Masters Degrees (International Politics)

Study International Politics to get behind the headlines as you discover structures and ideas that shape global affairs.

Who is it for?

The International Politics MA programme is for students who want to explore international politics more widely and then drill down to follow their unique interests and specialise their knowledge. The MA is designed to give you the chance to pursue your own questions about the way the world works – and to shape arguments where you feel it doesn’t.

Objectives

This is a course where you will challenge your own point of view. We probe the ideas that structure the way we think about the world and examine the institutions that determine events. We then focus on how you can use this new understanding to judge global affairs for yourself.

International Politics is an expansive and ever-changing subject so you learn about the broad contours of the field while developing specialisms backed by real-world research. The department’s academics are actively shaping policy, sitting on the advisory board for the Corbyn shadow cabinet, hosting talks on the human right to housing in London, and engaging in study groups around the Obama presidency. This keeps the content of the course effective and current, giving students a contemporary lens from which to view rapid political change.

These are some of the questions the course poses:
-Is the USA a benevolent global leader or a neo-imperial power?
-How does the shift in power from the West to the Rest reshape international politics in the 21st century?
-Can states act effectively in a world increasingly shaped by international institutions and global economic actors?

Placements

You may have the opportunity to undertake a placement, but it is not a formal requirement of the course. We encourage students to create their own, by fostering connections offered by the Careers Service. There is also the International Politics Careers Day, which explores career opportunities with international politics degrees and includes:
-Talks by speakers within the field (including alumni now working within the UK Department for International Development, the UK Ministry of Justice), UNESCO and the EU Commission.
-Talks by careers consultants and volunteering coordinators.
-Drop-in sessions with careers professionals focusing on CV writing, applications and volunteering.

Academic facilities

As part of the University of London you can also become a member of Senate House Library for free with your student ID card.

Teaching and learning

The course is taught by academics within the department with industry professionals offering insight in the form of talks for the Practitioner Series. This is a programme of talks from visiting speakers and alumni working within organisations such as The Refugee Council and Amnesty International.

The staff within our Department of International Politics are research active, enthusiastic and passionate about their work. Often this research and influence leads to policy change and many media appearances. Find out more about International Politics staff.
You can follow our staff’s activity through their Twitter feed: @cityintpolitics

Assessment

Each taught module is assessed by an essay, either a 5,000-word essay for 30 credit modules or a 3,000-word essay for 15 credit modules. Your final MA marks are derived from a combination of your essay and dissertation grades.

You are required to submit a dissertation of 15,000 words in an area linked to the MA degree. Your dissertation topic will be agreed with your personal tutor/supervisor.

Your work will be assessed by coursework alone, there are no exams. Many students develop their key interest first when they choose their elective modules, then when they write their essays, and finally when they write their dissertation over the summer term.

Modules

The structure of this MA means you can design your own degree. The core module 'Theories of International Politics' is taught in the first term. Throughout the year you can choose elective modules that suit your interests. You can also opt to study across departments with optional modules from the Department of Sociology and The City Law School.

Core modules
-Theories of International Politics (30 credits)
-International Politics Research Workshop
-International Politics Dissertation (60 credits)

Elective modules - choose 60 credits
Typical modules offered by the Department of International Politics:
-Understanding security in the 21st century (15 credits)
-International organisations in global politics (15 credits)
-Development and international politics (15 credits)
-Religion in global politics (15 credits)
-Global capitalism: past, present and future (30 credits)
-Global political economy (30 credits)
-Political economy of global finance (15 credits)
-The politics of forced displacement and resettlement (15 credits)
-Global governance (15 credits)
-International politics of the Middle East (15 credits)
-Global financial governance (15 credits)
-Strategy, diplomacy and decision-making (30 credits)
-US foreign policy (15 credits)
-Foreign policy analysis (15 credits)
-Economic diplomacy (15 credits)

Typical modules offered by the Sociology Department:
-Developments in communication policy (30 credits)
-Transnational media and communication (30 credits)
-Criminal minds (15 credits)
-Crime news (15 credits)

Typical modules offered by The City Law School:
-International human rights in law and practice (30 credits)
-Human rights in the EU (30 credits)
-International criminal law: crimes & institutions (30 credits)
-Law and war (30 credits)
-Minorities and indigenous people in international law (30 credits)
-International law & the use of force (30 credits)

Career prospects

The skills you will take away from this programme – those of research, analysis and presentation – are highly valued by employers. In 2014-15, 87.5% of City's International Politics graduates were in employment or further study six months after graduation. Current graduates now work within the following organisations:
-Amnesty International
-European External Action Service
-International Crisis Group
-Ministry of Economy and Finance
-The Open Rights Group
-The Grass Roots Group
-The United Nations
-UNESCO
-US Embassy

From government agencies to NGOs and human rights organisations, the course gives you the perfect foundation to prepare for a career in a wide range of fields. You will graduate with the ability to undertake in-depth research, challenge received explanations of topics in social and political life and to examine and critically evaluate the complex structure of relationships between governments, transnational actors, transnational networks and intergovernmental or governmental organisations.

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About the course

The global challenges of the twenty first century place important demands on students of international politics. Not only do we need to understand the ongoing changes in the nature of war and conflict, but we are also today faced with important transformations in global power relations, international flows of goods, people and diseases and, indeed, shifts in the nature of political communities on the globe. Whatever your background, whether in international politics or another discipline, this flagship MA programme provides you with the necessary tools to tackle these shifting landscapes.

The scheme will introduce you, first, to the core notions that help shape the analysis of and the practices of international politics but also encourages you to think creatively about the kinds of concepts we need today to capture complex political realities. Taught by a team of world-leading research staff, the core module will challenge you to reflect on the way you think about international politics and the issues facing individuals, societies, states and humanity as a whole. Beyond the core module students pursue their own interests by choosing specialist modules. The options, ranging from the study of war, conflict, strategy and security to the study of global order, international theory and ethics, are designed to stimulate you in pursuing your own path to an advanced study of international relations.

At the heart of the scheme is a desire to expose students to envisioning new, different, better ways forward in our efforts to cope with the challenging political, military, social, economic and environmental contexts we live in today.

MA students taking this course will be integrated into the unique world-leading research culture, including contributing to research groups, participating in a range of events, seminars and round-tables, and attending the weekly departmental research seminar. Whether you are interested in understanding the conceptual underpinnings of international politics or tackling practical policy implications by taking this flagship Masters degree you will be part of a department at the forefront of understanding and tackling the challenges of ‘how we might live’ in the 21st century.

Why study International Politics at Aberystwyth?

Founded in 1919 after the end of World War I, the Department of International Politics at Aberystwyth is the world’s first university department of International Politics. The Department is renowned for its pioneering research and is recognised as number one in the UK for the study of international politics. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (2014), the Department of International Politics was placed best in Wales with 76% of publications submitted rated as world leading and internationally excellent. This research excellence is mirrored in our teaching, as evidenced in the recent 2016 National Student Satisfaction survey. The 2016 NSS placed us in the top ten in the UK and best in Wales among Politics and International Relations departments, with 95% overall Student satisfaction, well above the average for the subject nationally. Our staff’s commitment to excellence in both teaching and research, provides you with an outstanding and dynamic learning environment. Finally our Department’s vibrant and cosmopolitan learning environment welcomes students from all over the world, and provides a lively venue for contemporary and international political debate.

This degree will suit you:

• If you want to study international relations at advanced level
• If you wish to develop a critical appreciation of past and contemporary international politics
• If you wish to nurture a career in areas such as international diplomacy, journalism or the NGO-sector or if you wish to work internationally
• If you desire formal recognition of skills highly sought-after by any postgraduate employer

Course structure

The MA in International Politics pursued through the Specialist Pathway is the traditional Masters degree which offers the opportunity to for students to pursue specialised, advanced, subject-specific study in the discipline of international politics. Students following this pathway take the degree scheme core module (compulsory), two modules from a basket of options, and three further modules chosen from the baskets or any Masters options taught by the Department (including a maximum of one module offered by another department). More information on modules available from other departments is available at: http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/modules/. Finally students complete a 13-15,000 word dissertation.

Core modules:

Dissertation
International Politics
Principles Of Research Design
Qualitative Data Collection And Analysis
Qualitative Data Collection And Analysis (1120)
Quantitative Data Collection And Analysis
Research In Politics And International Studies

Optional modules:

Cyber Security
Politics, Media, Performance: Transdisciplinary Critical Frameworks
Power And Postwar Reconstruction: A Critical Approach
The State Through The Ages
Thoughts Of War: Strategic Theory & Thinkers (s)
Understanding Wales In An Age Of Global Transformation
Critical Security Studies: Contemporary Theories
Intelligence, Security And International Politics Since 1945
International Communications In Asia-pacific: Power, Peoples And Propaganda
Islam And Modernity
Political Responsibility In A Globalized World
Postcolonial Politics

Contact time

In Semester One you will normally have eight hours per week of specific Research Training Modules and one two-hour seminar per week for the degree scheme core module. In Semester Two you will normally have one two-hour seminar per week for each of the three modules you take (one Research Training specific and two subject specific modules). You will also have contact with academic staff through participation in research groups, attendance in departmental research seminars and masters workshops and through staff office hours (two one hour sessions per week). There will also be additional sessions working towards developing your master’s dissertation. During semester three you will arrange your level of contact time with your assigned supervisor.

Assessment

Assessment will be through a combination of examinations, project work, short reports, essays and dissertation. It may, depending on the modules chosen, include seminar presentations, review essays and literature searches.

Employability

Every course at Aberystwyth University is designed to enhance your vocational and general employability. Your Masters will place you in the jobs market as a highly-trained international politics specialist with a strength in depth of knowledge on vital subjects such as conflict, power, peace, justice and injustice, security, the global distribution of wealth and resources and trust in world politics. You will also graduate with a wealth of postgraduate-level skills which are transferable into any workplace. On the research training pathway you also develop advanced skills in quantitative and qualitative research skills and data analysis. In addition, the prestige of masters from our department of International Relations wills open doors for you into workplaces in every industry.

Study skills

Alongside the wealth of world-class critical expertise, you will master highly desirable skills in academic research, analysis, argument-formation, presentation and debate. The research training pathway provides you with a specific set of study skills focused on interrogating and analysing a range of different types of data from multiple sources. You will also prove your abilities in reflection and self-improvement; you will be able to identify your academic weaknesses and remove them whilst building on your strengths.

Self-Motivation and discipline

Studying at Masters level requires discipline and self-motivation from every candidate. You will have access to the expertise and helpful guidance of departmental staff, but you are ultimately responsible for devising and completing a sustained programme of scholarly research in pursuit of your Masters degree. This process of independent study at an extremely high level will strengthen your skills as an independent and self-sufficient worker, a trait prized by most employers.

Transferable skills

The International relations Masters programme is designed to give you a range of transferable skills that you can apply in a variety of employment contexts. Upon graduation, you will have proven your abilities in structuring and communicating ideas efficiently, writing for and speaking to a range of audiences, evaluating and organizing information, working effectively with others and working within time frames and to specific deadlines. You will also have advanced skills in data analysis that can be applied in a wide variety of work environments from business to the public sector and non-governmental organisations.

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Study International Politics and Human Rights at City, and discover why you will never read international news in the same way again.

Who is it for?

The International Politics and Human Rights programme is for students who want to explore international politics and human rights more widely and then drill down to specialise their knowledge. The MA is designed to give you the chance to create your own questions about the way the world works – and to shape arguments where you feel it doesn’t. These are some of the questions the course poses:
-Do human rights offer universal protections, or do they provide ideological cover for neo-imperialist powers?
-Can human rights provide protection to individuals in a way that supersedes the nation-state, or do they serve the interests of powerful states?
-Should human rights be concerned with the minimalist needs of security and subsistence, or should they aspire to grander visions of global justice?

Objectives

This is a course where you will challenge your own point of view. We unpick the ideas that structure the way we understand the world, so we can identify how those understandings shape global events. We then focus on how the way we view things may, in itself, be ethically problematic.

International Politics and Human Rights is an evolving subject so you explore unique specialisms backed by real-world research. The department’s academics are actively shaping policy, sitting on the advisory board for the Corbyn shadow cabinet, hosting talks on the human right to housing in London, and engaging in study groups around the Obama presidency. This keeps the content of the course effective and current, giving students a contemporary lens from which to view rapid political change.

Placements

You have the opportunity to undertake a placement, but it is not a formal requirement of the course. We encourage students to create their own, by fostering connections offered by the Careers Service. There is also the International Politics Careers Day, which explores career opportunities with international politics degrees and includes:
-Talks by speakers within the field (including alumni now working within the UK Department for International Development, the UK Ministry of Justice), UNESCO and the EU Commission.
-Talks by careers consultants and volunteering coordinators.
-Drop-in sessions with careers professionals focusing on CV writing, applications and volunteering.

Academic facilities

As part of the University of London you can also become a member of Senate House Library for free with your student ID card.

Teaching and learning

The course is taught by academics within the department with industry professionals offering insight in the form of talks for the Practitioner Series. This is a programme of talks from visiting speakers and alumni working within organisations such as The Refugee Council and Amnesty International.

Academic staff

The staff within our Department of International Politics are research active, enthusiastic and passionate about their work. Often this research and influence leads to policy change and many media appearances. Find out more about International Politics staff.
You can follow our staff’s activity through their Twitter feed: @cityintpolitics

Assessment

Each taught module is assessed by an essay, either a 5,000-word essay for 30 credit modules or a 3,000-word essay for 15 credit modules. Your final MA marks are derived from a combination of your essay and dissertation grades.

You are required to submit a dissertation of 15,000 words in an area linked to the MA degree. Your dissertation topic will be agreed with your personal tutor/supervisor.

Your work will be assessed by coursework alone, there are no exams.Many students develop their key interest first when they choose their elective modules, then when they write their essays, and finally when they write their dissertation over the summer term.

Modules

The structure of this MA means you can design your own degree. The first core module Human Rights and the Transformation of World Politics l is taught in the first term and Global Ethics: Principles, Power and Politics, is taught in the second term. Throughout the year you can choose elective modules that suit your interests. You can also opt to study across departments with optional modules from the Department of Sociology and The City Law School.

You take two 30-credit core modules, one in each term, totalling 60 credits. You will then take elective modules totalling 60 credits, which include 15 and 30 credit options, and complete your 60 credit dissertation in the third term as a student on the full-time programme (with submission in September of that year). You must also attend the dissertation workshops that are offered by the department, as it is a compulsory and important part of the MA programme.

Core modules
-Human Rights and the Transformation of World Politics IPM118 (30 credits)
-Global Ethics: Principles, Power and Politics IPM117 (30 credits)
-International Politics dissertation IPM111 (60 credits)

Elective modules - choose 60 credits
Typical modules offered by the Department of International Politics:
-Understanding Security in the 21st Century (15 credits)
-International Organisations in Global Politics (15 credits)
-Theories of International Politics (30 credits)
-Development and International Politics (15 credits)
-Religion in Global Politics (15 credits)
-Global Capitalism: Past, Present and Future (30 credits)
-Political Economy of Global Finance (15 credits)
-The Politics of Forced Migration (15 credits)
-Global Governance (15 credits)
-International Politics of the Middle East (15 credits)
-Global Financial Governance (15 credits)
-Strategy, Diplomacy and Decision-making (30 credits)
-US Foreign Policy (15 credits)
-Foreign Policy Analysis (15 credits)
-Economic Diplomacy (15 credits)
-Global Political Economy: Contemporary Approaches (30 credits)

Typical modules offered by the Department of Sociology:
-Developments in Communication Policy (30 credits)
-Transnational Media and Communication (30 credits)
-Criminal Minds (15 credits)
-Crime News (15 credits)

Typical modules offered by The City Law School:
-International Human Rights in Law and Practice (30 credits)
-Human Rights in the EU (30 credits)
-International Criminal Law: Crimes & Institutions (30 credits)
-Law and War (30 credits)
-Minorities and Indigenous People in International Law (30 credits)
-International Law & The Use of Force (30 credits)

*MA International Politics and Human Rights students have access to additional LLM options with The City Law School.

Career prospects

The skills you will take away from this programme – those of research, analysis and presentation – are highly valued by employers. In 2016 70% of City's International Politics graduates were in employment or further study six months after graduation. Current graduates now work within the following organisations:
-UNESCO
-Amnesty International
-The Open Rights Group
-The Grass Roots Group
-The United Nations
-US Embassy
-International Crisis Groupp
-Ministry of Economy and Finance
-European External Action Service

From human rights organisations to NGOs and government agencies, the course gives you the perfect foundation to prepare for a career in a wide range of fields. You will graduate with the ability to undertake in-depth research, challenge received explanations of topics in social and political life and to examine and critically evaluate the complex structure of relationships between governments, transnational actors, transnational networks and intergovernmental or governmental organisations.

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This programme surveys the new security challenges confronting societies in an era of economic, social and political globalization, and provides a thorough grounding in the academic study of international politics.

Why study International Politics & Security at Dundee?

This course offers a comprehensive analysis of international and global political issues. It focuses on some of the most contentious areas of international politics, including transatlantic relations, the future of the European Union and the re-emergence of Russia as a global political force. It also provides a thorough grounding in the academic study of international politics, focusing on the theoretical approaches and methods of analysis that constitute the bedrock of any serious postgraduate research in this field.

This course is a pathway on the MLitt in Humanities with Specialisation programme.

What's so good about International Politics & Security at Dundee?

While politics at Dundee is big enough to have a real international presence, it is still small and intimate enough to offer a friendly and responsive home for students from all backgrounds. This is more than a mere claim - independent surveys consistently rate politics at Dundee as among the best-received programmes in the country.

The Centre for International Politics and Security hosts a regular series of research seminars, featuring invited speakers from a range of academic and governmental institutions. Two internationally recognised scholarly journals are edited by our politics staff: 'The Journal of Transatlantic Studies' and 'Perspectives on European Politics and Society'.

Who should study this course?

The programme is suitable for students who want a springboard for a career related to international politics or who wish to continue postgraduate study in this subject area.

How you will be taught

All the core teaching is conducted 5.30-7.30pm to allow attendance by part-time and full-time students alike. Other classes are scheduled for the mutual convenience of staff and students. A variety of teaching methods will be used, including: small group teaching, supervised study, seminars and presentations.

What you will study

The course is taught via a range of core and optional modules, the typical list is given below.

Core modules:
Explaining and Understanding International Politics
International Security
Optional modules allow students to specialise, a typical choice includes:

International Security of Drugs & Organised Crime
Russian Politics & Security
European Union Security
The Middle East and Terrorism
Politics and Security in South Asia
Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism in Europe
Human Rights in International Relations
The EU and China in the International Arena
All students must attempt the Politics dissertation.

Students whose dissertation fails to satisfy the examiners will be awarded the PG Diploma, provided that the taught elements of the course have been successfully completed.

How you will be assessed

By assessed coursework, examination and dissertation.

Careers

Graduates from the MLitt International Politics and Security have a wide range of career options. The knowledge and research skills gained in this programme would be an excellent basis for working in government, political parties, or the civil service. The focus of the programme on global issues and affairs provide a strong basis for pursuing a career in international political contexts, such as the European Union or the United Nations. Alternatively, the programme can be a stepping stone for work in civil society, such as charities, environmental organizations or other international non-profit organizations. Graduates can also put their communication, research and analytical skills to work in a range of careers in the public or private sectors, including education, finance or the media.

The Masters programme is an excellent basis for undertaking further postgraduate study in International Politics, such as a PhD, with a view to a full-time career in academia or research.

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About the course

The global challenges of the twenty first century place important demands on students of international politics. Not only do we need to understand the ongoing changes in the nature of war and conflict, but we are also today faced with important transformations in global power relations, international flows of goods, people and diseases and, indeed, shifts in the nature of political communities on the globe. Whatever your background, whether in international politics or another discipline, this flagship MA programme provides you with the necessary tools to tackle these shifting landscapes. With a wide range of modules and departmental expertise at your disposal, the scheme will expose you to envisioning new, different, better ways forward in our efforts to cope with the challenging political, military, social, economic and environmental contexts we live in today.

Why study MA International Politics at Aberystwyth University?

• Opportunity to study at the world’s first university department of International Politics

• Our Department is ranked in the top 40 in the world for academic reputation (QS, 2017)

• Opportunity to specialise in many different pathways such as security studies, postcolonial politics, theory/critical theory, and intelligence and strategic studies.

• Opportunity to integrate into the research culture of a department at the forefront of understanding and tackling the challenges of ‘how we might live’ in the 21st century.

• Opportunity to study in a challenging and highly stimulating intellectual environment and to engage with the most pressing and thought-provoking issues and topics in international politics.

• 76% of the Department’s publications were deemed either world leading or internationally excellent, making the Department the best in Wales and 7th in the UK - REF 2014

• The Department has over thirty academic and research staff, all of whom are research-active.

• The Department hosts a wide variety of academic events which postgraduate students are encouraged to attend, including guest lectures by leading experts and academics, round table discussions about past, present, and future international issues, and the weekly Departmental research seminars.

Course content

Core modules:

Cyber Security
Dissertation
International Communications In Asia-pacific: Power, Peoples And Propaganda
International Politics
Islam And Modernity
Politics, Media, Performance: Transdisciplinary Critical Frameworks
Power And Postwar Reconstruction: A Critical Approach
Understanding Wales In An Age Of Global Transformation

Optional modules:

The State Through The Ages
Thoughts Of War: Strategic Theory & Thinkers (s)
Critical Security Studies: Contemporary Theories
Intelligence, Security And International Politics Since 1945
Political Responsibility In A Globalized World
Postcolonial Politics

Contact time

During the first two semesters you will normally take one two-hour seminar per module per week. You will also have contact with academic staff through participation in research groups, attendance in departmental research seminars and masters workshops and through staff office hours (two one hour sessions per week). There will also be additional sessions working towards developing your master’s dissertation. During semester three you will arrange your level of contact time with your assigned supervisor.

Assessment

Assessment will be through a combination of essays, project work, short reports, book reviews and dissertation. It may, depending on the modules chosen, include seminar presentations, review essays and literature searches.

Skills

This Masters programme emphasises the development of strong research, writing and analytical skills as well as the capacity to work independently - qualities highly valued by employers. A Masters is also ideal for students who want to pursue PhD research. This MA Programme will empower you to:

• Develop your abilities in structuring and communicating complex ideas efficiently
• Write for and speak to a range of audiences
• Evaluate and organise information
• Work effectively with others
• Work within time frames and to specific deadlines

Careers

Our graduates have expansive career opportunities.

Previous graduates from our Department have gone on to work:

• in the development sector
• in local and national politics
• for the Diplomatic Service
• for the Civil Service
• for NGOs
• with international organisations
• as journalists
• within academia
• as governmental and social researchers
• for Foreign Offices
• for the military
• in leadership roles in business/industry (CEOs/Chairmans)
• as political assistants
• as teachers, lawyers and accountants

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About the course

The MPhil in International Politics is a research-based Masters, which provides an opportunity to research and write a 60,000-word thesis on a topic of your choosing and fits with the research interests of the Department. This will provide you with an opportunity to undertake in-depth and extended research, developing detailed conceptual and/or empirical knowledge and a range of critical research skills.

The Department is renowned for its pioneering research in the field of International Politics. The results of the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) confirm that the Department of International Politics continues to be one of the UK’s leading academic departments for research in International Relations. With 76% of the publications submitted by the Department judged to be in the top two categories (world leading and internationally excellent), International Politics at Aberystwyth University was ranked 7th in all departments of Politics and International Relations, and was placed best in Wales with 69% of publications submitted rated as world leading. This positions the department as an exceptionally strong place to undertake the type of in-depth postgraduate research required of an MPhil.

Duration

Students are registered and pay fees for one year full time (September to September), two years part time, and have an additional writing up year after their registration period has finished.

Contact time

During your MPhil you will be assigned a primary and secondary supervisor. During term-time you will normally meet with your primary supervisor every two weeks for approximately an hour. The frequency and duration of the meetings may vary depending on the stage of the research and/or writing. MPhil students also are normally advised to take advantage of the excellent research training modules available. These would entail approximately eight hours of seminars per week in Semester One and a two hour seminar per week in Semester Two.

Assessment

The completed thesis will be assessed via an oral examination.

Employability

Every course at Aberystwyth University is designed to enhance your vocational and general employability. Your MPhil will place you in the jobs market as a highly-trained international politics specialist with an in depth knowledge of your chosen subject. You will also graduate with a wealth of postgraduate-level skills which are transferable into any workplace. If you opt to take the research training modules, you will also develop advanced skills in quantitative and qualitative research skills and data analysis In addition, the prestige of the Masters in Philosophy (MPhil) from the Department of International Politics will open doors for you into workplaces in every industry.

Study skills

Alongside the wealth of world-class critical expertise, you will master highly desirable skills in academic research, analysis, argument-formation, presentation and debate. The research training options provide you with a specific set of study skills focused on interrogating and analysing a range of different types of data from multiple sources. You will also prove your abilities in reflection and self-improvement; you will be able to identify your academic weaknesses and remove them whilst building on your strengths.

Self-Motivation and discipline

Studying for an MPhil requires a great deal of discipline and self-motivation from every candidate. You will have access to the expertise and helpful guidance of departmental staff, but you are ultimately responsible for devising and completing a sustained programme of scholarly research and writing in pursuit of your MPhil degree. This process of independent study at an extremely high level will strengthen your skills as an independent and self-sufficient worker, a trait prized by most employers.

Transferable skills

The MPhil programme is designed to give you a range of transferable skills that you can apply in a variety of employment contexts. Upon graduation, you will have proven your abilities in structuring and communicating ideas efficiently, writing for and speaking to a range of audiences, evaluating and organizing information, working effectively with others and working within time frames and to specific deadlines. If you take the research training options you will also have advanced skills in data analysis that can be applied in a wide variety of work environments from business to the public sector and non-governmental organisations.

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This programme offers a thorough academic analysis of one of the most salient and pressing issues in the contemporary world: the place of individual human rights in a system of international relations in which states’ rights have traditionally been paramount.

Why this programme

◾If you plan a career with non-governmental organisations, in related domestic, European and other global institutions, or in higher education, or want to learn more about human rights and international politics, this programme is designed for you.
◾You will have the opportunity to participate in a 5-day study trip to Geneva to visit the UN and non-governmental human rights organisations.
◾The interdisciplinary degree is designed to ensure you will encounter both legal and political perspectives, unlike most other human rights programmes which are exclusively focused on law. You can choose to focus on one domain more than the other.
◾The programme draws on recognised expertise in international institutions, security, gender, political philosophy, theories of rights, and ethics and normative theory, as well as a wide variety of country and regional expertise.
◾You will benefit from access to a number of organisations within and beyond the University, including the Glasgow Human Rights Network; The Glasgow Refugee, Asylum & Migration Network; The Glasgow Centre for International Development; and the annual International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival.
◾If you wish to combine the study of this subject with additional advanced training in research methods, you should consider the closely-related MRes in Human Rights & International Politics..

Programme structure

YYou will take four core and two optional courses. Courses will be delivered via lectures and seminars. Some courses contain an exam. You will also submit a dissertation at the end of the programme.

Core courses
◾Critical perspectives on human rights (Politics)
◾Fundamentals of international law (Law)
◾Human rights and global politics (Politics)
◾Qualitative research methods OR Research design.

Optional courses
◾China's international politics
◾Chinese politics and society
◾Comparative public opinion
◾Environmental policies and problems in China
◾EU in international politics and development
◾Foreign policy of the United States
◾Humanitarian intervention
◾International human rights law
◾International organisations
◾International relations and development
◾International relations research
◾International relations theory
◾International security and strategic thought
◾Internet and civil society
◾Media and democracy
◾Political institutions communication
◾United Nations law.

Career prospects

Career opportunities include positions in higher education, government/foreign ministry, intergovernmental organisations, non-governmental organisations and think tanks.

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The Department of Politics and International Studies offers seven linked masters programmes in politics and the international politics of Asia and Africa. The MSc in International Politics might be classified as a disciplinary MSc. In it, the objective is to give the student the opportunity to undertake a rigorous training in political theory, with special reference to the study of politics outside Europe and America. At Masters level there is particular emphasis on seminar work. Students make full-scale presentations for each unit that they take, and are expected to write substantial papers that often require significant independent work.

Visit the website http://www.soas.ac.uk/politics/programmes/mscintpol/

Teaching & Learning

Courses are taught by a combination of methods, principally lectures, tutorial classes, seminars and supervised individual study projects.

The MSc programme consists of three taught courses (corresponding to three examination papers) and a dissertation.

- Lectures

Most courses involve a 50-minute lecture as a key component with linked tutorial classes.

- Seminars

At Masters level there is particular emphasis on seminar work. Students make full-scale presentations for each unit that they take, and are expected to write papers that often require significant independent work.

- Dissertation

A quarter of the work for the degree is given over to the writing of an adequately researched 10,000-word dissertation. Students are encouraged to take up topics which relate the study of a particular region to a body of theory.

Learning Resources

- SOAS Library
SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.

Employment

SOAS MSc International Politics students leave SOAS not only with a knowledge and understanding of the complex political and cultural issues of international politics, but also with a portfolio of widely transferable skills which employers seek in many professional and management careers, both in business and in the public sector.

For more information about Graduate Destinations from this department, please visit the Careers Service website (http://www.soas.ac.uk/careers/graduate-destinations/).

Faculty of Law and Social Sciences (L&SS)

Welcome to the Faculty of Law and Social Sciences at SOAS. The faculty is the largest in the School in terms of student and staff numbers and consists of the departments of Development Studies, Economics, Financial and Management Studies, Politics and International Studies and the School of Law, as well as the Asia-Pacific Centre for Social Sciences, the Centre for Gender Studies, the Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy, the Centre of Taiwan Studies and a number of department-specific centres. All five departments offer undergraduate programmes, and all but Finance and International Management offer joint undergraduate degrees which can be combined with other disciplines from across the School. Each department also offers a range of masters-level programmes with a regional or disciplinary specialism, as well as a postgraduate research programme. The range of course options and combinations is one of the most distinctive characteristics of studying at SOAS and all students are given the option of studying an Asian or African language, either as part of or on top of their degree.

Staff in the faculty come from all over the world and combine regional knowledge with disciplinary specialisms. Teaching draws heavily on academic staff’s individual research which allows the faculty to maintain a large portfolio of courses, often exploring cutting-edge issues. Many faculty members have played a significant part in public debates and policy-making in relation to Asia and Africa. Academics in the faculty are regularly consulted by governments, public bodies and multilateral organisations including the United Nations and the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, European Commission, DFID and other country-specific organisations and NGOs.

-Excellent student satisfaction for Faculty of Law and Social Sciences
The Faculty of Law and Social Sciences (LSS) at SOAS, University of London has performed extremely well according to the 2014 National Student Survey (NSS).

Find out how to apply here - http://www.soas.ac.uk/admissions/pg/howtoapply/

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The objective of the course is to develop students' knowledge of international politics with a comprehensive empirical approach to understanding many prominent problems in contemporary world politics, especially topics where domestic and international politics cannot be understood in isolation from each other. These topics include democratisation, international cooperation, development and foreign aid, international conflict as well as the politics of many environmental issues and their implications for the politics of developing countries. Students will also receive training in research methods.

This course aims to provide students with the necessary skills for a range of research-related careers in the fields of applied policy research, business, government, law, media, international aid, and international governmental and non-governmental organizations. It also will provide a solid foundation for progress to research PhDs.

The course is of twelve months duration, on a full time basis. Teachings starts in September and the M.Sc. concludes with the submission of a dissertation the following August.

The M.Sc. course consists of the following modules: International Politics, Democratisation, Development Policy, Principles of Research Design, International Environmental Policy, International Political Economy, International Organisation, International Conflict and Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods. In addition, students will complete a dissertaion of approximately 10,000 words in length. Students who fail to achieve a satisfactory mark for the dissertation element may be eligible for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Political Science.

Admission Requirements

Candidates should normally have achieved an upper second class honour degree, or higher from an established university. GPA scores of at least 3.3 out of 4, or equivalent, will be expected from international applicants. A background in a social science will be an advantage but not a necessity. Applications are expected from candidates with a single or joint honours degree in Political Science, Economics, European Studies, History, Sociology, Business and Law.

Applicants must, in addition to the College requirement to provide academic transcripts and two letters of recommendation, provide a motivation letter and one piece of written work (for example an undergraduate dissertation or essay).

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This Double Masters in Governance and International Politics is an exciting new educational programme which allows students to develop a deep understanding of issues of contemporary research in the field of governance and international politics, whilst benefitting from the combined expertise of teaching staff in two institutions. This two-year programme provides students with an exceptional opportunity to pursue a Double Masters giving them an unparalleled understanding of issues in governance and international politics that is enhanced and enriched by the mix of both British and German perspectives.

Subject guide & modules

The following modules are indications only - the modules on offer and the content of the modules is subject to change.
Core modules:
-International Relations Theory
-Globalisation, Regionalism and Global Governance

Elective modules:
-Research Methods
-Leaders and Leadership in a European and Global Context
-Europe’s Regions and their Governance
-Asia-Europe Relations: Between Interregionalism and Bilateralism
-Religion and Politics
-Security and Defence in Europe
-International Political Communication
-International Ethics and Literature
-Transatlantic Relations in Historical Perspective: The US and Europe
-International Security
-Comparative and International Political Economy

Learning, teaching & assessment

You will take part in interactive seminars, discussion and simulation exercises, as well as undertaking group project work. There are also opportunities for individual research and guided study. MA students are a fundamental part of the intellectual life of the Politics and International Relations study group. All students on MA programmes take part in the regular series of guest lectures and research seminars on issues of contemporary political relevance as well as taking part in the conferences and events organised and hosted by the Aston Centre for Europe and by the study group. All students have the opportunity to take part in a week long study trip to visit the EU institutions and related organisation in Brussels.

All students are allocated a personal tutor at the start of their studies; this member of academic staff can offer individual study advice and guidance and is there to help support your studies.

Assessments on the MA programme take a wide variety of forms, ranging from essays and examinations through to policy reports, briefings and campaign portfolios.

Career prospects

All of our MA Programmes equip students with the knowledge and analytical and transferable skills to pursue further postgraduate research or a successful career in the public and private sector. The careers pursued by our students vary greatly, but typical careers include:
-Employment in international organisations (EU, WTO, UN etc.)
-Research in policy-oriented domestic or international think tanks
-Careers in government administration
-Further postgraduate research at PhD level
-Journalism
-International marketing or business

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On the MA International Politics, you will learn from world-leading academics who are pushing the boundaries of the discipline to develop fresh perspectives and ideas. The MA in International Politics consolidates International Relations and Security Studies in masters programme. The core themes covered in this programme are:
• International Relations
• Global politics
• Security studies
• Sociological IR
• Critical non-western and feminist perspectives

As well as deepening your understanding of mainstream approaches, you will be exposed to important new analytical insights such as sociological understandings of international relations, critical security studies, non-Western international relations, and intersectionality.

You will critically engage with the discipline to consider both the formal and informal power relationships within world politics, an awareness of the importance of cultural and social practices, and an ability to question some of the assumptions that have traditionally defined the discipline to the exclusion of important issues such as gender, race and class. As well as focusing on critical theoretical debates, students on the MA in International Politics will also explore the real world in all its complexity, and you will be able to choose from innovative modules that examine the most urgent issues in world politics.

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Develop your understanding of the interplay between the domestic, regional and international levels of politics and decision-making.

You’ll examine the political context of different countries, and how this influences their foreign policies. You have the opportunity to specialise in the regional politics of South Asia, East Asia or Europe.

The MA covers:
-Political science methods
-International politics
-Comparative governance

Our MA is for you if you wish to gain an analytical understanding of real-world decision-making in international politics in different world regions.

How will I study?

You’ll study core modules and options in the spring and autumn terms. In the summer, you work on your dissertation.

Modules are assessed by a combination of:
-Essays
-Portfolios
-Unseen exams

You also write a 15,000-word dissertation.

Internship

You have the opportunity to take up an internship to put the theories and concepts learned in the seminar room in to practice.

Specialist facilities

Politics at Sussex is based in the state-of-the-art Freeman Centre, which offers outstanding study and computing facilities for MA, MPhil and PhD students, who are fully integrated with academic staff.

To complement the international orientation of our degrees, the excellent Sussex Centre for Language Studies provides taught modules and self-study facilities for a wide range of languages including Arabic, French, German, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Russian and Spanish.

The University Library is a European Documentation Centre, and Library holdings in the fields of European institutions, economics and politics are particularly strong.

Scholarships

Our aim is to ensure that every student who wants to study with us is able to despite financial barriers, so that we continue to attract talented and unique individuals.

Chancellor's International Scholarship (2017)
-25 scholarships of a 50% tuition fee waiver
-Application deadline: 1 May 2017

HESPAL Scholarship (Higher Education Scholarships Scheme for the Palestinian Territories) (2017)
-Two full fee waivers in conjuction with maintenance support from the British Council
-Application deadline: 1 January 2017

USA Friends Scholarships (2017)
-A scholarship of an amount equivalent to $10,000 for nationals or residents of the USA on a one year taught Masters degree course.
-Application deadline: 3 April 2017

Careers

Our MA provides the skills for a career in a broad variety of different fields at the intersection between the domestic and the international.

In particular, you are well placed to work in:
-Government
-International institutions
-NGOs
-Think tanks
-Journalism

The course also prepares you for further academic studies or a research course in politics or international relations.

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This course reflects the particular values of Peace Studies at Bradford, with a curriculum that provides a thorough grounding in the theoretical and empirical foundations of the discipline whilst also offering students the opportunity to engage with the core questions of peace and security that animate the research work of lecturers here.

Our research is founded on an understanding that no single discipline on its own is sufficient to comprehend the dynamics of issues as complex as war, world hunger, sustainable development and social justice, or problems as challenging as negotiating our differences in culture and belief.

You will acquire subject-specific knowledge and understanding of:
-Theories and concepts of peace and conflict and their application to global, regional and local contexts
-The nature and significance of politics, security and co-operation as global, regional and local activities
-The origins and evolution of the international political and security system, including contemporary changes

You will also acquire an ability to evaluate different interpretations of world political and security events and issues and to articulate such evaluation at a recognised postgraduate level.

For more information on the part time version of this course, please view this web-page: http://www.brad.ac.uk/study/courses/info/international-politics-and-security-studies-ma-part-time

Modules

Core modules
-International Politics and Security Studies
-Introduction to Peace Studies
-Regional and Global Security Politics
-Dissertation project in a topic of your choice (related to International Politics and Security Studies)

Option modules
-Fragile States and the Security-Development Nexus
-Introduction to African Politics
-Religions, Conflict and Peacemaking in a Post-secular World
-The Authoritarian Challenge to Democracy
-Africa Study Visit
-African Security Studies
-Gender, Conflict and Development
-Natural Resource Governance, Conflict and Co-operation
-Peacekeeping, Peacebuilding and Statebuilding
-Political Violence and Terrorism
-East Asia Security Politics
-Sustainable Tourism Development

Career support and prospects

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website.

Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programmes there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.

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This course features distinctive contributions from critical international politics and human geography. It focuses on the key theories, approaches and thinkers in the study of geopolitics. It gives you insight into the political dynamics, consequences and discourses of contemporary geopolitics and how to think critically about these important political currents.

Taught by internationally renowned researchers, you will develop:
-Advanced knowledge and understanding in areas such as: contemporary critical geopolitics; international relations theory; international and regional studies politics topics; human geography
-Knowledge of methods in social science research and the techniques required to carry out advanced research
-Theoretical and practical research skills, including the synthesis of materials from a variety of primary and secondary sources

Our rigorous training in critical geopolitics, and research training in theories and approaches in the study of politics make this course a strong basis for a career with significant international dimensions or the pursuit of a postgraduate research degree in critical geopolitical studies.

We have a student-run Politics Postgraduate Society which brings together MA and PhD students to organise academic and social events. The Society runs:
-Professional development seminars, led by academic staff
-Seminars delivered by fellow postgraduates
-Round-table discussions with staff and visitors
-The 'New Voices' seminar series, for exciting young external speakers
-A weekly film night during term time

Facilities

You will enjoy the benefit of most teaching taking place in the Politics building with the Robinson Library next door. This space includes a dedicated postgraduate computer room and a postgraduate common room.

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This ESRC-recognised research-training programme gives you a broad and rigorous grounding in the study and methodologies of one of the most salient and pressing issues in the contemporary world: the place of individual human rights in a system of international relations in which states' rights have traditionally been paramount.

Why this programme

◾If you want to pursue a research-intensive career or doctoral studies, including under the ESRC 1+3 scheme, then this ESRC-recognised research-training programme is designed for you.
◾The programme draws on recognised expertise in international institutions, security, gender, political philosophy, theories of rights, and ethics and normative theory, as well as a wide variety of country and regional expertise.
◾The programme covers the same subject-specific material as the MSc in Human Rights & International Politics and provides additional advanced training in social research methods – ideal if you wish to pursue a PhD or a career in social research.
◾You will be offered the opportunity to participate in a 5-day study trip to Geneva to visit the UN and non-governmental human rights organisations.
◾You will benefit from access to a number of organisations within and beyond the University, including the Glasgow Human Rights Network; The Glasgow Refugee, Asylum & Migration Network; The Glasgow Centre for International Development; and the annual International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival.
◾The degree is genuinely interdisciplinary in content and structure, and is designed to ensure that you will encounter both legal and political perspectives. You can choose to focus on one domain more than the other.

Programme structure

You will take six core courses, as well as submit a dissertation. Teaching will be delivered through lectures, seminars and tutorials. You will also be able to take part in project and team work and an international study trip. Some courses contain an exam.

Core courses
◾Critical perspectives on human rights (Politics)
◾Fundamentals of international law (Law)
◾Human rights and global politics (Politics)
◾Qualitative research methods
◾Quantitative data analysis
◾Research design.

Career prospects

Career opportunities include positions in higher education, government/foreign ministry, intergovernmental organisations, non-governmental organisations and think tanks.

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