Program Overview

MA International Relations

Overview

The MA International Relations takes your existing studies and experience to the next level. It will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to kickstart your career in the diverse, exciting field of international relations in a range of employment settings.

Our MA explores the theories, practices and priorities of greatest relevance to the profession of international relations today. It addresses not only the most pressing issues, but those on the cutting edge of contemporary research and policy agendas: the environment, global health, populism and ideology, race and international security.

Your career growth drives our programme. During your studies, you will obtain the skills needed by successful international relations professionals. You will learn how to use the intelligence cycle, how to analyse and disseminate accurate research products, and how to develop and pursue a research agenda that generates subject matter expertise. This latter work is an opportunity to conduct a final project that marks the culmination of your studies and makes a substantial, unique contribution to knowledge in your field.

Another unique chance to develop your career lies in the opportunity to undertake a work placement during your studies. Three pathways will likely be available: (a) school or college placements for those considering teaching careers; (b) University of Suffolk research assistant placements for those considering a PhD; and (c) self-initiated placements in organisations at the broad interface of international relations, policy and government. Existing professionals will be able to conduct placements with their employers.

As a postgraduate on this innovative, career-ready MA, you will join a rapidly growing, modern university that has quickly gained a strong reputation for teaching and encouraging fresh ideas, contributing to international research excellence, and enhancing employability. Your MA International Relations will help you lead tomorrow.

Course Modules

• Applied International Relations Theory: This mandatory module will provide a firm grounding in the discipline of International Relations. It will explore the key theoretical approaches used to understand conflict, cooperation and change in the contemporary world.
• Intelligence and International Security: This module lays the practical foundations upon which contemporary International Relations is founded and conducted. The chief priorities and assumptions of national and international security are addressed, alongside the role played by intelligence in pursuit of security.
• Global Health Security: Domestic and international security was upturned by the recent COVID pandemic, which took public and practitioner communities by surprise. Yet COVID was not the first destabilisation of domestic and international order by a health emergency.
• Global Migration and Ethnicity: The contemporary globalised world is characterised by flows: of power, capital, culture and people. This latter flow involves migration between and within sovereign states.
• Global Environmental Security: Rarely a week passes without the environment figuring in the news and the public imagination. It is generally accepted, now, that the world faces a possible future of catastrophic climate change and species extinction.
• Ideology and Populism: International Relations is ultimately a study of the distribution of power, between state and nonstate actors, in the world. It is inherently political.
• Principles of Research: Principles of Research is an introductory module into the concepts, principles, and methodologies/designs for research within the humanities and social sciences.
• Independent Project A: Dissertation: Throughout the MA IR, you are encouraged to distinguish between, and critically evaluate, different theoretical, technical, normative, ethical and political approaches to the study of international relations.
• Independent Project B: Placement: This module provides an opportunity to find, arrange, and conduct a work placement in the broad fields of international relations, policy and government.

Entry Requirements

• An undergraduate degree with a minimum of 2:2 classification, or sufficient professional experience.

Career Opportunities

Our students that qualify in International Relations at postgraduate level hold skills and abilities that are highly sought after in the global workforce. You will be able to progress into a range of public, private and third sector roles.

Fees and Funding

• UK Full-time Tuition Fee: £9,150 per year
• UK Part-time Tuition Fee: £1,017 per 20 credit module
• International Full-time Tuition Fee: £15,210 per year

Facilities and Resources

Whatever you choose to study, you will learn in state-of-the-art surroundings. We have invested across the University to create an environment showcasing the latest teaching facilities enabling you to achieve great things.

Your Course Team

• Dr Duncan Weaver: Course Leader MA International Relations, Course Leader Criminology
• Scott Huntly: Lecturer in politics and researches political discourse and ideology.
• Dr Cristian Dogaru: Course leader for MRes Social Sciences and Humanities.
• Dr Reilly Anne Willis: Specialises in International Human Rights with a focus on women’s rights, gender equality, and reproductive rights.