International Relations (Distance Learning)

Program Overview

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International Relations (Distance Learning) MA

Overview

Explore contemporary world affairs on this MA International Relations, studying full-time or part-time alongside work or military service via distance learning.

Key Information

• Study mode and duration: 1 year full-time by distance learning, 2 years part-time by distance learning
• Start date: September 2025, January 2026

Course Information

Overview

Explore the complexities of contemporary world affairs on this MA International Relations, which you can study full-time or part-time alongside work or military service via distance learning.

The University of Portsmouth is ranked the number 1 modern university for research quality in Area Studies (Research Excellence Framework 2021).

You'll delve into the issues central to national and international security and conflict, including terrorism and political violence, weapons of mass destruction (WMD), and the impact of social movements, political resistance, cyber activism and rebellion.

With access to the entire course online, you'll learn how to challenge conventional thinking, develop your own perspectives, and take part in key debates about international relations, civil society and global politics.

You'll sharpen your ability to analyse and critically assess, both in person and in the writing of reports, essays and policy briefs.

After the course, you'll be ready to contribute positively towards matters at the heart of global conflict and international security and defence.

Eligibility

This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.

Course Highlights

• Study essential debates, such as how nuclear and other security threats have evolved, whether global civil society can promote security, development and rights, how terrorism and political violence shape domestic and political affairs, and the role the EU endeavours to play in global politics
• Develop specialist knowledge in areas relating to security, defence and international conflict
• Learn from expert academics who are contributing to the latest international relations research, and hear expert guest lecturers respond to current global events, such as the conflict in Ukraine
• Be able to immerse yourself in an international relations topic of your choice through your dissertation

Benefits of Distance Learning

• Work from anywhere, at your own pace, in your own time – with interactive online learning materials hosted on our virtual learning environment, Moodle, and available 24/7 on any device
• Access to over 600,000 ebooks, 55,000 online journals, digital newspapers and a postal loan service from our University Library
• Invitations to online forums where you can discuss your studies with other students and your lecturers
• Access to all student support services via email, phone, online chat or video call

Entry Requirements

Eligibility

This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.

September 2025/ January 2026 start

• UK qualifications:
  • A minimum of a second-class honours degree in Politics, International Relations, Peace Studies, Sociology, History, or another relevant subject
  • Equivalent (directly relevant to course content and extensive) professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered
• Non-UK qualifications:
  • If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above
• English language requirements:
  • English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.5

Course Costs and Funding

Tuition Fees (September 2025 / January 2026 start)

• UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man students:
  • Full-time: £9,400 (may be subject to annual increase)
  • Part-time: £4,700 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
• EU students:
  • Full time: £9,400 (may be subject to annual increase)
  • Part-time: £4,700 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
• International students:
  • Full-time: £9,400 (may be subject to annual increase)
  • Part-time: £4,700 per year (may be subject to annual increase)

Funding Your Studies

Explore how to fund your studies, including available scholarships and bursaries.

If you're a UK student, you may be eligible for a Government Postgraduate Master's Loan, which you can use to help with course fees and living costs.

If you are a member of the Armed Forces, you may also be eligible for the Ministry of Defence's ELCAS (Enhanced Learning Credits Administration Service) funding.

Modules

Full-time

Year 1

• Core modules:
  • Exploring International Relations - 30 credits
  • Contemporary Security in International Relations - 30 credits
• Optional modules:
  • Dissertation - 30 credits
  • Dissertation - 45 credits
  • European International Relations: Facing New Challenges - 30 credits
  • NGOs and Social Movements - 30 credits
  • Defence and Deterrence - 30 credits
  • Researching International Relations - 15 credits
  • Researching International Relations - 30 credits
  • Resistance and Rebellion - 30 credits

Part-time

Year 1 Year 2

• Core modules:
  • Exploring International Relations - 30 credits
• Optional modules:
  • Contemporary Security in International Relations - 30 credits
  • Defence and Deterrence - 30 credits
  • Resistance and Rebellion - 30 credits
  • Dissertation - 30 credits
  • Dissertation - 45 credits
  • European International Relations: Facing New Challenges - 30 credits
  • NGOs and Social Movements - 30 credits
  • Contemporary Security in International Relations - 30 credits
  • Defence and Deterrence - 30 credits
  • Resistance and Rebellion - 30 credits
  • Researching International Relations - 15 credits
  • Researching International Relations - 30 credits

How You'll Spend Your Time

We recognise that you'll probably be juggling more demands when you do your Master's degree, as you may be working or you may have family responsibilities.

We'll give you as much indication here as we can of how much time you'll need to spend in online lectures and seminars and how many hours you can expect to spend in self-directed study, but please note that these indications are always subject to change.

Course Structure

This Master's degree will take:

• 1 year (full-time study)
• 2 years (part-time study)

You can expect:

• 5-6 optional live online seminars for each module you study, held at times when as many students as possible can attend
• 36 hours of independent study each week if you study full-time, or 18 hours each week if you study part-time

In the last 3 months of the course you'll be focusing on your research project.

Career Development

Careers This Master's Prepares You For

There is high demand across a range of professions for those with a solid foundation in international relations and an unbiased global outlook.

This International Relations Master's degree will give you invaluable insight into international organisations and the challenges they face, while enabling you to learn the skills to affect change, such as policy development, strategy and communication.

Once you graduate, you'll have the knowledge and skill set to advance your career in the Armed Forces, security or national defence, or to pursue a new direction in a related field.

Graduates of This Course Have Gone On to Work For Organisations Such As

• Armed Forces
• Civil Service (Foreign and Commonwealth Office)
• Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL)
• Ministry of Defence (MoD)

Graduates of This Course Have Gone On to Work in Areas Such As

• National, European and international state institutions
• Political parties
• Political lobbyists
• NGOs
• Think tanks
• International development
• International human rights
• Security and risk analysis
• Foreign affairs analysis
• Political communication and journalism

Supporting You

Master's study is more focused on independent learning than undergraduate study, but you'll get lots of support via video and phone from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed.

You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:

Types of Support

• Personal tutor
• Learning development tutors
• Academic skills support
• Wellbeing and mental health support
• Disability advice and additional support
• Library support
• Maths and stats support
• Support with English

How to Apply

Unlike undergraduate applications, which go through UCAS, applications for this Master's course are made directly to us.

There's no deadline for applications to this course. We accept applications right up until the start dates in September and January, as long as there are places available.

You can find more advice about applying in our Master's application checklist.

International students and current students and recent graduates of the University of Portsmouth also have some different application options, which are detailed below.

Extra Information for International Students

If you're an international student, you can apply directly to us using the same application form as UK students.

You could also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.

If you don’t meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.