Home › Study › Postgraduate Programmes › MA/PGDip International Relations

MA/PGDip International Relations

The MA in International Relations from University of Birmingham will provide you with a thorough grounding in core issues and dilemmas in world politics the key theoretical debates that have shaped this field of study.

Quick Facts

  
Duration: 1 year (Full-Time)
2 years (Part-Time)
Starting in: September
Tuition Fee: £21,960 per year (MA)
£14,640 per year (PGDip)
Location: Birmingham, United Kingdom

The International Relations from University of Birmingham explores issues and problems crucial to international politics, which are of international, regional and national importance. 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 students who are either familiar with the study of international politics at undergraduate level or who are enthusiastic to focus on this area of study at the postgraduate level.

As a postgraduate student in POLSIS you will also have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of events. You will be welcomed as a member of the international relations and security 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 establish 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 build to the level of 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?

“The transition from undergrad to postgrad can be a big step up in terms of workload and what is expected of you, but there is so much support available to you as a postgrad student, from academic writing support (if you’ve been out of education for a few years or just want a bit of extra help) to mental health and wellbeing services. The careers support is fantastic – the uni puts on employer fairs throughout the year and you have access to one on one support from the Careers Network team, who can help you develop your skills ready for your next step!”

Emma Sutton // PhD Psychology

Careers

Graduates from the School have gone on to work in a range of careers, with recent graduates working with organisations such as the United Nations, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, local authorities in the UK and overseas and the Department for International Development.

The School takes employability very seriously and as well as linking students to the central careers services, also incorporates opportunities to enhance their employment prospects, including highlighting work experience opportunities, encouraging volunteering in extra-curricular projects (such as student seminars and events) and by inviting backgrounds for students to meet.

Requirements

  • For the MA programme you require a good Honours degree or its equivalent. For those whose first language is not English, an IELTS Certificate is required.

Learn more