Course summary
Overview If you're passionate about studying global conflict and co-operation at postgraduate level, but you can't commit to attending university every week, this MA International Relations and Politics offers a convenient way to study a Master's. Through intensive blocks of study, you'll graduate with the skills and knowledge for creative roles in security, development, social policy, governance, advocacy and communications, in local to global institutions. Course highlights:
- Fit each module into a week's intensive study, with a few weeks' rest between to focus on your life and career commitments
- Explore the contours of contemporary insecurity, examine the key drivers of political and public policy decision making across the globe, and apply key analytical concepts to local and international political developments
- Devise, research and deliver a major academic project
- Challenge conventional explanations and participate in key debates about international conflict, global politics and public policy.
- Develop advanced analytic skills, and how to communicate your analysis in engaging reports, policy briefs and essays.
- Study with internationally-recognised academics, including members of the Centre for European and International Studies Research (CEISR) and the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence for the Study of a Transnational Europe
Modules
On this course, you'll study these modules (full-time): Core modules:
- Comparative Public Policy (30 credits)
- Contemporary Security in International Relations: Providers and Challenges (30 credits)
- Defence and Deterrence (30 credits)
- Exploring International Relations (30 credits)
- Dissertation (30 credits)
- Dissertation (45 credits)
- Researching International Relations (15 credits)
- Researching International Relations (30 credits)
Assessment method
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge through informal assessments, seminars and peer review sessions before you do assessments that count towards your final mark. You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future. You'll be assessed through:
- academic essays
- briefing papers and reports
- group presentations
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) | 6.5 | English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0. |
| PTE Academic | 61 | An overall score of 61 with a minimum of 54 in each skill. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 91 | 91 with a minimum of 20 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 20 in Writing |
| 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. | |
| Trinity ISE | Trinity College Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III with a Pass in all 4 components |
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| EU | £5200 | Year 1 |
| England | £5200 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £5200 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £5200 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £5200 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £5200 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £5200 | Year 1 |
| International | £8950 | 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 who are resident in EU countries: please note that the net fee is inclusive of the Transition Scholarship.
Fees are accurate at the time of publishing and are subject to change at any time without notice.
Fees may also go up in later years, in line with inflation.
Provider information
University of Portsmouth
University House
Winston Churchill Avenue
Portsmouth
PO1 2UP