MA/PGDip in International Relations
University of Birmingham - College of Social Sciences
Key Information
Campus location
Birmingham, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
1 - 2 year
Pace
Full time, Part time
Tuition fees
GBP 10,530 / per year **
Application deadline
30 Aug 2024*
Earliest start date
Sep 2024
* deadline for UK students I 7 May 2024 is the application deadline for international students
** For the Masters: £10,530 FT (UK), £5,265 PT (UK), £24,120 FT (International) ! For the Postgraduate diploma: £7,020 FT (UK), £16,080 FT (International)
Introduction
The course explores issues and problems crucial to international politics. It promotes the study of those problems through theoretical, ethical and practical inquiry, drawing on the expertise of a large and diverse team of research-active international relations specialists. It is designed for those who are either familiar with the study of international politics at undergraduate level or who wish to focus on this area of study at the postgraduate level.
As a postgraduate student in the Department of Political Science and International Studies (POLSIS) you will have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of events. You will also be welcomed as a member of the International Relations and Security Theory research group. This group includes members of academic staff and postgraduate research students who meet regularly to discuss their own research, recent publications and to organise research events including inviting visiting speakers.
The course covers both long established fields of study such as war, security, foreign policy and diplomacy and new research agendas such as rising powers, global justice, and gender issues. The core aims are to provide an introduction to International Relations Theory for those students new the subject and to ground theoretical studies in a range of concrete puzzles, problems and dilemmas. Gradually, week by week, we will develop a deep knowledge and understanding of this diverse field. A further aim is to prepare you to conduct independent research and analyses of international politics.
Key issues and questions examined include:
- What is the nature of international or world order?
- Which actors have power and how is power exercised?
- Why are there wars?
- What is ‘security’ and how can security be achieved at national, regional and international levels?
- When and how is international cooperation possible?
- Is there a relationship between democracy and peace?
- Are human rights universal?
- Is it possible to realize global justice?
- What are the legal and political condition for humanitarian intervention and can intervention be justified on ethical grounds?
Why study this course?
- Choose from an extensive range of optional modules
- Study in a supportive environment with research-active specialists in international relations
- Be a part of the International Relations and Security Theory research group
- Participate in a range of intellectual and social events alongside your programme
Gallery
Ideal Students
Who is the programme for?
The degree will be of interest and benefit to those interested in pursuing careers in national and international governmental agencies, in NGOs, journalism, the public sector and education as well as those interested in undertaking doctoral work in international relations. In all cases, you will be encouraged to work closely with staff in a supportive and intellectually-committed environment.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Postgraduate Loans for Masters students
The Postgraduate Student Loan has increased its maximum loan amount to £12,167 (for 2023/2024 entry). For more detailed information visit our Postgraduate funding page.
Scholarships and studentships
See the departmental scholarships and funding pages.
Other funding may be available. International Students can often gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships or their home government.
For further information contact the School directly or visit StudentHelp.
Curriculum
This is a flexible programme which offers a wide choice of modules. You will take two core modules which together will provide you with the theoretical and conceptual foundations needed to understand and think about the subject. You will then design the rest of the course around your own interests by selecting four optional modules. The flexibility of this degree is ideal for those with a broad range of interests in international politics or for those who want to construct a curriculum around a particular area of interest, such as security, diplomacy, international political economy or gender.
Unless indicated otherwise the modules listed for this programme are for students starting in 2024.
Compulsory modules
Optional modules
You will choose 4 modules from the POLSIS optional modules list.
Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. On rare occasions, we may need to make unexpected changes to compulsory modules; in this event we will contact offer holders as soon as possible to inform or consult them as appropriate.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Graduates from the School have gone on to work in a range of careers, with recent graduates working with organisations such as the United Nations, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, local authorities in the UK and overseas and the Department for International Development.
The School takes employability very seriously and as well as linking students to the central careers services, also incorporates opportunities to enhance their employment prospects, including highlighting work experience opportunities, encouraging volunteering in extra-curricular projects (such as student seminars and events) and by inviting backgrounds for students to meet.
Careers Network
The Careers Network provides a dedicated service to help you find work experience or internship opportunities outside of your studies, either part-time during term-time, or over the summer vacation. Right from the start of your degree you will have access to our interactive careers service, through which many regional, national and international employers advertise their vacancies, and your college internship officers will go out and about to find vacancies that will be a useful addition to your CV.