International Relations MA

University of Staffordshire

Our MA in International Relations will help you get to grips with what’s unfolding in real time. Find out about the changing global order and the power shifts towards China and other emerging economies. Learn about the role of organisations such as NATO and how the international economy affects what happens in Britain. And explore the threats to human security, such as a shortage of food and water, and how the international community should respond to state killings. You will also look at the way countries co-exist in the face of rapid change and the importance of policy-making and decisions at a global level. As part of the course, you will have the opportunity to choose a specialist pathway in intelligence. The MA is taught and assessed entirely online, giving you the flexibility to study anytime, anywhere. You will still get lots of tutor engagement and support, with world-class staff who bring a wealth of experience.You will use digital platforms for a weekly programme of study and will debate key topics with fellow students.It will also involve completing a dissertation on a research area of your choice. Recent dissertation topics have looked at issues focusing on aspects of China, Africa, gender, and cyber security. We attract a diverse range of students, who bring their own unique perspective to the MA. They include members of the armed forces from both the UK and other countries, who often fit their studies round deployment. Diplomats and aid workers have also joined the course in recent years, along with teachers and people from international think-tanks.This course offers fresh insights by familiarising students with the latest developments in the field and equipping students with an understanding of International Relations through the analysis of relevant contemporary international problems.The core modules enable you to examine the theories and concepts of International Relations and provide context for research concerns focused on this fascinating discipline. You will gain an understanding of the historical and theoretical contexts of International Relations to enable you to address the demands posed by global problems. Your dissertation will be supervised and guided by staff but it is a student-centred piece of independent work. Topics may be drawn from the areas covered in your module selection, or aligned to your personal experience, and your tutors will support you with the development of your research question.

School of Justice, Security and Sustainability