International Relations

Overview

This programme provides a foundation in the academic discipline of International Relations - the array of ‘real world’ practices and problems that produce world politics. Having introduced the theoretical and methodological components which facilitate our study of the field, the aim is to use these tools to examine, explain and understand the issues and processes that make up our world: looking, for example, at war; diplomacy; arms control and arms proliferation; global health policy; humanitarian intervention; international development policy; race and legacies of colonialism; human displacement; inequality and injustice. While still attending closely and consistently to traditional issues of world politics such as armed conflict and negotiations, it offers a significantly broader education in international politics by examining contemporary issues of international politics from a multitude of perspectives, both traditional and more critical.



Students are thus able to balance engagement with core content in the field of International Relations with active development of their own areas of specialisation as they progress through choosing elective courses according to their own interests. Among the central aims of the programme is the provision of high-quality methodological and research design training needed to conduct independent research projects to an academically accredited standard. This culminates in the final dissertation stage of the programme. Recent students' dissertation topics have included: Jihadi use of social media; Russian foreign and security policy after the Ukraine conflict; Extreme right-wing terrorism and the internet; Russian private military actors; EU defence policy after BREXIT; Baltic security and the future of NATO; Paramilitarism and the Northern Irish border; Indian defence and security in relation to rising China; The limits of ‘truth and reconciliation’ in conflict resolution.

Year 1

Core Modules

• Theories and Issues in International Politics (20 credits)

• Approaches to research design (20 credits)

• Dissertation (60 credits)

• Global Political Economy (20 credits)



Optional Modules

• The Politics and Institutions of Northern Ireland (20 credits)

• Social Injustice (20 credits)

• Global Ireland (20 credits)

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

• Global Development (20 credits)

• Institutions and Politics of the European Union (20 credits)

• Global Terrorism (20 credits)

• Gender and Politics (20 credits)

• The UK and Europe (20 credits)

• Conflict Intervention (20 credits)

• Contemporary Security (20 credits)

• Freedom and modernity (20 credits)

• Democratic Innovations (20 credits)



Course Structure

The programme has three different components: core modules, elective modules and a research dissertation.



Core Modules

To acquire foundational knowledge and understanding in International Relations, students will take four core modules covering the evolution of International Relations as a discipline, issues of order, conflict and governance, and the trends toward globalisation, regionalisation and devolution.



Elective Modules

The programme provides students with a number of elective modules that will enable them to specialise in areas of interest, build on foundational knowledge, and develop focused expertise.



Research Dissertation

The research dissertation project is developed over the course of the programme through formal training in methodology and research design and individual supervision sessions with an academic subject-expert. Students will spend the final stage of the course researching and writing, with the continued support of their supervisor.

Graduate

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



The University's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy provides guidance on the assessment of experiential learning (RPEL). For more information, please visit http://go.qub.ac.uk/RPLpolicy

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 16th August 2024 for courses which commence in late September. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal. 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.

Examination


Seminar Presentation


Learning Journals


Literature reviews


Portfolios


Written essays


Dissertation

1 year full-time or 3 years part-time.



Teaching take 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.

http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/



Employment after the Course

International Relations graduates go on to an extraordinarily broad range of careers. Typical examples include:

• International Non-Governmental Organisation roles (humanitarian, conflict resolution, environmental, development etc)

• media and journalism

• government, diplomacy and international civil service roles

• military and intelligence careers

• political risk analysis

• political research, lobbying and consultancy roles with an international focus

• think-tank research

• academic careers in IR and cognate disciplines

• business roles involving significant transnational trade or operations

• International Non-Governmental Organisations including: humanitarian, conflict resolution, environmental, development etc.