Study MA International Relations

Course Highlights

The MA International Relations course provides students with a contemporary, critical, and exciting insight into the vagaries of global politics. Students will study a range of modules, taught by research-active staff who are experts in their fields. The modules are assessed through a variety of both traditional, such as essays, presentations, critical reviews, and non-traditional, such as podcasts, blogs, simulations, assignments, which aim to assess and develop not only discipline-related knowledge but also transferable, soft skills necessary for future employment. Students will also complete a 12,000-word research dissertation on a topic of their choice. Whether it's the recent Covid-19 pandemic, the climate emergency, the energy crisis, or the war in Ukraine, International Relations has never been more relevant.

This degree is aimed at applicants who wish to find employment in careers that require advanced research and communication skills, such as government departments, non-governmental organisations, businesses, marketing, journalism, or those wishing to proceed to postgraduate research.

Course Modules

Learning Structure

Award-winning lecturers are delivered by research-active staff who will introduce and explain topical matters across the discipline of international relations. You will:

• participate in interactive stimulating lectures and seminars and take ownership of your own learning within a supportive and managed environment.
• engage in simulation activities which replicate the international relations environment and experiences.
• benefit from regular detailed and personal supervision sessions to support your independent research.
• gain experience in presenting your research at a student conference where you will provide answers to unprepared questions.
• have external speakers and industry visits allowing you to gain a wider understanding of where your degree fits into the broader framework of international politics.
• attain insights through research study sessions looking 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.