MA International Relations (Standard)

The University holds regular open days, where you will have the opportunity to tour the campus find out more about our facilities and courses.

On this day, you will find out more about the School of Social Sciences and 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 .

Due to high demand for this course, we operate a staged admissions process with selection deadlines throughout the year:   

• 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 (conditional and un-conditional offers). Any offers not accepted by the deadline will be withdrawn so that an offer can be made to another candidate.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.

Due to competition for places, we give preference to students with grades above our minimum entry requirements.

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 due to the competition for places/volume of applications received, 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.

Applications received after our final selection deadline will be considered at our discretion if places are still available.

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 to secure your place with us;
• 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 .

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.

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.

The School of Social Sciences students are 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.

Our recent graduates have gone on to work for international organisations including NATO and the UNDP, or for foreign offices.

The MA 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.

As a School of Social Sciences postgraduate at Manchester, you will have access to a wide range of careers support tailored to your career or further study.

For more information, see careers and employability .