Global Security & Borders

Overview
Current information: Borders have become a key site and central concern of global security practices and theory, from the Mexican-United States border to the Mediterranean ports of the EU. The many facets of borders are introduced and analysed in this programme: they are understood as containers of identity, sites of power, and points of weakness where the mobility of people (e.g. terrorists, migrants) and things (eg drugs, weapons) can disrupt prevailing forms of security. This programme aims to help students navigate this complex terrain by providing a firm grounding in critical border studies, offering the chance to apply their academic insights within a work-based environment with borders/security professionals through the Borders Internship module.

Year 1
Core Modules
• Borders Internship (40 credits)
• Dissertation (60 credits)
• Global Security and Borders (20 credits)
• Approaches to research design (20 credits)

Optional Modules
• The Politics and Institutions of Northern Ireland (20 credits)
• Social Injustice (20 credits)
• Global Development (20 credits)
• The Politics of the Republic of Ireland (20 credits)
• Global Ireland (20 credits)
• The Politics and Political Economy of Energy and Low Carbon Energy Transitions (20 credits)
• Institutions and Politics of the European Union (20 credits)
• Freedom and modernity (20 credits)
• Gender and Politics (20 credits)
• The UK and Europe (20 credits)
• Conflict Intervention (20 credits)
• Contemporary Security (20 credits)
• Global Terrorism (20 credits)
• Global Political Economy (20 credits)

Course Structure
In the first semester, you’ll explore how issues such as migration, security, human rights, technology and sovereignty converge at key border sites. The curriculum responds to current transformations in global politics, and addresses entrenched problems through contemporary case studies.

In the second semester, you will engage with these issues first-hand on an intense semester-long Borders Internship. Students will spend 10 weeks in a government department or local organisation crafting policies that address borders, security and conflict. You will produce a substantial Briefing Paper for your organisation, and present this work to wider audiences. During the summer, students will work exclusively on their independent MA dissertation.

Graduate
Normally a minimum of a 2.1 Honours degree or above, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in a Social Sciences, Humanities or Arts subject, or a minimum of a 2.1 Honours degree or above, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in any subject with relevant professional experience.

Further criteria may be applied since placements are limited. This may include ranking applications on the basis of academic performance, a personal statement and/or an interview.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal prior to the deadline stated on course finder. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.

How to Apply
Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Seminar presentations

Learning journals

Literature reviews

Portfolios

Written essays

Dissertation 15,000 words (60-credits)

1 year (Full-time)

Teaching Times
Teaching takes place at a variety of times from 9-8pm Monday – Friday.

Entry Year: 2024/25

Career Prospects
Introduction
All of the MA programmes offered in the School provide our graduates with the skills to pursue a wide range of careers in the private, public and voluntary sectors. In addition they provide an appropriate basis for those who wish to proceed to Doctoral-level study.

Former students on the Global Security and Borders programme have gone on to the following careers:
- Fully funded PhD Programme in the US
- UK Navy
- Immigration services in Ireland
- Law School on the US
- Civil Service in Canadian Federal Government
http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/