International Relations (Research) MA

The socio-political challenges facing us are becoming increasingly international in scale. That means there’s an ever-growing need for problem-solvers who can think globally.

On our MA in International Relations, taught and supervised by internationally recognised academics, you will gain the tools to interrogate global politics and better understand global issues like foreign policy, environmental politics and migration.

Through mandatory course units, you will be introduced to a range of orthodox and critical theories and approaches, while also developing skills in qualitative and quantitative research design.

You’ll also be able to tailor your course to fit your interests, exploring subjects such as:

* Governing in an Unjust World: Justice and International Relations;

* Security Studies;

* Migration, Mobility, and Displacement in the Contemporary World;

* Human Rights in World Politics.

See a full list of mandatory and optional course units below.

Being a part of a postgraduate community, you are encouraged to participate in the Critical Global Politics research cluster, who organise a seminar series attracting high profile speakers, including:

* Cynthia Enloe;

* Cynthia Weber;

* Nick Vaughan-Williams;

* Marysia Zalewski;

* Laura Shepherd.

Through the course, you will develop subject area expertise as well as highly transferrable skills such as research design, critical inquiry, and writing and communication skills, setting you up for multiple career paths in the public, private, or third sectors. You will also be well-placed to continue developing and using your research expertise, either professionally or in PhD study.

Research or Standard Route?

The key difference between our MA International Relations (Research Route) and our MA International Relations (Standard Route) is the amount and scope of mandatory course units you will take.

On the Research Route, in addition to your dissertation, you will take six mandatory course units and two optional course units. Mandatory units on this route are:

* Research Design and Skills;

* Philosophy of Politics Research;

* Qualitative Research Methods;

* Introduction to Quantitative Methods;

* Critical Approaches to International Politics;

* Graduate Seminar in International Relations Theory.

On the Standard Route, in addition to your dissertation, you will take three mandatory course units and five optional course units. Mandatory units on this route are:

* Research Design and Skills;

* Critical Approaches to International Politics;

* Graduate Seminar in International Relations Theory.