MA International Relations

If you're interested in national and international organisations, conflict and uncertainty, and how they are shaping contemporary international relations, our MA in International Relations will develop your grasp of the central issues.

You'll study issues related to civil society and security, such as weapons of mass destruction (WMD), terrorism and political violence, and explore the power of social movements, political resistance and rebellion.

You'll challenge conventional explanations, develop arguments, and participate in key debates about international relations and global politics. You'll develop advanced analytic skills and critical assessment abilities and learn to write engaging reports, policy briefs and essays.

When you graduate, you'll be in a strong position to generate creative solutions that benefit the global economy and international society. You will be suited for roles in security, development, social policy, governance, advocacy and communications. Previous graduates have worked in parliaments, political parties, third sector and civil society organisations.

Course highlights

• Immerse yourself in pressing topics, such as whether global civil society can promote security, development and rights, how terrorism and political violence shape domestic and political affairs, how nuclear and other security threats have evolved, and the role the EU endeavours to play in global politics
• Learn from passionate and experienced academics involved in leading international relations research on subjects including development NGOs and language, transnational civil society, and remote warfare
• Build up expertise in issues relating to security, risk and global civil society, and understand how to apply this to real-world problems as they happen
• Hear expert guest lecturers respond to current global events, the security dimensions and international ramifications, such as the conflict in Ukraine
• Develop a high level of specialist knowledge in an area of your choice through your dissertation

We’re proud to be a breath of fresh air in the academic world – a place where everyone gets the support they need to achieve their best. We’re always discovering. We don’t fit the mould, we break it. Just as the world keeps moving, so do we.

We’re closely involved with our local community, and we take our ideas into the global marketplace. We partner with businesses, industry, and government to set the course for a better future. And we educate and transform the lives of our students to help them achieve their potential. We stand out, not just in the UK but in the world. We excel in research areas from cosmology and astrophysics to cybersecurity, forensics, and sport science. Since the first day we opened our doors, we've looked towards the future. And we're here to help you shape it.