Whether you aspire to be a diplomat, wish to understand news from overseas, or are interested in how nations engage with each other, international relations is a subject that opens the world. You can now begin learning from anywhere using quality online courses from leading institutions and providers. What follows are 10 top choices, each with its own take on international relations theory, history, and practice through a range of compelling and accessible online learning experiences.
1. Global Diplomacy – Diplomacy in the Modern World (University of London, Coursera)
Duration: 4–6 weeks (approx. 2–3 hours/week, self-paced)
This course is a complete introduction to diplomacy- the art and science of diplomacy in the 21st century. You will learn about how diplomacy has changed over time, the skills involved in negotiating and mediating international issues, as well as looking at how diplomacy works behind the scenes to manage conflict and build international cooperation. It includes video presentations, case studies, and interviews with and samples of experienced diplomats, and will give you a practical understanding of how diplomacy plays out on a global stage and affects our lives today.
Best for: Beginners and anyone wanting to learn more about foreign policy, international organizations or careers in diplomacy.
2. International Relations Theories (Udemy)
Duration: 2–3 hours of video content (self-paced)
Explore the theoretical underpinnings of international relations in this theory-intensive course. You'll study realism, liberalism, constructivism, feminism, and other principal schools of thought, and how each explains global events differently. The course applies contemporary examples and historical case studies to understand why nations behave as they do—and how theory informs policy practice. Quizzes and assignments enable you to practice what you learn.
Best for: College and high school students, and anyone looking to establish a firm theoretical foundation in IR.
3. Introduction to International Relations (Udemy)
Duration: 3–4 hours of video content (self-paced)
Perfect for total novices to the discipline, this course covers the basics: the history of international relations, the nature of the state system, sovereignty, causes of war and peace, and the "Great Debates" that have shaped the discipline of International Relations. Included in each lesson are handouts and specific examples from the real-world that illustrate the concepts from the lecture, facilitating comprehension for students. By the end of this course, you will have a much clearer idea for how the international system functions and why it is important.
Best For: high schoolers, total novices, or anyone else looking for a step-by-step structure and easy to follow overview.
4. International Relations Courses (edX)
Duration: 4–12 weeks per course (university and topic vary, self-paced)
edX offers the largest number of international relations courses by the best universities (e.g. Harvard, Georgetown, London School of Economics). You can choose from courses on international law, human rights, global security, political economy and other subjects. Most courses are self-paced and have interactions, assignments, readings, and discussion forums. Most courses provide you the flexibility of pacing, so you can focus and learn in your own style that is most interesting to you.
Best for: students who want to explore individual subjects or take courses from the best universities.
5. Power and Foreign Policy in International Relations (O.P. Jindal Global University, Coursera)
Duration: 4–5 weeks (approx. 2–3 hours/week, self-paced)
This course examines how power relationships, foreign policy choices, and security issues configure the international system. You'll discover how states achieve their interests, the purpose of global governance, and how strategic and economic factors configure world politics. Case studies of recent events and practitioner interviews enable you to connect theoretical ideas to contemporary events and policy discussions.
Best for: Any person wishing to discern the dynamics driving foreign policy and international security.
6. International Migrations: A Global Issue (Sciences Po, Coursera)
Duration: 6 weeks (approximately 2–3 hours/week, self-paced)
Migration represents one of the great questions of our time. This course will examine international migration, including its causes and consequences. We will study economic and political drivers of migration, as well as the cultural and legal challenges faced by migrants. We will examine immigration policy and integration, and ultimately the impact of migration on societies around the world, using case studies from Europe, across the Americas, and elsewhere.
Best for: Anyone interested in migration, globalization, social change, or humanitarian issues.
7. Global Diplomacy: The United Nations in the World (University of London, Coursera)
Duration: 5–6 weeks (approx. 2–3 hours/week, self-paced)
The course will examine the role of the United Nations and how the organization fulfills its mandates to maintain peace, promote human rights, and provide humanitarian assistance. You will analyze case studies and ongoing situations of crisis mediation, negotiation, and international cooperation, and you will gain an understanding of the successes and challenges faced by the world's largest intergovernmental organization.
Best for: Students interested in the UN, NGOs, and the dynamics of international cooperation.
8. International Organizations Management (University of Geneva, Coursera)
Duration: 6 weeks (approx. 2–3 hours/week, self-paced)
Learn about the structures, decision-making processes, and mechanisms for addressing global issues in international organizations such as the UN, NATO, and the World Bank. You will examine leadership, governance, and the practical realities of working within or with international organizations. You’ll also cover the effects of international organizations on world events, the skill sets necessary for a career in international organizations, and the relationships between international organizations and each also help if you would like! other.
Best for: Aspiring leaders, NGO workers, or anybody who wants to pursue international careers and global governance.
9. International Law in Action: The Arbitration of International Disputes (Leiden University, Coursera)
Duration: 4 weeks (approx. 3–4 hours/week, self-paced)
This course tackles the legal aspect of international relations, specifically how states and organizations settle disputes through arbitration and mediation between the disputing actors. You will analyze actual legal cases, understand the norms of international law, and investigate how legal governance regulates conflict and builds peace.
Best for: Students interested in law, conflict resolution, or international justice.
10. Global Politics (Università di Napoli Federico II, Coursera)
Duration: 5 weeks (approx. 2–4 hours/week, self-paced)
This course offers a brief but well-rounded introduction to world politics, covering major theories, institutions, and issues of the modern world. Among some topics to be addressed are the nation-state system, globalization, regional organizations, and transnational problems like climate change and terrorism. Students will engage with the course material through participatory exercises and actual case study examples.
Best for: Beginners who require an introduction to political science and international relations.
All of these are online, self-directed, and available to the world. Whether you must work in global affairs or merely comprehend the news, these internet courses are an excellent starting point for your international relations quest.
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