StudyQA — Master: International Relations and Security

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Description Contents Requirements Funding

This MA offers a fantastic opportunity for postgraduate students from across the world to join in and learn about contemporary debates about the meaning of security, democracy and the role of political processes in International Relations. In the context of tightening employment prospects and increasing competitiveness among graduates for the best jobs, this MA programme offers a fantastic opportunity for you to enhance your career prospects by learning about international relations, academic methods and contemporary security debates.

One of the key characteristics of the programme is flexibility and choice, which allows you to pursue your own particular areas of interest through our optional pathways, many of which draw on the unique expert knowledge of staff in the Department of Politics i.e. International Relations and Security, Conflict Resolution, Political Communication and International Law.

The Department of Politics at the University of Liverpool has an internationally recognised expertise on topics of international relations and security. The University is ranked among the top 1% of Universities worldwide (THE 2013), and was ranked among the top 100 social science departments in the World (Guardian, 2011). We have a unique combination of expertise in international relations theory, non-state actor violence and resolution of conflicts.

The department puts a strong emphasis on high quality teaching. Classroom seminars and lectures are designed interactively and centre around student engagement. The overall satisfaction of University of Liverpool students rates 88% (NSS 2013). Likewise teaching staff are passionate about making complicated matters of international relations accessible to students. 90% of students are satisfied with Politics courses and even 98% are satisfied with the way in which staff explain content to them (NSS 2013).

The programme is designed to provide a constructive mixture of academic and practical skills over the course of 12 month (full time) or 24 month (part-time). There is a strong structure provided by the arrangement of compulsory modules on International Relations Theory, International Security, and Research Methods. However, one of the key characteristics we have sought to develop in the MA programme is flexibility and choice which allows you to pursue your own particular areas of interest through our optional pathways, many of which draw on the unique expert knowledge of staff in the Department of Politics i.e. International Relations and Security, Conflict Resolution, Political Communication and International Law.

The programme, based on the strength of the department, will furnish its participants with and advanced understanding of the key issues in international relations and security. There are four core modules, as follows:

International Relations module

The module will introduce you to International Relations theory and provide you with the necessary theoretical tool set to analyze issues of international security.

International System module

The international system module provides you with a comprehensive introduction to today’s international system and security challenges. In particular, the module will explore to what extent the International Relations theories can help us to understand today’s developments. The module draws on the unique expertise in the Department of Politics at Liverpool: violent non-state actors. We are experts on terrorism, international criminal actors, human trafficking, insurgents and private military and security companies.

Research Methods module

The research methods module will furnish you with the skill set to conduct investigations in a rigorous and scientific manner.

Dissertation module

In this module students will put all their research skill to work and develop a 12,000 – 15,000 word dissertation. One of the major advantages of the module is the freedom of choice: The student is free in choosing the research subject, theory and methodology.

The core modules are complemented by optional modules. Students are free to choose three modules at their own discretion. Still, the programme design provides pathways suggestions (which are not mandatory) in order to assure coherency of studies. Each pathway is designed to complement the core modules, yet offers a unique additional specialization and qualification.

Pathway I: International Relations and Security

The pathway would deepen you understanding on matters international relations and security discussed in the core modules.

POLI130 – The International Politics of the Mediterranean and the Middle East
POLI150 – Contemporary Anti-Slavery, Forced Labour and Human Rights
POLI 303 – Intelligence and Security
ENVS434 – Space, Power & Culture
POLI114 – Europe and the World

Pathway II: Conflict Resolution

The conflict resolution pathway complements the discussions on conflict, violence and security in the core modules as it provides a deeper insights into conflict analysis and peaceful conflict solutions tools.

IRIS533 – Controversy and Conflict
HIST581 – Histories of Slavery
POLI133 – Comparative Peace Processes
IRIS538 – Understanding the Northern Irish Conflict: Interpretations and Solutions

Pathway III: Political Communication

The political communications pathway provides an additional perspective on international politics by adding a the role of media to the picture.

COMM713 – Political & Media 1
COMM723 – Public Service Broadcasting
COMM714 – Political & Media 2
COMM724 – Media and Human Rights

Please note, all modules are subject to availability and it may be necessary to remove modules due to changes in staffing and research leave. Where modules are removed following registration, students will be notified as far in advance as possible.

Pathway IV: International Law

The International Law pathway is aimed at providing students with knowledge and understanding of the impact of international law on international relations.

LAW 353 Principles of International Law
LAW 073 Human Rights Law
LAW 354 Law and current affairs
LAW 320 Security Conflict and Law

Compulsory modules

International Relations Theory (POLI132)
Research Methods In Politics (POLI116)
The International System (POLI131)
Masters Dissertation (POLI119)
Contemporary Anti-slavery, forced Labour and Human Rights (POLI150)

Optional modules

The International Politics of The Mediterranean and The Middle East (POLI130)
Security and Intelligence (POLI303)
Globalisation and Development (ENVS434)
Europe and The World (POLI114)
Controversy and Conflict (IRIS533)
Histories of Slavery (HIST581)
Comparative Peace Processes (POLI133)
Understanding The Northern Irish Conflict: Interpretations and Solutions (IRIS538)
Politics and The Media I: Theories and Cases (COMM713)
Public Service Broadcasting (ma) (COMM723)
Politics and The Media 2: Economy and Society (COMM714)
Media and Human Rights (COMM724)

Requirements

For entry onto this MA we require a good 2:1 Bachelor's degree in Politics studies or a related area e.g. other social science degrees. On occassion, we will also consider a good 2:1 Bachelor's degree from a non social science area.
Russian students holding a Magistr Degree at Grade 4, a Specialist Diploma (5 year programme) at Grade 4.25 or a Baklavar (Bachelors) Degree at Grade 4.5 (all scores on 5.0 scale).
School or college transcripts or certificates
University/degree transcripts and certificates upon completion. (Partial transcripts are acceptable at point of application)
Evidence of English language ability
A personal statement explaining why you want to undertake the programme and why you feel you are a suitable candidate
Details of two people prepared to provide references (these should be academic references if you have been in full-time education in the last three years)
A research proposal (if applicable)
CV (if applicable)
Portfolio (if applicable)
IELTS 6.5(with a minimum of 6.0 in each component)
TOEFL iBT 88 or above with minimum scores in components as follows: Listening and Writing 21, Reading – 22, Speaking 23
Please be advised that TOEFL is no longer classified by UK Visas and Immigration as a Secure English Language Test (SELT). However, at the current time the university is continuing to accept TOEFL, at the required level, for entry on to Undergraduate and Postgraduate academic programmes.