MA International Relations (Standard) / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

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:

  • Chinese ethnic politics;
  • citizenship;
  • gender;
  • war and peace;
  • global ethics;
  • human rights;
  • environmental politics;
  • security studies;
  • the United Nations;
  • the Arab uprisings;
  • critical military studies;
  • race;
  • capitalism.

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. 

p>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
  • Laura Shepherd.

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.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Research Design and Skills POLI60312 15 Mandatory
Graduate Seminar in International Relations Theory POLI70401 15 Mandatory
Critical Approaches in International Politics POLI70412 15 Mandatory
Dissertation POLI72000 60 Mandatory
Migration, Mobility and Displacement in the Contemporary World MGDI60731 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 POLI70462 15 Optional
Human Rights in World Politics POLI70492 15 Optional
Critical Environmental Politics POLI70921 15 Optional
Gender, War and Peace POLI70961 15 Optional
The Arab Uprisings and Revolutionary State Formation POLI70981 15 Optional
The United Nations and International Security POLI71112 15 Optional
Critical Military Studies POLI71121 15 Optional
The Politics of Global Climate Change POLI71141 15 Optional
Gender in Comparative Politics POLI71151 15 Optional
Capitalism and Development in the Middle East POLI71312 15 Optional
Borders, Identities, Citizenship POLI72021 15 Optional
Creating a Sustainable World: Interdisciplinary Applications of the Sustainable Development Goals UCIL60312 15 Optional
Displaying 10 of 20 course units

Facilities

As a School of Social Sciences student, you will be supported by first-class resources.   

As well as access to networked study areas and one of the best-resourced academic libraries in the country, The University of Manchester Library .

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk