International Relations

Why do states behave the way they do? Why do wars happen and when do they start? What is the role of the United Nations and is it effective in promoting and maintaining global peace and security? How do terrorist organisations influence decision making? Such questions and others are at the core of this program, which 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, we 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 the programme 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.



Throughout the programme, students are able to balance engagement with core content in the field of International Relations with active development of their own areas of specialisation as they choose 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 and more.

Core Modules

Dissertation (60 credits)

Theories and Issues in International Politics (20 credits)

APPROACHES TO RESEARCH DESIGN (20 credits)



Optional Modules

Global Terrorism (20 credits)

The Politics and Institutions of Northern Ireland (20 credits)

Conflict Intervention (20 credits)

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

Contemporary Security (20 credits)

Institutions and Politics of the European Union (20 credits)

The UK and Europe (20 credits)

Democratic Challenges and Innovations (20 credits)

Social Injustice (20 credits)

Global Development (20 credits)

Diplomacy and Influence in International Affairs (20 credits)

Leadership and Decision Making (20 credits)

Entrance requirements

Graduate

Normally a strong 2.2 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in a Social Sciences, Humanities or Arts subject, or a 2.2 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in any subject with relevant professional experience.



International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region at https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/international-students/your-country/



English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 7.0, with not less than 6.0 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years).



International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.



For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.



If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 14th August 2026 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 prior to the deadline stated on course finder. Notifications to this effect will appear on the application portal against the programme application page.

Examination


Seminar Presentation


Learning Journals


Literature reviews


Portfolios


Written essays


Dissertation

1 year (Full-time)

3 years (Part-time)

Entry Year: Academic Year 2026/27

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.