Non-Proliferation and International Security

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Examines the causes, processes and effects of weapons proliferation, the evolution and effectiveness of the international non-proliferation regime and the way in which proliferation influences other issues in international relations. This programme utilises knowledge and tools of analysis from history, political science, the hard sciences, philosophy and sociology.

KEY BENEFITS * Drawing on the strengths of the Department of War Studies, this programme is multidisciplinary, utilising knowledge and tools of analysis from history, political science, the hard sciences, philosophy and sociology.
* Through guest speakers and when possible, field trips, the programme also draws on the broad range of expertise available in government and the NGO community.
* The Centre for Science and Security Studies, located within the Department of War Studies, provides a vibrant home for the MA, with its own speaker series and a growing cadre of PhD students and researchers. When possible, the Centre also offers internships on current research projects; students are also encouraged to apply for internships at other London-based institutions working in the field, such as the Verification Research, Training and Information Centre (VERTIC) and IISS.
* The Department has an excellent reputation as a graduate training institution and is recognised by the British Academy, the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the Economic and Social Research council as a training institution for War Studies.
* The Department places great emphasis on recruiting leading experts who bring with them not only a wealth of knowledge and ideas but an extensive and continually growing network of links with other departments, think-tanks, organisations, policy-making bodies and institutions.

PURPOSE This programme is for graduates and professionals with an interest in understanding the causes, processes and effects of weapons proliferation, the evolution and effectiveness of the international non-proliferation regime, and the way in which proliferation influences other key issues in international relations.

DESCRIPTION The development and spread of weapons technology has always been of central importance in international relations, and it remains so in today's world with growing concern about the spread of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons and their means of delivery to both state and non-state actors. The MA programme enables students to examine the causes, processes and effects of weapons proliferation, the evolution and effectiveness of the international non-proliferation regime, and the way in which proliferation influences other key issues in international relations, including the causes of war and peace, military doctrine and strategy, and the rise (and possible decline) of the state as the central actor in international relations. Core module plus choice of options and a dissertation. Ideal base for further academic or policy research.

* Drawing on the strengths of the Department of War Studies, this programme is multidisciplinary, utilising knowledge and tools of analysis from history, political science, the hard sciences, philosophy and sociology.
* Through guest speakers and when possible, field trips, the programme also draws on the broad range of expertise available in government and the NGO community.
* The Centre for Science and Security Studies, located within the Department of War Studies, provides a vibrant home for the MA, with its own speaker series and a growing cadre of PhD students and researchers.
* When possible, the Centre also offers internships on current research projects; students are also encouraged to apply for internships at other London-based institutions working in the field, such as the Verification Research, Training and Information Centre (VERTIC) and IISS.
* The Department has an excellent reputation as a graduate training institution and is recognised by the British Academy, the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the Economic and Social Research council as a training institution for War Studies.
* The Department places great emphasis on recruiting leading experts who bring with them not only a wealth of knowledge and ideas but an extensive and continually growing network of links with other departments, think-tanks, organisations, policy-making bodies and institutions.

The MA programme is designed as a one year full-time, or two year part-time taught programme which offers students the opportunity to engage critically with ideas in international relations and social and political thought concerned with the study of conflict and peace and their applications to empirical case-study material. The compulsory module applies these ideas to the issue of proliferation. The various options available will allow students to broaden their programme of study by taking other contemporary or historical options offered by the department, or to focus on proliferation by taking specialised options that are being developed.

STRUCTURE OVERVIEW Core programme content * A compulsory module, 'Proliferation and International Security' (worth 40 credits). Please click on the link below 'Module' for the module description.
* Optional modules chosen from a range of possibilities (worth 80 credits in total) Please see a list of typical options below.
* A dissertation of 15,000 words (worth 60 credits).

The dissertation is to be written over the summer term. You may choose your own topic but it must fall within the remit of your programme of study and must be approved by a member of staff. If you are a part-time student, you are advised to take the core module in your first year of study and write your dissertation in your second year.

Indicative non-core content Option modules

* All optional modules are 40 credits unless otherwise specified.
* Option modules begin in week 3 of term 1.
* In order to promote effective learning there are a limited number of student places available on each optional module.
* Some of the optional modules are prioritised for students on particular masters programmes.
* Each year the optional modules will vary, and we can not guarantee to offer all those listed in any given year.
* You are advised not to base your decision to join the degree programme soley on the list below.
* For a full list of option modules please refer to the MA in War Studies programme page here:
NB Option modules are allocated using purpose-designed software which the department has created to maximise student choice while keeping each option class to a reasonable size. The system weighs student preferences, and gives priority where necessary to options of particular relevance to each specific MA programme.

FORMAT AND ASSESSMENT Continuous assessment by essay; examinations and a dissertation.

MODULES More information on typical programme modules.
NB it cannot be guaranteed that all modules are offered in any particular academic year. Proliferation & International Security - Required Afghan And South Asian Security Issues - Optional Art anda War - Optional Civil War In The US 1861-1865 - Optional Complex Political Emergencies, Health & Security - Optional Conflict Prevention & Peace Building - Optional Conflict Simulation - Optional Conflict, Development And Islam In Russia, The Caucasus And Central Asia - Optional Current Issues In Science & Security - Optional East Asian Security - Optional Ethics In International Relations (20 Credits) - Optional European (In)Security (20 credits) - Optional European Security - Optional Inerdisciplinary Approaches to (In)security - Optional International Politics Of The Middle East - Optional Investigating Conflict in Global Politics - Optional Media And War - Optional Missile Proliferation - Optional Nationalism And Security - Optional Natural Resources & Conflict - Optional Open Source Intelligence - Optional Propaganda - Optional Reporting Wars - Optional Responding to Terrorism - Optional Science & Security Of Nuclear & Biological Weapons - Optional Security Issues in the Soviet Successor States - Optional Social Dimensions of Terrorism - Optional The Evolution Of Insurgency - Optional The Meaning And Experience Of Imperialism - Optional The Occupied Territories Since 1967 - Optional The Result In War Is Never Final - Optional The Rise and Fall of the Cold War - Optional UK Foreign Policy - Optional War and Insurgency in the Middle East since 1945 - Optional

Minimum 2:1 first degree in history, international relations, political science, economics or other appropriate subject or an equivalent qualification from a British or overseas university; GPA must be above 3.3 (USA). Applicants must have English language competence. However we offer a two year programme built around the department's existing MA programmes and incorporating dedicated English language tuition. English Language Requirements CAE score: (read more) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is part of the Cambridge English suite and is targeted at a high level (IETLS 6.5-8.0). It is an international English language exam set at the right level for academic and professional success. Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment - part of the University of Cambridge - it helps you stand out from the crowd as a high achiever. 80 (Grade A)