Overview

Our International Relations MA is an opportunity to explore in depth a range of cutting edge topics including globalisation, ethics and human rights, the international political economy, war, political violence and security through the perspectives of politics and international relations, philosophy and social theory. You will be taught by some of the world’s leading International Relations experts, who will help you to develop the skills to undertake an extended research project on a topic of your choice.

Course detail

Our International Relations MA will provide you with an advanced and comprehensive understanding of the forces shaping the world and the challenge they pose both to individual states and to the international community. The movement of money and peoples, the emergence of network organisations that transcend state boundaries, the impact of a global media and information technology, the rise of identity politics, regional integration, as well as warfare on a global scale, have all had a transformative impact on the state, inter-state relations and global politics. As part of your course you will focus on developing in-depth insight into a number of traditional and emerging trends at the heart of international relations. These include challenges posed to states by other international actors, analysis of the global political economy, the impact of digital media, new identity politics and its international ramifications and the international political implications of the global Covid 19 pandemic. Through a variety of teaching and assessment methods, including seminars, masterclasses, simulations and class presentations, you will develop key analytical and research skills to confidently develop your own exploration of issues at the heart of global affairs. You will also get the freedom to explore the topics that interest you most as part of your dissertation topic.

Teaching and assessment

The primary methods of assessment for this course are assessed essays, individual and group presentations, seminar participation, exercises, and/or exams. The dissertation module assessment will be based on a 100% dissertation assignment (up to 12,000 words).

Career prospects

War Studies Graduates go on to work for NGOs, the FCO, the MOD, the Home Office, the European Union, NATO, the UN and other international organisations or pursue careers in journalism, finance, academia, the diplomatic services, the armed forces and more. Recent posts held by our alumni include Threat Analyst, Director of Political Violence Forecasting, Research Advisor at NATO Defence College, Researcher in NGOs such as Amnesty International and Oxfam.