If you want to understand global issues and how countries interact, an international relations program is a great place to start. These programs help you explore diplomacy, international law, global development, and government while building essential skills.
You’ll learn from experts, join real-world discussions, and collaborate with peers who share your interest in international affairs. Through these experiences, you’ll develop critical thinking, negotiation, cross-cultural communication, and policy analysis skills. These skills will support your academic work and prepare you for leadership roles in global affairs.
Here’s a list of 10 online international relations programs for high school students!
10 Online International Relations Programs for High School Students
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)-International Relations Track
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Spring: February 16; Summer: February 16 (early), March 23 (priority), April 20 (regular-I), and May 18 (regular-II)!
Program Dates: Spring: March 3; Summer: June 16! Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research.
The International Relations track of the program helps you explore why wars start and how peace is maintained. You’ll learn how the international system shapes state decisions and affects people worldwide. The program covers key theories, patterns, and frameworks in international relations. It also examines current issues like global governance, state failure, and competition between major powers.
As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program-International Relations Track
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The Spring Cohort application deadline is February 9!
Program Dates: Summer: June – August, fall: September – December, winter: December – February, spring: March – June.
Eligibility: High school students with a 3.3+ GPA can apply; no prior knowledge is needed
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler.
The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as international relations, psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more.
Previous research topics have explored global relationships and political trends. Some have analyzed US-Turkey relations and inflation, while others have compared how transnational corporations are held accountable. Researchers have also investigated political attitudes that contribute to democratic backsliding. You can find more details about the application here.
3. Summer@Brown – Political Science Courses
Location: Brown University, Providence, RI (in-person), virtual, or hybrid.
Cost: $2,816 to $9,870, depending on course format and duration. Limited financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: May 10 (tentative, based on previous years)
Program Dates: 1–5 week sessions, between June and July (based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12, aged 14–18 by the program’s start date.
Brown University’s Summer@Brown program lets high school students explore international relations through courses on conflict, leadership, social justice, and global governance. Topics include Conflict Transformation, Leadership and Civic Engagement, and International Relations of Russia, China, and Europe. These courses help you understand political systems and their impact on society.
The program includes three hours of daily class sessions and three hours of independent or group study. You’ll gain insights into political science and earn a certificate of completion. The program is offered in person at Brown University in Providence, RI, as well as online or in a hybrid format.
4. Pasquines Internship
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: No cost; unpaid
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: Ongoing (internships available for indefinite periods)
Eligibility: All high school students are eligible
The Pasquines internship gives high school students hands-on experience in policy, politics, and journalism while focusing on U.S. territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, and American Samoa. As a volunteer-driven nonprofit, Pasquines amplifies the voices of these often-overlooked regions in national policy discussions.
If you’re interested in international relations, this internship offers insight into the political challenges of territories that shape the broader U.S. political landscape. You’ll strengthen your research, writing, and reporting skills by covering key regional issues and collaborating with peers to analyze systemic and political obstacles.
5. Foreign Policy Research Institute Internships
Location: Remote, In-person (Philadelphia, PA)
Application Deadline: February 23
Program Dates: Spring (February–May), Summer (June–August), Fall (September–December)
Eligibility: High school students authorized to work in the U.S.
Cost: Free; 10 paid internship spots available
The Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) gives high school students hands-on experience in international relations. You’ll work with experts to build skills in communication, teamwork, and time management. The program includes seminars on foreign policy, career development workshops, and opportunities to engage with FPRI events.
You can choose from tracks like research, special events, and development, communications, or operations, allowing you to tailor the experience to your interests. Whether assisting with research or helping organize events, you’ll gain real-world exposure to foreign policy and professional work environments.
6. Harvard Summer School
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: December 2 to February 12 for Summer
Program Dates: June 21 – August 9
Eligibility: Open to high school students
Cost: $4,050 for 4 credits, $7,900 for 8 credits; need-based financial aid available
Harvard’s Summer School Program (SSP) Online offers high school students the opportunity to take college-level courses, earning 4 to 8 credits in subjects like international relations, leadership politics, and economics. Through this program, you will deepen your knowledge of political science while receiving an official Harvard transcript.
In the international relations courses, you will explore topics such as global conflict and cooperation, the impact of international political institutions, and the dynamics of foreign policy. These courses aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of how countries interact, the role of international organizations, and the factors that influence global diplomacy.
7. LSE: Business, International Relations and the Political Economy
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: Both free and paid options available
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: Flexible schedule
Eligibility: Open to high school students.
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) offers the “Business, International Relations, and the Political Economy” program, designed for decision-makers such as CEOs, C-suite executives, managers, finance professionals, entrepreneurs, advisors, and policymakers.
The course focuses on core concepts for understanding globalization and global change, drawing from disciplines like international relations, political science, political economy, and macroeconomics. It addresses real-world problems using historical reflection, conceptual discussion, and in-depth case studies. You will explore key events that have shaped the evolution of globalization from the 19th century to today.
8. University of London: Global Diplomacy – Diplomacy in the Modern World
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: Both free and paid options available
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: Flexible schedule
Eligibility: All high school students can apply!
The “Global Diplomacy – Diplomacy in the Modern World” course offers a comprehensive introduction to the fields of diplomacy and international studies. Drawing on cutting-edge research and the instructor’s experience with successful online learning, this course provides an in-depth exploration of key concepts and practices in global diplomacy.
Throughout the course, you will engage with topics such as the nature and development of global diplomacy, changes in diplomatic practices and procedures, and the relationship of those changes to contemporary politics. The course is structured into six modules, each focusing on different aspects of diplomacy, including the qualities of a ‘good’ diplomat and the practical application of diplomacy in various contexts.
9. Oxbright’s International Relations, Politics & Debate Course
Location: Online
Application Deadlines: Rolling basis
Program Dates: Two weeks
Eligibility: Ages 15-18
Cost: $995
Oxbright’s International Relations, Politics & Debate Course offers high school students the chance to explore global issues. You’ll study movements like Black Lives Matter and events such as coups and revolutions, focusing on their impact on international relations.
The course will deepen your understanding of political systems and key international organizations. You’ll also take part in a Model United Nations challenge, gaining hands-on experience in diplomacy and public speaking. Upon completion, you’ll receive a Certificate of Achievement and a personalized Letter of Recommendation.
10. HarvardX: Religion, Conflict, and Peace
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: Both free and paid options available
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: Flexible schedule. 6 weeks
Eligibility: All high school students can apply!
HarvardX: Religion, Conflict, and Peace explores the role of religion in contemporary international conflicts. You will examine how religious ideologies intersect with political, economic, and cultural factors, shaping global events and influencing international relations.
The course also looks at the broader societal impacts of these conflicts, including effects on public health, education, and commerce. For students interested in international relations, it provides essential insights into how religion influences diplomacy, conflict resolution, and global policy-making.
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