Queen's University Belfast

This programme is designed to analyse various aspects of International Relations in a scholarly, critical and methodologically sophisticated manner. 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, topics and processes that make up our world, from security and terrorism, migration and mobility, to global financial crises.


The programme offers a balance between providing core content in the field of International Relations while allowing students to actively choose their area of specialism.


The Diploma is constructed around the coursework elements of the MA programmes with no dissertation required. On successful completion of the coursework, however, it is possible to complete the dissertation for an award of MA.


International Relations highlights


Industry Links

•You will be studying timely, relevant and pressing issues that will be 'live' throughout the programme (e.g. BREXIT & EU negotiations; migration and refugees; conflict and war; climate change developments).


World Class Facilities

•We also often host guest lectures and are closely affiliated with the The Senator George J Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice at Queen's. This Institute aims to tackle major global problems by bringing world-leading academics and experts together. The Institute has welcomed a number of high profile speakers from the political arena to the University over the past year, including President Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, Hilary Clinton (who was awarded an honorary degree by the University), and Speaker of the UK House of Commons, John Bercow MP.


Internationally Renowned Experts


•Taught by world-leading experts in areas such as migration and asylum, border security, visual culture and international ethics. An opportunity to study international relations in a location where communal conflicts have a clear international aspect in both their perpetuation and resolution. Benefits from a vibrant interdisciplinary research culture within the School, including insights from History, Anthropology and Philosophy.


•Belfast is a location where communal conflict has had significant international aspects in both its perpetuation and resolution. Northern Ireland remains a model of conflict resolution and peace building across the world and students benefit from the School and University's wider expertise in terrorism and political violence, conflict resolution, security studies, border studies and Irish and Northern Irish politics.


Student Experience


•All of the modules on our programme are taught by research-active academics who are world leaders in their specific fields of International Relations. For example, members of staff are currently conducting research on war, trade, security, diplomacy, conflict, migration, intervention, terrorism, violence, climate change, human rights and international institutions.


•International Relations at Queen's benefits from a vibrant interdisciplinary research culture within the School, including insights from History, Anthropology and Philosophy as well as engagement with academics across the wider University in fields such law, sociology and social policy, management and computing (for example, in collaboration for the study of cybersecurity threats).