Program Overview

MSc International Security

Overview

There are a growing number of new threats in international security, ranging from civil war, terrorism and transnational crime to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

This programme provides you with a theoretical and empirical understanding of the international security environment of the post-Cold War era, including the origins of conflicts and peace, the emergence of new security threats, and the many different agencies involved in conflict prevention, peacekeeping and peacemaking today.

The MSc aims to be empirically relevant by teaching you how to apply theoretical concepts to contemporary conflicts and current affairs.

Key Information

• Programme duration: One year full-time; Two years part-time.
• Start date: September 2025
• Application deadline: Overseas applicants: 25 July 2025; Home applicants: 8 August 2025
• Delivery method: On-Campus
• Location: Clifton
• Awards available: MSc

Programme Structure

You will take a combination of mandatory and optional taught units within the School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies. Each unit is assessed by an essay (or equivalent form of written submission). The taught section of the programme is followed in the summer term by a dissertation.

World-leading Research

• The University of Bristol is ranked fifth for research in the UK (Times Higher Education).
• 94% of our research assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent.

Entry Requirements

• You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in any discipline.
• If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date.
• We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer.
• We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement.
• If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing details of your relevant qualifications:
  • Evidence of significant, relevant work experience in one of the following sectors: NGOs, Government Departments, Think Tanks (minimum of six months in a paid role);
  • A postgraduate qualification in any discipline.

English Language Requirements

• If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level C.

Fees and Funding

• Home: full-time £18,700 per year; part-time (two years) £9,350 per year
• Overseas: full-time £28,500 per year
• Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.

Alumni Discount

• University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study.

Funding and Scholarships

• Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.

Career Prospects

• Bristol graduates are in high demand and have an excellent record of employment following graduation.
• Students of our MSc programmes go on to pursue varied and interesting careers.
• Many sectors - such as the civil service, NGOs and charities - require an MSc and some volunteering or internship experience.
• Graduates from our programmes have gone on to work for Refugee UK, Shelter, Barnardo's, Amnesty International, government departments and the European Parliament, among others.