Course description
There is so much going on in the University: debates, talks, societies, events
It is truly an environment where you can flourish.
Sara Giorgi / MA International Relations student
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.
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 you if you are considering further study in the form of a PhD as it contains specialised research methods training suitable for PhD applications.
The enhanced methods training is in place of additional optional modules, so please be aware that the research route has less options than the standard route.
The course is also suitable if you wish to pursue careers in government and non-governmental organisations, the International Relations (standard) route offers greater flexibility of course units because the International Relations (research) route includes additional specialised research methods training.
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 course.
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 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 |
---|---|---|---|
Research Design and Skills | POLI60312 | 15 | Mandatory |
Graduate Seminar in International Relations Theory | POLI70401 | 15 | Mandatory |
Critical Approaches in International Politics | POLI70412 | 15 | Mandatory |
Philosophy of Politics Research | POLI70771 | 15 | Mandatory |
Dissertation | POLI72000 | 60 | Mandatory |
Qualitative Research Methods | SOCS60230 | 15 | Mandatory |
Introduction to Quantitative Methods | SOST70511 | 15 | 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 |
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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 .