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We understand that prospective students and offer-holders may have concerns about the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. The University is following the advice from Universities UK, Public Health England and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Overview
- Degree awarded
- Master of Arts (MA)
- Duration
- 1 year (full-time); 2 years (part-time)
- Entry requirements
-
UK 2:1 (Hons) degree, or international equivalent, in a social science subject. We will consider students who have taken other subjects on a case-by-case basis.
When assessing your academic record we take into account the grades you have achieved, your academic references, and the standing of the institution where you studied your qualification.
- How to apply
- Apply online
Course options
| Full-time | Part-time | Full-time distance learning | Part-time distance learning | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MA | Y | Y | N | N |
Course overview
- Develop a deeper knowledge and understanding of critically-orientated international relations
- Conduct research into pressing global issues such as foreign policy, gender, global ethics, environmental politics and terrorism
- Learn the specialist skills necessary for a range of policy-focused political careers
Open days
On this day, you will find out more about the School of Social Sciences, our resources, and meet academic and admissions staff who will be able to answer any questions you have.
For more information, see open days and visits .
Fees
For entry in the academic year beginning September 2021, the tuition fees are as follows:
-
MA (full-time)
UK students (per annum): £14,500
International, including EU, students (per annum): £21,500 -
MA (part-time)
UK students (per annum): £7,250
International, including EU, students (per annum): £10,750
Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.
The fees quoted above will be fully inclusive for the course tuition, administration and computational costs during your studies.
All fees for entry will be subject to yearly review and incremental rises per annum are also likely over the duration of courses lasting more than a year for UK/EU students (fees are typically fixed for International students, for the course duration at the year of entry). For general fees information please visit: postgraduate fees . Always contact the department if you are unsure which fee applies to your qualification award and method of attendance.
Self-funded international applicants for this course will be required to pay a deposit of £1000 towards their tuition fees before a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) is issued. This deposit will only be refunded if immigration permission is refused. We will notify you about how and when to make this payment.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
The Manchester Alumni Scholarship Scheme offers £3,000 reduction in tuition fees to University of Manchester alumni who achieved a first-class bachelor's degree and are progressing to a postgraduate taught master's course.
For more information, see fees and funding or search the University's postgraduate funding database .
- Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships Plan (CSFP) General Scholarship
- School of Social Sciences - Manchester Alumni Scholarship Scheme - 2021 entry
Contact details
- School/Faculty
- School of Social Sciences
- Contact name
- Zoe Woodend
- pg-soss@manchester.ac.uk
- Website
- http://www.socialsciences.manchester.ac.uk/politics/
- School/Faculty
-
See: School Subjects
Courses in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.
Entry requirements
Academic entry qualification overview
UK 2:1 (Hons) degree, or international equivalent, in a social science subject. We will consider students who have taken other subjects on a case-by-case basis.
When assessing your academic record we take into account the grades you have achieved, your academic references, and the standing of the institution where you studied your qualification.
English language
- IELTS - overall score of 7, including 7 in writing with no further component score below 6.5;
- TOEFL IBT 103 with 28 in writing and no further score below 25 in each section. TOEFL code for Manchester is 0757.
- Pearson - overall 73 with 73 in writing and no further score below 66
- Other English tests are also considered. Please contact us for further information - pg-soss@manchester.ac.uk
Scores are valid for 2 years.
Please note that CAS statements are issued only when all conditions of the offer have been satisfied, PDF copy of passport received and the offer accepted.
Applicants from certain countries may be exempt from having to provide an IELTS or TOEFL score. For further advice please email pg-soss@manchester.ac.uk
Pre-Sessional English Courses
If you are eligible to do a pre-sessional English course (either 6 weeks or 10 weeks, depending on your English score), you will need to successfully complete the course at the required level before you are permitted to register on your academic course.
English language test validity
Application and selection
How to apply
Advice to applicants
- 1 November (decision by 8 December; accept offer by 15 January);
- 7 January (decision by 14 February, accept offer by 16 March);
- 2 March (decision by 8 April, accept offer by 8 May);
- 1 May (decision by 1 June, accept offer by 1 July).
If we make you an offer, you will have approximately 4 weeks to accept. Any offers not accepted by the deadline will be withdrawn so that an offer can be made to another candidate.
All conditional offer holders will have until 1 August to satisfy the conditions of their offer.
You need to ensure that you submit your supporting documents with your online application as it may delay us processing your application.
Whilst we aim to give you a decision on your application by the decision date, in some instances it may be necessary to roll your application forward to the next deadline date. If this is the case, we will let you know after the deadline date.
We can accept your application before you complete your undergraduate studies; please submit your latest transcripts with your online application.
Please note:
- All places are subject to availability and if you apply for one of the later dates, some courses may already be closed, we recommend that you apply early in the cycle.
- Meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee an offer.
- International applicants who will require a visa to study in the UK can obtain up-to-date information on the latest student visa advice and guidelines.
- If you are a current undergraduate student at The University of Manchester, you may be eligible to apply via the 'Fast-Track' scheme, email pg-soss@manchester.ac.uk for further information.
- For a copy of the postgraduate prospectus, email pg-soss@manchester.ac.uk .
How your application is considered
All applicants must submit:
- an online application form;
- supporting statement;
- transcripts of degree;
- two references.
Overseas applicants will need to submit a satisfactory IELTS certificate (or equivalent) at the time of application. A minimum IELTS overall score of 6.0, with 6.0 in each component.
Applications will not be considered if documents are missing.
Course details
Course description
International Relations is one of the most popular courses at postgraduate level. On this course, you will be taught and supervised by experienced staff with strong interests in critical approaches to the study of global politics.
Course units cover a wide range of global issues, including:
- authority;
- citizenship;
- foreign policy (both China and US);
- gender;
- war and peace;
- global ethics;
- human rights;
- media;
- environmental politics;
- security studies;
- terrorism.
Two course units form the centrepiece of our course: the Graduate Seminar in International Politics and Critical Thinkers in International Politics.
These units are designed to develop transferable skills in critical inquiry, creative thinking, research design and problem-solving. You will also complete a major research dissertation, with the guidance of a member of staff in international politics.
Being a part of a postgraduate community, you are encouraged to participate in the Critical Global Politics research cluster, who organise a seminar series attracting high profile speakers, including: Cynthia Enloe, Cynthia Weber, Nick Vaughan-Williams, Marysia Zalewski and Laura Shepherd, among others.
This route will suit those wishing to obtain a high-level specialist subject qualification and those interested in developing a deeper knowledge and understanding of critically-orientated international relations.
The diversity of the course makes it a suitable introduction to the study of global politics. Those wishing to pursue a research training qualification or a PhD are advised to explore the International Relations (Research) route.
This course is designed for students for whom a taught MA will be a prelude to careers in fields related to government and non-governmental organisations.
Teaching and learning
Part-time students complete the full-time course over two years. There are no evening or weekend course units available on the part-time route.
You must first check the schedule of the compulsory course units and then select your optional units to suit your requirements.
Updated timetable information will be available from mid-August and you will have the opportunity to discuss your unit choices during induction week with your course director.
Course unit details
Compulsory course units:
- POLI70401 Graduate seminar in International Relation Theory
- POLI70412 Critical Thinkers in International Politics
- POLI60312 Dissertation Research Design
Optional course units:
- POLI70451 Ethics in World Politics
- POLI70461 Security Studies
- POLI71061 Foreign Policy Analysis
- POLI70311 Critical Approaches to IPE
- POLI70851 EU as an International Actor
- POLI70981 The Arab Uprisings and Revolutionary State Formation
- POLI71111 The United Nations and International Security
- POLI60092 Power and Resistance in Postcolonial Societies
- POLI60262 Media, War and Conflict
- POLI70282 Critical Globalisation Studies
- POLI70612 Debating Justice
- POLI70722 Theories of Rights
- POLI70492 Human Rights in World Politics
Course unit list
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dissertation Research Design | POLI60312 | 15 | Mandatory |
| The Graduate Seminar in International Relations Theory | POLI70401 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Critical Approaches in International Politics | POLI70412 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Dissertation | POLI72000 | 60 | Mandatory |
| Power and Resistance in Postcolonial Societies | POLI60092 | 15 | Optional |
| Governing in an Unjust World: Justice and International Relations | POLI60182 | 15 | Optional |
| Global Governance | POLI70422 | 15 | Optional |
| Ethics in World Politics | POLI70451 | 15 | Optional |
| Security Studies | POLI70461 | 15 | Optional |
| Human Rights in World Politics | POLI70492 | 15 | Optional |
| Displaying 10 of 16 course units | |||
| Display all course units | |||
Facilities
You will be supported by first-class resources, in addition to the networked study areas.
You will also have access to one of the best-resourced academic libraries in the country.
Disability support
Careers
Career opportunities
The course would also be suitable for students wishing to go into teaching, journalism or any career where advanced knowledge of international politics coupled with an excellent capacity to communicate effectively will be an advantage.
The University also has its own dedicated Careers Service that you would have full access to as a student and for two years after you graduate. At Manchester you will have access to a number of opportunities to help boost your employability .