Global Security & Borders

Overview

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 (e.g. 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. At the core of this programme is the chance for students to apply their academic insights within a work-based environment with borders/security professionals through the Borders Internship module.



Course Structure

A unique course, not offered anywhere else in the UK or Ireland, through which you’ll critically examine how pressing security issues are increasingly being felt at border sites around the world.



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.

Year 1

Core Modules

Dissertation (60 credits)

APPROACHES TO RESEARCH DESIGN (20 credits)

Borders Internship (40 credits)

Global Security and Borders (20 credits)



Optional Modules

Policy analysis and evaluation: From theory to practice (20 credits)

Institutions and Politics of the European Union (20 credits)

Feminism(s), Gender and Global Politics (20 credits)

The Politics of the Republic of Ireland (20 credits)

Ethnic conflict and consensus (20 credits)

Interest Groups, Lobbying and Advocacy (20 credits)

Global Ireland (20 credits)

Comparative Territorial Politics (20 credits)

Diplomacy and Influence in International Affairs (20 credits)

Social Injustice (20 credits)

Contemporary Security (20 credits)

Conflict Intervention (20 credits)

The UK and Europe (20 credits)

Freedom and modernity (20 credits)

Global Terrorism (20 credits)

Global Development (20 credits)

The Politics and Institutions of Northern Ireland (20 credits)

Global Political Economy (20 credits)

The Politics and Political Economy of Energy and Low Carbon Energy Transitions (20 credits)

Graduate

A minimum of a 2.2 Honours degree (with minimum of 55%) or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in a Social Sciences, Humanities or Arts subject; or a minimum of a 2.2 Honours degree (with a minimum of 55%) or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in any subject with relevant professional experience.



Given the highly competitive nature of the selection process for this course, please note that where offers are made, the academic standard required may be higher than the minimum requirement outlined above.



Further criteria may be applied since placements are limited. This may include (but is not limited to) ranking applications on the basis of academic performance, alongside a personal statement.

Due to external international funding deadlines, international/EU applicants must apply by Friday 31st January 2025 at 4pm GMT for consideration. The closing date for UK/Irish applicants (or late international applicants not applying for consideration of international funding) is Friday 28th March 2025 at 4pm GMT. This is due to a limited number of internships available for this course.



Applications received after the closing deadline of Friday 28th March 2025 at 4pm GMT will be regarded as LATE and will be considered only if vacancies exist when all applications received by these closing dates have been processed.



A deposit is required to secure your place. (This condition of offer will be in addition to any academic or English language requirements).



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 application portal against the programme application page.

Seminar presentations


Learning journals


Literature reviews


Portfolios


Written essays


Dissertation 15,000 words (60-credits)

1 year (Full-time)

Entry Year: 2025/26

Career Prospects

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/