Program Overview

Our Masters degree provides you with an advanced understanding of issues in international security since the end of the Cold War. It focuses on security in relation to issues of force and power in international relations.

The MA in International Security considers the nature of contemporary security threats and the nature and management of security threats, including security cooperation in the absence of an overarching world government. It promotes the study of those problems through theoretical, empirical and ethical inquiry, drawing on the expertise of a team of internationally renowned research-active Security Studies specialists.

You will develop an understanding of the core concepts that inform the study and practice of security, including:

• The changing meaning of security and what issues are considered to be security issues
• The different concepts that inform the study and practice of security
• The range of the security issues of the post-Cold War and post-9/11 periods

You will take two core modules in Security Studies and Contemporary Security Challenges which will provide you with a foundation for thinking about the subject. You will then design the rest of the course around your own interests by selecting four modules from a wide range of options. The flexibility of this degree is ideal for those with a broad range of interests in security studies and terrorism or for those who want to construct a curriculum around a particular area of interest.

As a postgraduate student in Department of Political Science and International Studies (POLSIS) you will also have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of events. You will also be welcomed as a member of the International Relations and Security Theory research group. This group includes members of academic staff and postgraduate research students who meet regularly to discuss their own research, recent publications and to organise research events including inviting visiting speakers.

Why study this course?

• Choose from an extensive range of optional modules
• Study in a supportive environment with research-active Security Studies scholars
• Be a part of the International Relations and Security Theory research group
• Participate in a range of intellectual and social events alongside your programme

Who is the programme for?

This degree will appeal to a wide range of students who have an interest in security issues and practices, including civilian and military officials (most probably junior or mid-level officials), who want to deepen their understanding and upgrade their qualifications. It will also be of interest to those who seek to develop a deeper understanding of these very important aspects of international relations and of the world we live in.