International Relations (Specialist) - MA

I was delighted when I was offered a place on the MA programme at Aberystwyth. As I want to pursue a PhD in the future, I chose the research training pathway, as this gave me specific modules on how to conduct research, and the skills I would need to do it effectively.

Because I chose to study the research training path I was introduced to students from other disciplines, and brought new ideas to the forefront that I had not considered previously. Though I found some of the work challenging, I enjoyed the step up, and found the research modules delivered by the Graduate School to be of a high standard.

I was able to select a range of specialist modules which expanded upon my undergraduate studies and challenged my previous knowledge, bringing new ideas and new concepts which I had not previously considered. In these modules, you could choose your own essay topics, with support from lecturers. This ensures you choose topics you are really interested in. The dissertation module, delivered over the course of the year, gave me the chance to fully form my research question, before giving me the support I needed to write the 15,000 word piece.

As part of my MA study, I had to attend the International Politics Research Seminar lectures. These are lectures given by either lecturers or final year PhD students, and gave me insights into subjects I had never considered, and also gave me an idea of what being a postgraduate research student would be like. I thoroughly enjoyed these lectures, and gained a lot from them.

Alongside my academic work, I was an MA representatives that sat on the Staff Graduate Consultative Committee. I subsequently applied, and was appointed, to be my department's Postgraduate Representative, giving a voice to all postgraduate students in Interpol, History, Geography and Psychology. I sat on institute-wide committees, and also on the Students’ Union’s academic executive committee, looking at academic policy across the university.

I can’t recommend master’s study at Aberystwyth enough. The staff are fantastic and ensure you are fully supported in your studies. The seminars allow you to have a voice and articulate your own arguments, and by picking your own essay topics you are given the chance to really shape your own learning. The skills I gained from my degree have been really useful in my career.