Course summary
The International Politics and Human Rights programme is for students who want to explore international politics and human rights more widely and to specialise their knowledge. The MA is designed to give you the chance to create your own questions about the way the world works – and to shape arguments where you feel it doesn’t. These are some of the questions the course poses:
- Do human rights offer universal protections, or do they provide ideological cover for neo-imperialist powers?
- Can human rights provide protection to individuals in a way that supersedes the nation-state, or do they serve the interests of powerful states?
- Should human rights be concerned with the minimalist needs of security and subsistence, or should they aspire to grander visions of global justice?
Modules
The structure of this MA means you can design your own degree. Core modules:
- Human Rights and the Transformation of World Politics (15 credits)
- Global Ethics: Principles, Power and Politics (15 Credits)
- Dissertation (60 credits)
- Understanding Security in the 21st Century (15 credits)
- Theories of International Politics (15 credits)
- Cultural Logics of Contemporary Capitalism (15 credits)
- Global Capitalism: Past, Present and Future (15 credits)
- Political Economy of Global Finance (15 credits)
- The Politics of Forced Migration (15 credits)
- Global Governance (15 credits)
- Strategy, Diplomacy and Decision-making (15 credits)
- Foreign Policy Analysis (15 credits)
- Economic Diplomacy (15 credits)
- Global Political Economy: Contemporary Approaches (30 credits)
- Russian Foreign Policy from Stalin to Putin (15 credits)
- History of East Asia (15 credits)
- Revolutions in Modern History (15 credits)
- Visions of World Order: Ideas and Concepts in the History of International Thought (15 credits).
- Qualitative Research Methods (15 credits)
- Applied Qualitative Research Methods (15 credits)
- Criminal Minds (15 credits)
- Developments in Communication Policy (30 credits)
- Transnational Media and Communication (30 credits)
- International Human Rights in Law and Practice (30 credits)
- International Criminal Law: Crimes & Institutions (30 credits)
- Law and War (30 credits)
- Minorities and Indigenous People in International Law (30 credits)
- MA International Politics and Human Rights students have access to additional LLM options with The City Law School – a full list is available in the programme specification.
Assessment method
In taught International Politics modules you will be assessed by written coursework (100% of the module mark); i.e. there are no exams. IPM127 (Strategy, Diplomacy and Decision-making) differs slightly from this rule. Due to the module’s more practical nature the assessment includes written coursework and performance in class exercises. Elective modules opened to International Politics students but offered by other Departments/Schools (as mentioned earlier) may contain a different set of assessment requirements. In addition, as a student in the MA International Politics and Human Rights degree programme you will have to complete a Dissertation (60 credits or one third of your overall mark). Coursework for the core modules in International Politics and Human rights is typically a 3,000-word essay, or an equivalent type of written piece (such as a policy paper or a research proposal). Optional 15 credit modules are typically assessed by a 3,000-word essay. The Dissertation is a 15,000 words long piece of self-directed research, focusing on a specific issue, phenomenon and/or event within the study of International Politics and Human Rights. You will be assigned a relevant Dissertation Supervisor (normally a Faculty member), who advises you on the appropriate approach and stages in investigating the topic. You can expect an equivalent of three hours of supervision from your assigned supervisor while working on your dissertation and dissertation proposal. At the same time, the Department operates an open door policy: you are welcome to consult any member of staff, in addition to your own supervisor.
Entry requirements
You should have a first or upper second-class honours (or equivalent) degree in politics, the social sciences, humanities or law. However, we also welcome applications from those with substantial experience in human rights organisations, NGOs, social services, journalism and other related sectors. If English is not your first language you will need the following qualification: - IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 (with a minimum of 6.0 for each sub-test) OR - A first degree from a UK university or an overseas institution recognised by City as providing adequate evidence of proficiency in the English language, for example, from institutions in Australia or the USA. All applicants that require a Student visa must meet the minimum Home Office English Language ability requirements before City can issue the Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS) that is needed to apply for a Student visa.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| EU | £10150 | Year 1 |
| International | £10150 | Year 1 |
| England | £5397 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £5397 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £5397 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £5397 | Year 1 |
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
City, University of London
Northampton Square
City of London
EC1V 0HB