University of Aberdeen
Strategic Studies MSc
University of Aberdeen

Course modalities offered

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews for 10 graduates of Strategic Studies MSc at University of Aberdeen for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in English studies (non-specific).

Overall student satisfaction
79 /100
10 total respondents
The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in English studies (non-specific)

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of English studies (non-specific) 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 £21500 £21500 £24000
25-75 percentile range £20000 - £27500 £16500 - £25000 £19000 - £29500


Salary of all UK Graduates of English studies (non-specific)

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £23309 £21276 £25018
25-75 percentile range £19679 - £26816 £16238 - £25899 £19034 - £31180

Course Description

MSc Strategic Studies provides you with advanced understanding of the use of force in conflict. The MSc Strategic Studies programme provides you with the ability to scrutinise real-world security issues which challenge governments, conflict, armed services, peace, international organizations, and business globally. The programme intends to equip you with a range of advanced theoretical and operational understanding of the characteristics, practice, and profound effects of the use of force by states and non-state actors at a regional (especially Asian) and global level. The programme is multidisciplinary, attracting a diverse international cohort.

Strategy is notoriously tricky. Most strategies fail, most of the time. However logical the connection of means, ways, and ends may be on paper, it is notoriously hard to achieve. Why is this so? This programme will address these questions and more. You will learn about the contribution of strategy as a mechanism for the application of power and coercion, addressing the nature of strategy, causes of war, deterrence, arms control, terrorism-counterterrorism, Chinese security issues, religion and conflict, and the impact of emerging technology (AI, cyber, drones, hypersonics, etc.) on strategic affairs, and much more.

The course considers the historical background and context that has shaped key developments in strategic affairs from domestic, international, political-psychological, and strategic-cultural standpoints. Students will learn about these issues from Western and non-Western (especially China) perspectives.

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.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

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

Example below based on all graduates of Strategic Studies MSc at University of Aberdeen

25% Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation
15% Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations
10% Welfare and housing associate professionals
10% Media Professionals
10% Administrative occupations
5% Business and public service associate professionals
5% Teaching Professionals
5% Sales occupations
5% Artistic, literary and media occupations
5% Elementary occupations

Grading & Study Time

By written examination, essay work and class presentation as prescribed for each course and by submission of a dissertation.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

English language requirements

test Grade Additional Details
IELTS (Academic) 6.5

Overall - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5 or above; Reading - 6.0 or above; Speaking - 5.5 or above; Writing - 6.0 or above.

IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training are not accepted

TOEFL (iBT) 90

**TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Home Edition: **

Overall - 90 with: Listening - 17 or above; Reading - 21 or above; Speaking - 20 or above; Writing - 21 or above.

DI code is 0818

PTE Academic 62

Overall - 62 with: Listening - 59 or above; Reading - 59 or above; Speaking - 59 or above; Writing - 59 or above.

Online test is not accepted

Institution's Own Test

Academic English Pre-sessional Programme (PSE) - Pass (valid for 1 year).

Academic English Preparation Programme undertaken at other UK HEI - accredited by BALEAP and within 1 year of start of course.

Cambridge English Advanced

Overall - 176 with: Listening - 162 or above; Reading - 162 or above; Speaking - 162 or above; Writing - 169 or above.

When you are thinking about studying overseas, it is important that you understand all the costs involved and budget accordingly. It is essential to budget for your studies prior to leaving your home country and to arrange all your funding for BOTH your tuition fees and your living costs. In addition, it is important to check all immigration requirements regularly and before travelling, as they can change. Students without the necessary visa will be refused entry to the UK. You should allow plenty of time to organise your visa and ensure you are aware of all your responsibilities under the terms and conditions of your visa. Please note that the advice provided via the University is the Student Visa category of the UK's Points Based Immigration Scheme. For further information, please visit the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration.

Eligible self-funded international Masters students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Visit our Funding Database to find out more and see our full range of scholarships: www.abdn.ac.uk/study/funding/. The University of Aberdeen provides an Alumni Discount Scheme: The University of Aberdeen is very pleased to offer a 20% discount on postgraduate tuition fees for all alumni who have graduated with a degree from the University of Aberdeen.
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Strategic Studies, MSc, if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Applicants for admission will normally be expected to hold a relevant Honours degree with at least 2:1 standard from a recognised university or body. Applicants without this qualification may be admitted subject to having an alternative qualification, or an approved level of work experience appropriate to the field of study. Also taken into careful consideration is the trajectory of results, an applicant without an overall 2.1 but with 2. 1 results in their final two years of study may be admitted

Costs

Tuition Fees Strategic Studies MSc

Ireland £11100 year 1
EU £23800 year 1
England UK £11100 year 1
Northern Ireland £11100 year 1
Scotland £11100 year 1
Wales £11100 year 1
Channel Islands £11100 year 1
International £23800 year 1

Additional fee information

Tuition fees given are at the full-time rate. The part-time fee rate for taught postgraduate programmes is 50% of the relevant full-time fee rate.

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.

University Rankings

Positions of University of Aberdeen in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of University of Aberdeen in related subject specific rankings.

Social Studies & Humanities

    • #4 
    • #176 
    Social Sciences
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 26 October, 2022]
    • #3 
    • #211 
    Social Sciences
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]

See all 28 university rankings of University of Aberdeen

About University of Aberdeen

Dating back to the year 1495 we find the University of Aberdeen, located in the Scottish city of the same name. The main site of this ancient institution is Old Aberdeen, where students in the arts and social sciences as well as the physical sciences carry out their learning. Meanwhile on the significantly more modern campus site Foresterhill, learners in the medical and research fields occupy their own purpose-built buildings, such as Suttie Centre.

List of 511 Bachelor and Master Courses from University of Aberdeen - Course Catalogue

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