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International Security and Global Governance at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 2026
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Open days

3Sep
Birkbeck, University of London - September Open Evening
Undergraduate

Course summary

Our MSc International Security and Global Governance gives you the opportunity to explore urgent contemporary debates about violence, conflict, security and governance from a global perspective. Why choose this course?

  • As the liberal international order unravels before our eyes, this course provides you with a critical and multidisciplinary overview of global security today, including the different actors and forces shaping international security.
  • The interdisciplinary nature of this course means that it incorporates political, theoretical, historical, sociological and public policy approaches to offer you a wide-ranging, balanced analysis of contemporary political controversies.
  • You will be taught by international experts in the field and will learn alongside a diverse international student body with professional and personal experience of international relations.
What you will learn On this MSc you will consider geopolitical rivalries among global powers and the threat of violence and war within and between states, as well as multilateral governance efforts at managing these and other crises. Core modules will allow you to examine the changing nature of war, violence and security, and their relationship with state and society. You will gain an understanding of the evolution of global military, humanitarian, geopolitical and governance institutions and the processes that shape them. You can then tailor the course to your interests choosing from option modules covering a range of topics. How you will learn This MSc is available to study full- or part-time and follows an evening timetable. You will be taught through a combination of lectures and small-group seminars. You will be able to apply the concepts and methods you have learnt to write a dissertation on the topic that interests you most. This course is part of our Birkbeck Flexible Master’s UK, which gives you the choice of how you want to study - on campus, online or via flexible learning, which combines both. If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. Online and flexible options will not be available to you because they may affect the conditions of your visa. Highlights
  • We are home to affiliated research centres, such as the Birkbeck Centre for British Political Life, which run seminars, conferences and other events.
  • Our academic staff are international authorities in their respective fields, publishing and delivering stimulating teaching in a wide range of political topics including civil society and the state, public policy, development, gender, international security and terrorism, and social and political theory.
  • Our location in central London puts us at the heart of the UK’s political life and at the centre of academic London. Our departmental building was once a key location for members of the Bloomsbury Group, so you could be studying in rooms that have hosted distinguished visitors, including T.S. Eliot, George Bernard Shaw and Maynard Keynes.
Careers and employability On successfully graduating from this course you will have gained transferable skills including:
  • critical analysis of international policy and politics
  • advanced writing and research skills
  • group work and presentational experience.
This course will prepare you for roles in professions in international organisations, policy research, journalism, economic and political forecasting, campaigning organisations, local and national government, the diplomatic services and private sector management. You may choose a career path in:
  • global risk analysis
  • international journalism
  • as an international organisation official.
Graduates from this course have been employed by various national diplomatic services as well as the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, International Maritime Organization and the Human Rights Watch.

Modules

For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.

Assessment method

Formative and assessed essays and examinations.

How to apply

International applicants

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses and foundation programmes to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck. Please note, if you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. Online and flexible options will not be available to you because they may affect the conditions of your visa.

Entry requirements

A second-class honours degree (2:2) or above in a related area or relevant experience combined with an adequate academic background (subject to interview). Applications are reviewed on their individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £5850 Year 1
Northern Ireland £5850 Year 1
Scotland £5850 Year 1
Wales £5850 Year 1
International £10170 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

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases.
International Security and Global Governance at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS