MA International Relations and Mathematics
About this course
International relations and mathematics is an unusual combination that brings together qualitative analytical thinking about global affairs with the rigorous quantitative toolkit of mathematics. International relations explores the origins of war and peace, the making of foreign policy, trade regimes, international law, human rights, terrorism and the interaction of political and economic development. Mathematics develops precision, logical reasoning and the ability to model complex systems, which are skills of growing importance in a field where quantitative approaches to conflict, trade, migration and political behaviour are increasingly central. At the University of St Andrews you will study this four-year full-time programme, which includes a year abroad, giving you the opportunity to engage with international relations and mathematics in an international academic environment. St Andrews is one of Scotland's oldest and most prestigious universities, with strong research reputations in both disciplines and a genuinely international student community. You will develop both the theoretical and historical understanding of international relations and the mathematical skills in calculus, statistics, linear algebra and formal reasoning that the mathematics component demands. The year abroad adds both international perspective and the personal adaptability that employers in global-facing roles value. Entry requirements for this programme vary; no specific tariff is published. The combination of international relations and mathematics is genuinely distinctive in the graduate market. Quantitative skills are increasingly valued by think tanks, research organisations, international financial institutions and government analytical units, and graduates who can also engage substantively with international politics and policy are rare. Roles in international organisations, diplomatic services, financial analysis of geopolitical risk, defence analysis, economic modelling and academic research are all accessible paths. Postgraduate study in international relations, political science, economics, security studies or applied mathematics is a natural further step.
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