MA/PGDip in International Relations

The course explores issues and problems crucial to international politics. It promotes the study of those problems through theoretical, ethical and practical inquiry, drawing on the expertise of a large and diverse team of research-active international relations specialists. It is designed for those who are either familiar with the study of international politics at undergraduate level or who wish to focus on this area of study at the postgraduate level.

As a postgraduate student in the Department of Political Science and International Studies (POLSIS) you will have the opportunity to take part in a  wide range of events . You will also be welcomed as a member of the  International Relations and Security Theory  research group. This group includes members of academic staff and postgraduate research students who meet regularly to discuss their own research, recent publications and to organise research events including inviting visiting speakers.

The course covers both long established fields of study such as war, security, foreign policy and diplomacy and new research agendas such as rising powers, global justice, and gender issues. The core aims are to provide an introduction to International Relations Theory for those students new the subject and to ground theoretical studies in a range of concrete puzzles, problems and dilemmas. Gradually, week by week, we will develop a deep knowledge and understanding of this diverse field. A further aim is to prepare you to conduct independent research and analyses of international politics.

Key issues and questions examined include:

• What is the nature of international or world order?
• Which actors have power and how is power exercised?
• Why are there wars?
• What is ‘security’ and how can security be achieved at national, regional and international levels?
• When and how is international cooperation possible?
• Is there a relationship between democracy and peace?
• Are human rights universal?
• Is it possible to realize global justice?
• What are the legal and political condition for humanitarian intervention and can intervention be justified on ethical grounds?

Why study this course?

• Choose from an extensive range of optional modules
• Study in a supportive environment with research-active specialists in international relations
• Be a part of the International Relations and Security Theory research group
• Participate in a range of intellectual and social events alongside your programme

The College of Social Sciences brings together over 450 academics (including 90 professors) and over 360 professional staff across a range of disciplines and interdisciplinary fields. Around 25% of our staff are international and combined with over 42,500 global alumni representing over 185 countries, our work impacts all areas of society grounded in the key disciplines of business, economics, education, government and society, and social policy.

Why study at the University of Birmingham?

• We are a global Top 100 University and are ranked top 20 in multiple UK league tables
• We have been named the most targeted university by the UK’s top 100 graduate employers (The Graduate Market in 2021
• 87% of our research has a global impact (REF 2014)
• Numerous UoB alumni and staff have been involved with work recognised with Nobel prizes
• There is a wealth of employability support services available to students. The College and our Careers Network can provide you with practical advice and skills for career development. We also have excellent industrial links with global companies, such as Rolls Royce and Jaguar Land Rover, which allow opportunities for our students to gain insight and experience of the industry.
• You could receive a Commonwealth Scholarship worth £3,000 or a Global Masters Scholarship worth £10,000 if you start your studies in September 2021. Information and eligibility criteria for both awards is available on our website.