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
The University of Portsmouth is passionate about creating career-focused modules that do more than support your studies, they empower your academic journey and prepare you for what comes next. We design modules that have: • Clear themes and skills development as you progress through each year • Assessments that feel meaningful, often based on real-world tasks rather than isolated exams • Career-enhancing opportunities such as placements, live projects, enterprise and volunteering For a full list of the modules you will study on this course, please visit https://www.port.ac.uk/study/courses/postgraduate-taught/ma-international-relations#modules
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 5.5. | |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 91 with a minimum of 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing. | |
| PTE Academic | An overall score of 65 with a minimum of 59 in each skill. | |
| Cambridge English Advanced | Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) (taken after January 2015). An overall score of 176 with no component score less than 162. | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | Cambridge English: Advanced (CPE) (taken after January 2015). An overall score of 176 with no component score less than 162. |
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| EU | £18600 | Year 1 |
| England | £9700 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9700 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9700 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9700 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9700 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9700 | Year 1 |
| International | £18600 | 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 of Portsmouth
Mercantile House
Hampshire Terrace
Portsmouth
PO1 2EG