International Relations and Humanitarian Action

Are you curious about how global crises shape communities around the world? Do you want to develop the analytical, problem-solving, and negotiation skills needed to provide effective humanitarian responses to emergencies? The world needs professionals who can think critically, act ethically, and respond decisively in times of crisis. This integrated master’s degree equips you with the political insight and humanitarian expertise to do exactly that.

Our unique programme combines world-class teaching with real-world impact. For the first three years, you will study cutting-edge international relations and politics at our award-winning Ormskirk campus, building a strong academic foundation. In your fourth year, you will advance your learning at the internationally-recognised Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), where you will specialise in addressing humanitarian emergencies and contemporary global challenges. With LSTM’s unmatched expertise in real-world humanitarian response and strong connections to United Nations agencies, NGOs, and ministries of health, this course offers an unparalleled pathway to a global career making a meaningful difference.

Throughout the course, you will develop the skills needed to thrive in a competitive professional world, while gaining a deep understanding of international politics and the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges.

You will also build a wide range of discipline-specific and transferable skills, including analysis, critical evaluation, research, ethical decision-making, and communication, through a combination of independent study and collaborative teamwork. The programme also allows you to tailor your degree to your own interests and career ambitions, combining core learning with optional modules that reflect your passions and goals.

By studying in multidisciplinary environments, you will gain the confidence to exchange ideas, collaborate across cultures, and build lasting professional networks.

By the time you graduate, you will be well prepared to pursue careers in humanitarian action, international organisations, policy, research, or further study, equipped with the knowledge, practical insight, and confidence to make a meaningful global impact.