Course summary

Course details The MA in Politics and International Relations equips you with the skills to challenge conventional thinking, master complex political concepts, and analyse your own views about some of the most pressing global challenges. Immersing yourself in debates about a wide range of issues, from human rights and the ethics of armed conflict to the history of political thought, you will develop the knowledge and skills to critically review the complex relationships between governments and societies. You will learn to evaluate concepts, theories, and paradigms, drawing lessons from real-world studies informed by quantitative and qualitative investigations. Why Durham University? Part of the School of Government and International Affairs, politics and international relations at Durham is centred around the areas of political theory, comparative politics, international relations, and political economy. Our academic staff have a genuine passion for politics and are leading experts in the study of these areas, as they exist across Europe, East Asia, the Middle East, and the wider Muslim world, Africa, and America. We are a research-led School offering high-quality learning in essential quantitative and qualitative research methods alongside in-depth study of key areas of political and international theory. These include Comparative Institutions and Political Behaviour, Environmental Politics, Global Security and Peacebuilding, International Political Economy, and International Relations. Postgraduate politics and international relations provision at Durham explores political life across the globe. We apply our research expertise in the theory and practice of politics to discover more about the systems and processes that shape our world. The learning and research community is vibrant and active and is one of the biggest groups at the University comprising a postgraduate body of nearly 50 different nationalities. Facilities Facilities include spacious environments for both learning and socialising and the building is also home to the renowned Global Policy Institute, the Institute of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies, and the Durham Global Security Institute. Career Opportunities Our courses focus on developing self-aware, thoughtful, and ambitious global citizens with the skills and knowledge to secure rewarding and stimulating careers inside and outside of politics. Our postgraduates achieve successful careers in many fields including local and national government, diplomacy, newspaper and broadcast journalism, the charity sector, business and finance, publishing, law, manufacturing, teaching and academia, and the armed forces. Former postgraduate students have taken up roles with leading employers including the House of Commons, Clifford Chance, Accenture, British Airways, Ernst and Young, British Telecom, Goldman Sachs, PwC, the Royal Navy, House of Fraser, Channel 4, HSBC, Teach First, Black Rock, and the Audit Commission.