relations, International Law

Duration: 2 Years

Tuition fee: 27,082 EUR/Year

Requirements:

• Application for admission
• TOEFL Score report
• Application fee
• Personal statement
• Two letters of recommendations
• Official transcripts
• Research proposal 

5. University of California, Berkeley (UCB)

University of California, Berkeley is a public research university that was built in 1868. It is also considered one of the most illustrious research institutes in the US. It has produced several famous personalities and scientists. It offers the following short course for International affairs and Diplomacy:

Course (Short): International Relations and International Laws

Duration: 6 Weeks

Tuition fee: 1853/Full

Requirements:

• IELTS = 6.5
• TOEFL = 80

6. Columbia University

Columbia University is a world-famous institute for being a center for research and a distinguished learning environment. It also produced several scholars and professionals in various fields and departments.

Course: M.I.A International Affairs

Duration: 1 year, 9 months

Tuition fee: 29,469 EUR/Year

Requirements:

• IELTS = 7
• TOEFL = 100

7. New York University

New York University, established in 1831, has been promoting quality education through its 19 schools and several disciplines. It has promoted several scholars and professionals of the modern world. 

Course: Masters: International Development Policy and Management with International Relations   

Duration: 2 Years (24 Months)

Tuition fee: 46, 393 EUR/Year

Requirements:

• IELTS = 7
• TOEFL = 100

8. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) was established as an independent, private research institute situated in Cambridge, Massachusetts back in 1861. This institute has the honor of winning hundreds of International and national level awards in different disciplines.  

Course: Master International Development Group

Duration: 1 Year (12 Months)

Tuition fee: 45,020/Year

Requirements:

IELTS = 7

TOEFL = 90

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9. University of California, San Diego (UCSD)

University of California, San Diego is a public research institution located in San Diego, California is among the leading research institutes in the world. Among the 10-campus family of the University of California, this institute is well-known for its faculty and a wide range of graduates and undergraduates programs for different disciplines.

Course: M.A International Affairs

Duration: 2 years

Tuition fee: 19,937 EUR/Year

Requirements:

• GPA = 3
• GRE = Required
• GMAT = Required
• IELTS = 7
• PTE Academics = 65
• TOEFL = 90

10. University of Chicago

This urban research institute was built back in 1890 and since then has been playing an important role in devising new ways of thinking. This university is home to some of the esteemed academic programs in the field of sociology.

Course: M.A Public Policy and International Relations

Duration: 1 Year (12 Months)

Tuition fee: 45,255 EUR/Year

Requirements:

• Online Graduate Application
• Resume
• Short Essays
• Motivation Statement
• Transcripts 
• Three(3) letters of recommendations 
• GRE Scores

11. American University Washington DC

This world-class institute was built to provide a global outlook, passion for public service, and practical approach. It has produced the most politically active students as well as students involved in international relations.

Course: M.A International Relations

Duration: 1 Year (12 months)

Tuition fee: 60,511 EUR/Year

Requirements:

IELTS = 7

PTE Academic = 68 

TOEFL = 100

12. Northeastern University

Northeastern University was founded in 1898 as a private research institute with its main campus in Boston. It offers several graduate and undergraduate programs. It also has the honor of producing several famous scholars and personalities.  

Course:

i) M.Sc. Global Studies and International Relations

Duration: 1 Year (12 Months)

Tuition fee: 31,311 EUR/Year 

Requirements:

IELTS = 6.5

TOEFL = 79

PTE Academic = 53 

ii) M.A International Affairs

Duration: 1 Year (12 Months)

Tuition fee: 31,564 EUR/Year

Requirements:

• Application
• Application fee – $75.00
• Resume
• Personal Statement
• English proficiency for international applicants
• Standardized test scores are not required