Program Overview

International Relations and Management, MSc

Introduction

The MSc in International Relations and Management combines the study of how current international political and economic issues impact on how governments, businesses and other organisations operate globally.

Study Information

Study Options

• Learning Mode: On Campus Learning
• Degree Qualification: MSc
• Duration: 12 months or 24 months
• Study Mode: Full Time or Part Time
• Start Month: September or January
• Location of Study: Aberdeen

Programme Fees

Stage 1

Compulsory Courses

• Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5006)
• Business Strategy (BU5048)
• Theories and Concepts in International Relations (IR5001)
• Negotiation and Cross - Cultural Management (BU5072)

Detailed Course Information

• Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5006): This course, which is prescribed for all taught postgraduate students, is studied entirely online, takes approximately 5-6 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across a number of weeks.
• Business Strategy (BU5048): Business Strategy covers a broad range of topics that come under the general heading of “Business Strategy” / “Strategic Management”. The course introduces participants to concepts, frameworks and models that are useful in providing explanations of how companies operate with respect to goal setting, understanding their competitive landscape, assessing opportunities, managing own capabilities, coordinating their activities with other companies, and competing to create value for customers.
• Theories and Concepts in International Relations (IR5001): This course lays the foundations for, explores, and critically analyses the main theoretical paradigms and debates in International Relations, and engages with the complexity of debates on concepts in IR.
• Negotiation and Cross - Cultural Management (BU5072): Business cannot be conducted without some form of communication between the participants involved. This course examines a wide variety of different types of interpersonal communication in different types of business contexts and, by so doing, provides students with a detailed and practical overview of this vitally important subject area.

Stage 2

Compulsory Courses

• The Leadership Challenge (BU5584)
• Managing Change (BU555A)

Optional Courses

• Terrorism and Counter - Terrorism (PI5520)
• Chinese Security Issues (PI5521)
• Dimensions of Globalization (SO5512)

Detailed Course Information

• The Leadership Challenge (BU5584): This course provides an opportunity to explore and develop an understanding of your own leadership behaviour. Through workshops, group activities and discussions we investigate how personality, past experience, current situations and culture shape the way each of us behave in a leadership role.
• Managing Change (BU555A): The concepts of change and innovation have never been more topical, especially given the commercial context of fierce business competition, shorter product life cycles and more demanding customers.
• Terrorism and Counter - Terrorism (PI5520): International terrorism and counterterrorism dominate both contemporary scholarly debates in International Relations (IR) and policy discussions.
• Chinese Security Issues (PI5521): The focus of this module is the key approaches, institutions, and contemporary issues in global security relating to the rise of China.
• Dimensions of Globalization (SO5512): This interdisciplinary course focuses on substantive dimensions of globalization by considering recent changes occurring in the economic, political, social, and cultural realms of society.

Stage 3

Compulsory Courses

• Dissertation in International Relations (IR5901)

Detailed Course Information

• Dissertation in International Relations (IR5901): This is a compulsory element on the MSc International Relations programme.

Available Programmes of Study

• MSc International Relations and Management

Programme Fees

Entry Requirements

• Applicants for admission will normally be expected to hold a relevant Honours degree with a 2:1 standard from a recognised university or body.
• Applicants without this qualification may be admitted subject to having an alternative qualification, or an approved level of work experience appropriate to the field of study.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS Academic: OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
• TOEFL iBT: OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
• PTE Academic: OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
• Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency: OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169

Document Requirements

• Degree Certificate
• Degree Transcript
• Personal Statement
• Reference x 2

Careers

• Economic Analyst
• Government Officer
• International Non-Governmental Officer
• Journalist
• Policy Officer
• Public Advocacy
• Public Relations
• Social Researcher

Why Study International Relations and Management?

• You will be taught by experts from the School of Social Science and the Business School, gaining an interdisciplinary perspective on the technical aspects of business management and how contemporary international political and economic issues affect the global operation of governments and other organisations.
• Learn from experts actively involved in research.
• Aberdeen is ranked 8th in the UK for International Relations (Guardian University Guide 2025) and 3rd in Scotland for Overall Student Satisfaction in Politics (National Student Survey 2024).
• The University of Aberdeen has been ranked a Top 10 university for Overall Student Satisfaction for four consecutive years (National Student Survey 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024).