MA/MS in International Affairs is a master's degree in Politics & International Relations programme taught at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. The programme runs for 2 years. Tuition for international students is CAD 24,427 per year.
At a glance
Degree:Master's Degree
Field:Politics & International Relations
Duration: 2 years
International tuition: CAD 24,427 / year
Information for the 2027/28 academic year · Last reviewed September 2026 ·
Program details
Overview
This program leads to a Master of Arts in International Affairs, delivered in person in Ottawa over two years, through the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs. Students choose among Coursework, Research Essay, and Thesis pathways, and can focus their studies in one of four fields: International Trade and Economic Policy; Conflict, Fragility and Development; Diplomacy, International Organizations and Foreign Policy; or National Security, Intelligence and Defence. Collaborative specializations are also available in African Studies, Climate Change, Cybersecurity, Data Science, and Latin American and Caribbean Studies. Co-op and internship opportunities are offered alongside coursework. Admission is for the Fall term only, with offers made on a rolling basis. The program is interdisciplinary, drawing on international relations theory, policy analysis, economics, and law, and it suits students from varied undergraduate backgrounds, including political science, law, and economics, who are aiming for careers or further study in international policy, diplomacy, security, or development.
Requirements
Minimum GPA:77.00 / %
Admission Requirements: Carleton's Norman Paterson School of International Affairs normally requires a four-year undergraduate degree or equivalent with at least high honours standing, a B+ average or 77% minimum GPA, for its MA in International Affairs. Applicants from outside political science, law or economics may need preparatory coursework, and all admitted students must complete first-year introductory microeconomics and macroeconomics (e.g. ECON 1001 and ECON 1002 or equivalents) with a minimum grade of B- before starting. Applications require a Statement of Intent, transcripts, two Referee Appraisal Forms, and a resume/CV. Non-native English speakers must demonstrate proficiency per Carleton's Graduate Studies Regulation 3.6, unless exempt by holding their most recent degree from a Canadian institution. The program admits for Fall entry only, with rolling admission until it fills; Fall 2026 applications close April 30, 2026.
Application Details
Start Date:September
Application Deadline:Domestic applicants apply through OUAC, which opens in September 2026; Ontario secondary-school students should apply by January 15, 2027, and the general Fall 2027 deadline for other domestic (Canada/US-transcript) applicants is June 1, 2027, while Winter 2027 term applications close November 15, 2026. International applicants (transcripts from outside Canada/US) apply directly through Carleton360, also opening September 2026, with an October 15, 2026 deadline for January 2027 entry and an April 1, 2027 main deadline for Fall 2027 entry; some programs, including Architectural Studies and Industrial Design, close March 1, 2027 with a March 5, 2027 portfolio deadline. Admission is not described as rolling. These are institution-wide dates; this programme publishes no deadline of its own.
