International Relations (Applied), MA

Course overview

This course will be of interest for people wishing to gain further knowledge, skills and expertise in a broad range of international relations issues. The ethos of the course stipulates that global politics cannot be separated from international law and vice versa.

You develop advanced theoretical knowledge on international relations theory, gain a thorough understanding of positive and normative political theory to interpret realism, liberalism, constructivism and critical social theories which are pivotal theories to comprehend how and why states, international organisations, financial institutions and non-state actors behave in certain situations in international politics. In addition, you study drivers of armed conflict and terrorism to articulate how states perceive a variety of threats that are debatably ever increasing in the aftermath of 9/11. This is why international law is significantly covered to provide comprehension on controls and protection in armed conflict, human rights and prohibition on a variety of unethical modes of warfare. You critically examine a range of decisions made on the application of diplomacy, positive peace, peacekeeping, ceasefires, human rights, humanitarianism, justice and interventionism from the Cold War period and beyond. The assessments are broad ranging enhance your skills with academic and report writing, presentations and how to write a research project.

The Applied route offers a placement opportunity for you to gain valuable work experience within a setting related to international relations.

Career opportunities

Graduates may enter an international organisation, NGO, not-for-profit charity organization, policy or advocacy group, research consortium, human rights campaigning, humanitarian agency, legal assistant, academic, war journalist or foreign office.