MSc International Relations

University of Bristol

Engage in a comprehensive exploration of contemporary global politics, pairing rigorous theoretical training with detailed case analysis. From your first seminar, you will be encouraged to test the leading schools of thought in international relations against real-world examples, examining how ideas and evidence interact to shape policy and scholarly debate. Global dynamics today flow seamlessly across borders – trade disputes reverberate through domestic economies, financial shocks leap between markets, and climate crises, strategic rivalries, cultural narratives and ethical dilemmas cross continents in real time. This programme equips you to trace these interconnections and to understand how the 'domestic' and the 'international' constantly reshape one another. Study a wide body of literature and the field’s key debates, and refine the analytical skills needed to develop and defend your own perspectives on world affairs. Optional units enable you to tailor the degree to your interests, with opportunities to investigate culture and capitalism, climate change governance, gender and security, social movements, the digital economy, trade and finance, and broader questions of global transformation. Apply theoretical insights to specific issues in each unit, deepening both subject knowledge and methodological competence. Be challenged and inspired by internationally renowned scholars whose research addresses many of the most pressing challenges of the twenty-first century. Join an intellectually vibrant, inclusive learning environment where respectful debate and critical inquiry thrive. Become part of a diverse postgraduate community committed to understanding global politics and developing the tools needed to drive positive change. Benefit from the opportunity to focus on the issues you care about and make your own contribution to human knowledge through your dissertation. Guided by a dedicated supervisor, you will focus on the topic that matters most to you, producing original research that demonstrates your ability to gather evidence, analyse complexity, and communicate findings clearly. Gain a thorough grasp of the major theoretical traditions in the field and a nuanced appreciation of the forces reshaping international politics. Graduate with advanced research, writing and presentation skills valued in diplomacy, policy analysis, journalism, non-governmental advocacy and doctoral study, preparing you to engage critically and constructively with the challenges of an interconnected world.

Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences