International Relations, Conflict and Security MA
18 Months Full-Time | January Start
Option for Placement Year
Option for Study Abroad
International
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Option for Placement Year
Option for Study Abroad
Studying the full-time MA in International Relations, Conflict and Security will introduce you to the key concepts and theories necessary to understand the features of contemporary international relations, conflict studies and security issues.
You will be given the opportunity to explore responses to such challenges within a dynamic framework of politics, law and ethics . You will learn to consider what is possible. In order to discuss the questions of what can be done, versus what ought to be done.
We will give focus to the relationship between international and national interests. The programme will allow you to understand conflict and security as a policy challenge. You will be able to recognise the increasing degree of interdependence between states, international organisations and non-state actors in governing this area of international relations.
You will also analyse the ways in which security, development and humanitarian agents adapt to instability.
This programme gives you the opportunity to study regionally differentiated responses to international conflict, across different countries and nations.
This master's program is open to students from a wide range of undergraduate disciplines. The course will prepare you for a career in international relations. However you will also have the skills and knowledge appropriate to those looking for careers in international organisations, government, media or academia.
See other similar courses you may be interested in: International Development MSc
Studying the full-time MA in International Relations, Conflict and Security will introduce you to the key concepts and theories necessary to understand the features of contemporary international relations, conflict studies and security issues.
You will be given the opportunity to explore responses to such challenges within a dynamic framework of politics, law and ethics . You will learn to consider what is possible. In order to discuss the questions of what can be done, versus what ought to be done.
We will give focus to the relationship between international and national interests. The programme will allow you to understand conflict and security as a policy challenge. You will be able to recognise the increasing degree of interdependence between states, international organisations and non-state actors in governing this area of international relations.
You will also analyse the ways in which security, development and humanitarian agents adapt to instability.
This programme gives you the opportunity to study regionally differentiated responses to international conflict, across different countries and nations.
This master's program is open to students from a wide range of undergraduate disciplines. The course will prepare you for a career in international relations. However you will also have the skills and knowledge appropriate to those looking for careers in international organisations, government, media or academia.
See other similar courses you may be interested in: International Development MSc
Level of Study
Postgraduate
Mode of Study
16 months Full Time
2 other options available
Department
Social Sciences
Location
City Campus, Northumbria University
City
Newcastle
Start
January 2025
Fees
Fee Information
Modules
Module Information
Watch former Programme Leader, Ariane Basthard-Bogain discuss this Masters in a Minute (or so), and get inspired by Prof Tanya Wyatt's remarkable fight for global justice.
Explore our immersive 360 tours, informative subject videos, inspirational student profiles, ground-breaking research, and a range of life at university blogs videos and articles.
Core modules:
• International law and global justice (30 credits)
• Contemporary challenges in conflict, war and security (30 credits)
• Theorising conflict, war and security (30 credits)
• International security governance (30 credits)
• Dissertation (60 credits)
Watch our department video to get a feel for where you could be studying.
Take a look at what Northumbria has to offer and discover what studying with us can do for you.
You will learn from enthusiastic and well-published teachers and researchers from across the UK and Europe. Our team is one of the most research-active groups in the Department of Social Sciences, publishing widely in well-known academic journals, responding to contemporary issues and developments, as well as engaging with wider political ideas that shape the way we think and act.
Here are just a few of Northumbria's academic staff with expertise in this area. Click through to 'All staff profiles' to explore further.
Dr Leonie Jackson
Assistant Professor
Dr Xander Kirke
Assistant Professor
Dr. Ariane Basthard-Bogain
Assistant Professor
Dr Kirsten Haack
Associate Professor
Take a look at what Northumbria has to offer and discover what studying with us can do for you.
The teaching team are also keen to pioneer new approaches to engage you via smartphones and associated apps and via social media, with the aim to improve your learning experience. We will experiment with new ways of engaging you via tablets and other devices to enable individual and group interaction.
Take a virtual tour of our world class campus facilities, including Lipman Building where you'll be based, and discover more about our CSE-accredited University Library.
Take a look at what Northumbria has to offer and discover what studying with us can do for you.
There will be case-study learning, which means that you have to engage with real-life cases and use your theoretical learning to make decisions.
You can choose from a number of options for your dissertation: literature-based, empirical, or placement-based. You will be supported throughout the process by your dissertation supervisor, and the breadth of staff research interests provides you with the scope to pursue your interests, wherever they may lead.
Take a look at what Northumbria has to offer and discover what studying with us can do for you.
You will graduate with a wide range of transferable skills that will enable you to work in a range of conflict and security analysis related contexts.
You will be particularly suited to careers as political/policy analysts, program/development officers, consultants, risk analysts, advocacy/outreach officers, and journalists, as well as to management positions in international organisations, NGOs, government, the development sector, media, academia, and the military/private security providers.
Take a look at what Northumbria has to offer and discover what studying with us can do for you.
Applicants should normally have:
A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree in any subject, or equivalent.
International qualifications:
If you have studied a non UK qualification, you can see how your qualifications compare to the standard entry criteria, by selecting the country that you received the qualification in, from our country pages. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry
English language requirements:
International applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with 6 in each component (or approved equivalent*).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications
Full UK Fee: £9,250
Full International Fee: £18,250
Scholarships and Discounts
ADDITIONAL COSTS
There are no Additional Costs
* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here
Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.
IR7009 -
International Law and Global Justice (Core,30 Credits)
This module will engage with the political dilemmas we face in international relations today, and the concept, theories and practices that inform our decision-making in response. You will analyse a range of issues, such as the question of global solidarity in relation to issues such as under-development, natural catastrophes, conflict or human rights violations, the relative significance of culture, sovereignty and self-determination, and concepts such as consent, responsibility and autonomy.
You will investigate these dilemmas in light of international law, (power) politics and ethics, and how each inform, enable or constrain action. You will develop an appreciation of the problem of the indeterminateness of our knowledge of specific issues that despite their indeterminateness still require political action (including non-action).
IR7010 -
Contemporary Challenges in Conflict and Security (Core,30 Credits)
You will learn about the most significant challenges to peace and order that we face today, recognising the changing nature of such challenges. Conflict and issues of security (or indeed insecurity) appear to go through phases, with some issues ebbing and rising over time. You will understand and conceptualise these through various lenses of security, for example nuclear security during the Cold War or ethnic conflict during the 1990s. This module aims to respond to broad trends in conflict and security, analysing their nature and impact on policy-making throughout the world. This may include (but is not limited to) issues such as global military interventions, migration, health security, gender, and cybersecurity.
More informationIR7012 -
Theorising International Relations, Conflict and Security (Core,30 Credits)
In this module, you will investigate how scholars have conceptualised international relations, as well as conflict and war as key phenomena within it. You will gain a firm grounding in the discipline by critically analysing the foundations of structural and post-structural/critical theories if you have not studied International Relations before. If you have prior knowledge of International Relations theory, you will deepen your knowledge and understanding of theories by approaching them in a way that focuses on conceptual similarities and differences, analysing themes, as well as ontological, epistemological and methodological differences.
You will study structural theories such as those of the Realist and Liberal schools, including variants such as the English School and Constructivism, as well as post-structural and critical theories, such as Critical Theory, postmodernism, feminism, post-colonialism, international political theory. You will engage with Waltz’ three images and gain an overview over theories of the causes of war.
IR7013 -
European Internal Security Governance (Core,30 Credits)
The module aims to explore how insecurity and harm are been conceptualised by the EU and how such conceptualisation has shaped its responses, both at the institutional and policy levels. On this basis, the module proposes to understand what kind of actor the EU has become in the area of internal security, focusing on traditional forms of insecurity such as organised crime, trafficking of drugs, trafficking of human beings, and terrorism, as well as non-traditional forms of insecurity including cyber security, health insecurity and and socio-economic insecurity. For this purpose, the module considers how inernal security policies are designed and how they are perceived by different actors on the ground. The module is also designed to reflect the practical context of working with and for an EU organisation. The module begins with an overview of the EU's approaches to these forms of insecurity and then moves on to different policy areas. It also looks into the EU institutions and agencies that are active in this area. Having discussed the different initiatives and actors present in this field, the module then turns to the results achieved and the reactions to the EU's initiatives.
More informationIR7014 -
International Relations Postgraduate Dissertation (Core,60 Credits)
You will learn to apply your research skills to a major piece of independent research and investigation. The dissertation will have a series of taught workshops focussing on dissertation skills, and methods teaching for those without prior knowledge of social sciences methods.
More informationYE7000 -
Academic Language Skills for International Relations, Conflict and Security (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)
Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.
The topics you will cover on the module include:
• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Effective reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.
• Discussing ethical issues in research, and analysing results.
• Describing bias and limitations of research.
YE7001 -
Academic Language Skills for Social Sciences (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)
Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.
The topics you will cover on the module include:
• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Effective reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.
• Discussing ethical issues in research, and analysing results.
• Describing bias and limitations of research.
The following alternative study options are available for this course:
Sep start
Sep start
Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help. They can be contacted on 0191 406 0901 or by using our Contact Form.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
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