Durham University
Research Methods (Politics, International Relations, Security) MA
Durham University

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews for 15 graduates of Research Methods (Politics, International Relations, Security) MA at Durham University for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Anthropology.

Overall student satisfaction
79 /100
15 total respondents
chart data
Source: National Student Survey NSS 2023. The Overall student satisfaction data point is from 2022 (latest available year). The Office for Students made the unfortunate decision to discontinue collecting overall student satisfaction data points per course.
This particular course
The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in Anthropology

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Anthropology at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £26500 £27000 £33000
25-75 percentile range £22000 - £32500 £21000 - £32000 £23000 - £45500
Source: HESA - Graduate Outcomes Survey Oct 10, 2023
All Anthropology courses of Durham University


Salary of all UK Graduates of Anthropology

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £25000 £22450 £26876
25-75 percentile range £21000 - £28000 £16925 - £28392 £20314 - £34845
Source: Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) by UK Department for Education Dec 20, 2022
All Anthropology courses in the UK

Course Description

This MA in Research Methods provides Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)-recognised training in the fields of politics, international relations and security. The course has been designed to provide a thorough grounding in research methods allied to further specialisation within these fields for those intending to progress to a PhD and, as such, fulfils the ESRC research training guidelines requirement for ‘1 3’ PhD students.

The MA is offered in collaboration with other departments in the Faculty of Social Sciences. This provides wide-ranging opportunities for interdisciplinary study which you can tailor to your career  development needs or use as a stepping-stone into social science research.

You will study core modules in research design, qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis, as well as exploring the ethical and political issues that underpin social sciences research. This combination of theoretical and practical training is designed to develop the techniques you need to create your own research studies.

You also choose optional modules, some of which are designed to further develop your knowledge of research methods and others that are specific to politics, international relations and security. The MA dissertation brings together the different areas of learning into an area of research interest.

The School of Government and International Affairs is home to the Durham Global Security Institute and the Global Policy Institute. As a student in the School, your learning will be informed by the ongoing research carried out by experts from these institutes, many of whom are working at the forefront of their field.

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

chart data
Source: HESA - Graduate Outcomes Survey Oct 10, 2023
This particular course

Current jobs

chart data
Source: HESA - Graduate Outcomes Survey Oct 10, 2023
All courses of Durham University

Required skill level of job after 15 months

chart data
Source: HESA - Graduate Outcomes Survey Oct 10, 2023
This particular course

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Research Methods (Politics, International Relations, Security) MA at Durham University

35% Sales occupations
15% Teaching Professionals
10% Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation
10% Business and public service associate professionals
10% Elementary occupations
10% Artistic, literary and media occupations
10% Administrative occupations
10% Welfare and housing associate professionals
Source: Unistats by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Oct 10, 2023

Grading & Study Time

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Teaching is centred around the School of Government and International Affairs, a vibrant learning community which is home to multiple research centres and institutes. The MA is largely delivered via lectures and smaller, student-led seminar or tutorial groups. Each module is built around 300 hours of learning, a large proportion of which is made up of independent reading, preparation and written assignments. Each module includes a minimum of 20 hours of class contact, which gives you the opportunity to review course material in group discussions. The dissertation is an important part of the course. To support you in this, you will be appointed a dissertation supervisor based on a broad match with your dissertation topic. As well as providing dissertation-specific guidance, you can also contact your supervisor for general academic support. To keep your learning up-to-date and relevant, we place great importance on integrating new and innovative research into the curriculum. In addition, we deliver regular seminars and lectures which are available for all postgraduate students. These events provide opportunities to engage with contemporary issues in political and international studies. Taught modules are principally assessed by essays. As the course progresses, we provide ongoing feedback through formative assessments to help you to recognise your strengths as well as identify any areas that may require improvement. The course culminates in a 12,000-word dissertation which is conducted and written up as an independent piece of work with support from your appointed supervisor. The dissertation is worth one-third of your final mark.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

chart data
Source: Unistats by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Oct 10, 2023
This particular course

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 6.5
    • All other courses
    • 4.5
    • Foundation
    • 6.5
    • Graduate Degrees
    • 6.5
    • Undergraduate Degrees

If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take a pre-Masters pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.

For further information see the course listing.
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Research Methods (Politics, International Relations, Security), MA, if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

UK 2.1 Bachelor degree, or equivalent. The degree should be in the field of social sciences, but we will actively consider significant relevant experience in lieu of this requirement.

Two satisfactory academic references. In cases of applicants who have significant relevant experience, one work-related reference and one academic reference would be considered appropriate.

Costs

Tuition Fees Research Methods (Politics, International Relations, Security) MA

England UK £10400 year 1
Northern Ireland £10400 year 1
Scotland £10400 year 1
Wales £10400 year 1
Channel Islands £10400 year 1
EU £24750 year 1
International £24750 year 1
Ireland £24750 year 1

Additional fee information

The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).

Source: UCAS Dec 4, 2023

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

Source: Own research based on surveys and university data

University Rankings

Positions of Durham University in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of Durham University in related subject specific rankings.

Social Studies & Humanities

    • #10 
    • #13 
    Psychology
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 08 June, 2023]
    • #9 
    • #13 
    Psychology
    The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
    [Published 09 September, 2023]
    • #11 
    • #79 
    Psychology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #9 
    • #101 
    Psychology
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #19 
    • #126 
    Psychology
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]
    • #30 
    • #314 
    Psychology
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]

See all 38 university rankings of Durham University

About Durham University

Founded in 1832, Durham University (DU) is located in the cathedral city of Durham, North East England. DU takes pride in having numerous subject fields ranked among the best in the world according to QS, as well as having an exceptionally large course catalogue without compromising the quality that students can expect. Apart from the impressive academic opportunities on offer, students can also participate in numerous sports, music, and art-based extracurricular activities on-site.

List of 211 Bachelor and Master Courses from Durham University - Course Catalogue

Student composition of Durham University

Total number of students enrolled at Durham University by level Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
undergraduates:
17140
postgraduates:
4365
Total:
21505
Number of students enrolled in courses of subject “International Relations”: Academic year - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
Source: Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
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Where is this programme taught

Durham University
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Admission advice for international students