MSc International Relations draft

Program Overview

The course will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the forces shaping global politics and state and inter-state relations. It will also give you an appreciation of the context of international relations in terms of global inequalities, power and environmental risks.

Our students come to us from all over the world, so you will be working in an international environment. The course will equip you with the skills and knowledge you need for a career working in a global body, government department or organisation dealing with international policy.

You will also be encouraged to improve your research skills and learn how to take an active part in international and academic conferences and debates.

This course offers a unique combination of critical thinking in relation to international relations and the study of global environmental politics. We were the first university to offer this special focus on the environment, which has become a central issue of global relations.

Program Outline

We consistently review and develop our courses and modules to ensure they are up-to-date with sector and industry graduate skills demands. Course structure, modules and options are subject to change.

You will study three core modules leading up to a dissertation of 15,000 words.

The first module focuses on the Critical Theories of International Relations and then you will look in detail at Global Environmental Politics - one of the key issues and potential crises facing the international community in the 21st century.

These modules have been much enjoyed by students on the course and described by external examiners as "cutting edge" in their content.

The third module will give you experience of Qualitative Research Methods, equipping for your research project. For this you can choose a subject linked to your previous professional interest or a completely different area for analysis.

There are also optional modules to choose from, including Conflict, Displacement and Human Security, International Human Rights, Law and Policy in the Middle East and an Introduction to Forced Migration.

Our academic team are actively involved in shaping the global debate on many of these issues and will guide you through the modules with creative learning methods, feedback and advice.

Our students are not only from diverse countries and backgrounds but they also have a wide age range. Some have already worked in international bodies while others are coming to the issues for the first time.

Whatever your age or background, we encourage you to become part of our research community during your time on the course.  We also give students the confidence to increase their publication profile. One of our current students, for example, has written a book review during the course that was published in an international journal.

In addition to traditional teaching methods of lectures and seminars, we also organise special mini-conferences where students present their work to their fellow students and academics and chair panel discussions.

The day-long conferences provide opportunities to answer probing questions about your work and to quiz others on their findings.

This kind of specialist training is designed to enhance your confidence and communication skills when taking part in international conferences and events and in presenting your ideas in a public environment.

The conferences are also a creative way of broadening your knowledge and providing you with inspiration and ideas for research.

You'll be assessed through a wide range of marked coursework, including essays, project work, oral presentations, critical readings, annotated bibliographies, publicity briefings, and independent research reports.  You'll also undertake a dissertation in which you'll carry out a piece of research in an area of your choice.