School of Social and Political Science

Politics and International Relations

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About

We’re one of the largest and most exciting subject areas in the University, home to over 600 top undergraduates and 100 international postgraduate students every year.

Programmes

Our teaching and supervision is research-led, which means that courses at all levels are delivered by scholars active in research in their respective fields.

Research

Our aim is to produce research at the highest international standards, consolidating our position as one of the leading international locations for research on subjects such as multilevel governance, European integration and global politics.

People

Find out more about our team of academic colleagues, PhD students and professional services staff who keep our department running smoothly.

News

The latest news from Politics and International Relations.

Events

The latest events from Politics and International Relations.

Contact

You can find us in the Chrystal Macmillan Building in George Square - right at the heart of the central campus. Busy all year round, George Square is also home to performers and artists during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August.
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Edited from PIR: Comparative European Politics

Comparative European Politics (CEP) arises out of a unique editorial partnership linking political scientists in Europe and North America. The journal explores challenging questions about the limitations of existing disciplinary perspectives and theoretical conventions.
image of regional and federal studies journal

Edited from PIR: Regional and Federal Studies

Regional and Federal Studies publishes research on federalism and territorial politics covering a wide variety of topics related to divided political authority and levels of government.
review of international studies journal image

Edited from PIR: Review of International Studies

Review of International Studies (RIS) publishes high-quality research that makes significant contributions to conversations about global politics, broadly defined.

poster: global-constitutionalism

Edited from PIR in partnership with Edinburgh Law School: Global Constitutionalism

Global Constitutionalism (GlobCon) offers an interdisciplinary space for addressing the foundations, limitations and contestations of the principles and norms of political order and their dynamics over time on a global scale.

Latest news

News content

Professor Ben Rosamond
03/09/2026
Politics and International Relations

Professor Ben Rosamond elected Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences

Professor Ben Rosamond has become a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, in the latest cohort of “some of the most influential voices in social science today.”
christina boswell
06/07/2026
Politics and International Relations

Campaign for Social Science appoints Professor Christina Boswell as Chair

Professor Christina Boswell has become the new Chair of the Campaign for Social Science, a leading role in promoting the importance of the social sciences.

parliamentary affairs
01/07/2026
Politics and International Relations

Devolved governments seen to favour some regions over others

People in Scotland and Wales often view governments as favouring wealthier, urban and central areas over rural and less-developed regions, a study suggests.
Former President of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalan
12/06/2026
Centre of African Studies

New award celebrates Indian students and honours former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam

The School of Social and Political Science is setting up a new annual award in the name of former President of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, to honour its Indian postgraduate students.