Study MA International Relations with Placement Year

Course Highlights

Study MA in International Relations to gain an understanding of the forces that shape global politics in the 21st Century. A postgraduate degree in international relations provides a pathway to a range of careers from policy-related roles in NGOs and government to vocational positions in the media and the private sector.

Whether your background is in politics and international relations, or another discipline, this MA equips you with the knowledge, skills and tools to critically analyse and tackle global society's most pressing issues. Specialist modules allow you to study and analyse a range of topics, from traditional issues like war, peace and security to more contemporary debates on the international economy, global ethics, energy scarcity and ecological changes. You will undertake a dissertation, on a topic of your choice, and will be supervised through this task by one, or more, of the department's dedicated research staff.

The MA is delivered with flexibility in mind, combining in-class activities with online learning provisions to ensure that studies can be balanced with other commitments, including work and family life. There are a number of different pathways on offer to fit with your individual needs and professional aims.

Course Modules

Learning Structure

Award winning lecturers are active researchers who will introduce and explain topics that are at the forefront of the discipline of international relations. The programme will be delivered using a number of different methods:

• interactive lectures and seminars where you will be encouraged to participate in and take ownership of, your own learning within a supportive and managed environment.
• simulation activities, which replicate the environment and experiences within which international relations take place.
• regular, detailed and personal supervision sessions for independent student research.
• opportunities to present your research at a student conference, where you will gain experience in presenting and providing answers to unprepared questions.
• external speakers and visits allow you to gain a wider understanding of where your degree fits into the broader framework of international politics.
• our study and research skills sessions are applied to the discipline, which means you will attain insights into how theories, methods and methodologies operate in a real research environment.

Entry Requirements

• A 4-year Honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline with CGPA 2.75 or 55% of marks (or above) from recognised institution.

English Language Requirements

IELTS Academic

Overall 6.5

With minimum 6.0 in each components

TOEFL iBT

Overall 79

Minimum in Listening: 17, Reading: 18, Speaking: 20, Writing: 17

PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic

Overall 59

With minimum 59 in each components

LanguageCert Academic

Overall 70

With minimum 65 in each bands

OIETC (Oxford International English Test Centre)

Overall C1

With minimum B2 in each bands

Duolingo

Overall 120

With minimum 100 in each bands

Applicants with a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 are eligible for Pre-sessional English language courses.

Study Gaps

For applicants with an academic or professional gap of up to 5 years, admission is generally considered acceptable. If the gap exceeds this period, applications may still be successful but will typically be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

To strengthen your profile, it is important to:

• Provide a clear explanation of how you spent the gap period (e.g., employment, further learning, personal responsibilities).
• Emphasize the skills and experiences you developed during this time that are relevant to the program.
• Demonstrate that your academic qualifications continue to meet the course entry requirements.