Course summary
Overview If you're interested in national and international organisations, conflict and uncertainty, and in how they are shaping contemporary international relations, our MA International Relations will develop your grasp of the central issues. You'll study issues related to civil society and security, such as weapons of mass destruction (WMD), terrorism and political violence, and explore the power of social movements, political resistance and rebellion. You'll challenge conventional explanations, develop your own arguments, and participate in key debates about international relations and global politics. You'll develop advanced analytic skills and critical assessment abilities, and learn to write engaging reports, policy briefs and essays. When you graduate, you'll be in a strong position to generate creative solutions that benefit the global economy and international society. You will be suited for roles in security, development, social policy, governance, advocacy and communications. Previous graduates have gone on to work in parliaments, political parties, third sector and civil society organisations. You'll be suited for roles in security, development, social policy, governance, advocacy and communications. Previous graduates have gone on to work in parliaments, political parties, third sector and civil society organisations. Prefer to study online? If you'd rather not attend university in person, you can study MA International Relations online. What you'll experience On this course you'll:
- Immerse yourself in pressing topics, such as whether global civil society can promote security, development and rights, how terrorism and political violence shape domestic and political affairs, how nuclear and other security threats have evolved, and the role the EU endeavours to play in global politics
- Learn from passionate and experienced academics involved in leading international relations research on subjects including development NGOs and language, transnational civil society, and remote warfare
- Build up expertise in issues relating to security, risk and global civil society, and understand how to apply this to real world problems as they happen
- Hear expert guest lecturers respond to current global events, the security dimensions and international ramifications, such as the conflict in Ukraine
- Develop a high level of specialist knowledge in an area of your choice through your dissertation
- national, European and international state institutions
- political parties
- political lobbyists
- think tanks
- security and risk analysis
- foreign affairs analysis
- political communication and journalism
Modules
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits. You need to study modules worth a total of 180 credits. For example, 4 module worth 30 credits and 1 module worth 60 credits. Modules (full-time) You'll study the following core modules:
- Contemporary Security in International Relations: Providers and Challenges (30 credits)
- Exploring International Relations (30 credits)
- Defence and Deterrence (30 credits)
- Dissertation (30 credits)
- Dissertation (45 credits)
- European International Relations: Facing New Challenges (30 credits)
- NGOs and Social Movements (30 credits)
- Researching International Relations (15 credits)
- Researching International Relations (30 credits)
- Resistance and Rebellion (30 credits)
Assessment method
You’ll be assessed through: academic essays briefing papers and reports blog posts narrated presentations a major independent project or dissertation You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark. This includes group discussions, peer review activities, and virtual seminars. You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
Entry requirements
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.
English language requirements
Test | Grade | Additional details |
---|---|---|
IELTS (Academic) | English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0. | |
Cambridge English Advanced | Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 176 with no component score less than 169. | |
Cambridge English Proficiency | Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 176 with no component score less than 169. | |
TOEFL (iBT) | 91 with a minimum of 20 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 20 in Writing. | |
PTE Academic | An overall score of 61 with a minimum of 54 in each skill. |
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
EU | £10400 | Year 1 |
England | £10400 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £10400 | Year 1 |
Scotland | £10400 | Year 1 |
Wales | £10400 | Year 1 |
Channel Islands | £10400 | Year 1 |
Republic of Ireland | £10400 | Year 1 |
International | £17900 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Provider information
University of Portsmouth
University House
Winston Churchill Avenue
Portsmouth
PO1 2UP