Studying International Relations and Political Science Across Asia

What these degrees are — an academic subject

International Relations (IR) and Political Science are academic disciplines that study how governments, institutions and societies are organised and how states and organisations interact. This guide describes the degrees and how to get into them — nothing more. It does not comment on any government, policy, election, border, or current event, and it takes no political position on any country in the region.

Across Asian universities you will find these subjects offered as standalone majors, as joint degrees, and within broader social-science faculties. Programme names vary — political science, government, public policy studies, international studies — so read the curriculum, not just the title, to see what a degree actually covers.

Where the subject sits inside a university

One practical quirk of this field is that the same subject lives in very different places depending on the university, and that changes what you study alongside it. At the National University of Singapore it is a standalone Department of Political Science whose listed subfields span political theory, comparative politics, international relations, and governance and public policy. At the University of Tokyo, politics is taught through the Faculty of Law and its Graduate Schools for Law and Politics — so you look for it inside a law faculty rather than a separate department. At the University of Hong Kong it is the Department of Politics and Public Administration, pairing the academic subject with public-administration training.

The lesson is to search by department as well as by degree name. If you only search for "international relations", you can miss a programme that is filed under law, government, or public administration.

• NUS — a standalone Department of Political Science with named subfields
• University of Tokyo — politics via the Faculty of Law / Graduate Schools for Law and Politics
• HKU — a combined Department of Politics and Public Administration
• Search by department, not only by the words "international relations"

English-taught options and programme structure

Degrees typically run from a bachelor's (BA or BSc) through taught master's programmes, and some departments offer research master's and PhD routes. Where the university teaches in English, the whole degree is usually available in English; elsewhere, the flagship undergraduate degree follows the national language while selected international or postgraduate tracks are delivered in English.

Structure varies too: some BA programmes are broad and let you combine politics with economics, history or a language; others specialise from year one. Always confirm the specific programme's language of instruction and module list on the official department site.

Entry requirements

At undergraduate level, admission usually rests on your school-leaving qualification (or an accepted equivalent), with an English test such as IELTS or TOEFL where teaching is in English. A standardised admission test is not typically part of undergraduate entry for this subject, though some universities add a written statement or an interview.

At master's level, expect a relevant bachelor's degree, a statement of purpose and references; a standardised test is occasionally required. Where the programme lives inside a law faculty or a politics-and-public-administration department, its prerequisites may reflect that home — another reason to read the specific department's rules. Cut-offs, tuition and deadlines differ by university and change over time, so verify each on the official admissions page.

Where the field can lead — kept neutral

Graduates spread widely. Common directions include analysis and briefing work, journalism and media, international and multilateral organisations, the development sector, and business functions that need someone who can read regulation and institutions. Many students treat the degree as a foundation for a professional master's such as an MPP or MPA, or continue into academic study.

Outcomes depend on your skills, experience and market conditions — no programme can promise a particular job, salary or placement. Treat any such promise with caution.