Study world order: from conflict to co-operation
Gain a deeper understanding of the world order and get to grips with the rapidly shifting global landscape. Connect and collaborate in virtual discussion groups as you apply international relations theories to areas such as security, politics, trade and diplomacy.
Ready to study international relations? Apply and enrol by 31 May 2026 to save £150 on your course fee (terms and conditions apply).
Why choose this course with us?
- Learn at Cambridge, whatever your experience: this is an open-entry course
- Access Cambridge teaching in a flexible format: part-time and online
- Gain a credited, Cambridge award: boost your learning and career opportunities
- Join our peer-learning and Cambridge alumni communities: connection and support, for life
Course Dates
Course details
Tutors
Course overview
Course information
Course highlights
During this part-time online certificate course, you will:
- engage in an introduction to the study of international relations
- explore current events and global issues
- develop key study and writing skills
In this Introductory course, we will start by examining a number of international relations theories and the role of global institutions, then look specifically at conflict and security threats, including the role of climate change. Zooming in on specific regions, we’ll examine particular tensions and power structures.
As part of our learning community, you will:
- find out how and why the international system operates as it does
- examine the roles that international institutions and the rules of war play in shaping the international order and relationships between states
- look critically at enduring issues of inter-state conflict, proxy wars and terrorism
- consider newer challenges to the state, such as technology, social media and climate change.
Course breakdown
The course will run from 9 October 2026 to 9 June 2027.
Each of the 3 units explores a number of topics through asynchronous (pre-recorded) lectures and live teaching. Live teaching sessions vary in length but are typically 1 to 2 hours in duration and are usually on a Wednesday in the late afternoon or early evening.
Exact teaching dates and times will be confirmed in the course guide upon enrolment.
Michaelmas term: An Introduction to International Relations
- Unit 1 start date: 9 October 2026
- Unit 1 end date: 6 January 2027
How did the state system evolve and why is the state system the central entity within the international arena? This unit will introduce the core theories used to interpret state action and inter-state relationships considering the issues of power and the balance of power across the world. It will trace how international institutions and the legal system underpinning it came into being, including the current challenges they face today. The unit will include an overview of political economy and assess the role of trade and alliances as forms of cooperation counterbalancing processes of conflict.
Lent term: International Institutions and Conflict in International Relations
- Unit 2 start date: week commencing 4 January 2027
- Unit 2 end date: 24 March 2027
What is security and how is it to be understood? By analysing the role of war and peace in shaping the world’s systems and relationships, we will look at how the mechanisms designed to contain war actually function. The unit will also examine the pressures within the international order, both conventional understandings of security and newly emergent threats such as hybrid war, failed states, AI and cyberwar, and environmental insecurity, to highlight the contemporary challenges faced by international institutions and regional alliances. The unit will also explore concepts of identity, gender and religion in international relations theory to better understand the growing complexity of today’s global relationships.
Easter term: International Relations: A focus on regional politics
- Unit 3 start date: week commencing 29 March 2027
- Unit 3 end date: 9 June 2027
The unit introduces regional considerations and alliance structures including the case of Europe - its development and potential challenges and its relations with Russia (a resurgent state contributing to the new multipolar nature of international relations). The unit then considers, in turn, the US as both a political and economic superpower, the Global South (India and the Middle East) as well as, Africa and Latin America, before focusing on the rising power of China as a regional force and as a driver of the global Belt and Road strategy. The different modern histories, colonial experiences, roles and political identity of each regional grouping will be considered, as well as how the balance of power among them may develop in the future.
After the course
A Diploma in International Relations is available for those who would like to continue their studies.
Entry requirements
There are no formal academic entry requirements for this course. It’s open to all learners who are interested in the subject.
English Language Requirements
Our courses are taught in English and require a good level of fluency. If English is not your first language, you’ll need to meet the requirements of one of the language proficiency tests below. You’ll need to complete your test and submit the results to our admissions team by 15 September 2026.
IELTS (Academic), IELTS for UKVI Academic, IELTS One Skill Retake
Overall score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in any component.
TOEFL iBT or TOEFL Home Edition
https://www.ets.org/toefl.html
Overall score of 92, with no element below 20.
(Please note that changes to TOEFL Internet Based Test and Home Edition mean that it will no longer be suitable for entry to Cambridge at Undergraduate level from 21 January 2026. Tests taken after this date will not be accepted.)
Cambridge English C2 Proficiency
https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests/proficiency/
Overall score of 176, with no element lower than 169.
As part of our open and inclusive learning environment, you can enjoy the world-class resources and expertise of the University of Cambridge wherever you are on your academic journey.
Our video-based teaching platforms offer a flexible way to access lectures, while our Virtual Learning Environment makes it easy to study and learn online and interact with your tutor and fellow students.
Our teaching methods include lectures and seminars, presentations by guest speakers and facilitators, and interactive and experiential learning activities. We will also give you reading and assignments to complete outside of classroom sessions.
You will demonstrate your learning using a range of assignments submitted during and at the end of each unit. There are more details about how this course is assessed in the course guide we will send you once you have enrolled.
Qualifications
This course is equivalent to half of the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree. It offers 60 CATS credits, which are recognised by higher education institutions and employers.
Hours of study
The award of academic credit is a means of quantifying and recognising learning and within the UK, one credit notionally represents 10 hours of learning. This course attracts 60 credits, so students should expect to need to study for approximately 600 hours in total to complete all units successfully. However, it is recognised that students study at different paces and use a variety of approaches, so this is a recommendation, rather than a hard-and-fast calculation.
SEEC Credit Level Descriptors for Higher Education (2021) here.
Fees
The total fee for this course is shown above in 'Course details'.
To help you manage your finances more comfortably, you can pay the fee in instalments. For more information on payment options, and how to secure your place, see how to pay.
Funding
We're dedicated to reducing and removing financial barriers to learning. Visit financial support before applying to find out what options may be available to help you in your studies. You can explore external funding and stay up to date on our concessions and bursaries.
Undergraduate early enrolment offer
Want to learn for less? Apply and enrol by 31 May 2026 and you'll save £150 on your course fee. Terms and conditions apply.
We're committed to supporting you in your learning journey, and we offer a variety of support opportunities to meet individual needs. Visit student support to find out more about how we can help.
