International Relations MA
University of Portsmouth
Key Course Facts
Salary
Salary of all UK Graduates of
| 15 months after graduation | 3 years after graduation | 5 years after graduation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median salary | £22481 | £20177 | £23660 |
| 25-75 percentile range | £20119 - £25653 | £15142 - £24804 | £17699 - £30158 |
All courses in the UK
Course Description
Overview
If you're interested in national and international organisations, conflict and uncertainty, and in how they are shaping contemporary international relations, our MA International Relations will develop your grasp of the central issues. You'll study issues related to civil society and security, such as weapons of mass destruction (WMD), terrorism and political violence, and explore the power of social movements, political resistance and rebellion.
You'll challenge conventional explanations, develop your own arguments, and participate in key debates about international relations and global politics. You'll develop advanced analytic skills and critical assessment abilities, and learn to write engaging reports, policy briefs and essays.
When you graduate, you'll be in a strong position to generate creative solutions that benefit the global economy and international society. You will be suited for roles in security, development, social policy, governance, advocacy and communications. Previous graduates have gone on to work in parliaments, political parties, third sector and civil society organisations.
You'll be suited for roles in security, development, social policy, governance, advocacy and communications. Previous graduates have gone on to work in parliaments, political parties, third sector and civil society organisations.
Prefer to study online?
If you'd rather not attend university in person, you can study MA International Relations online.
What you'll experience
On this course you'll:
- Immerse yourself in pressing topics, such as whether global civil society can promote security, development and rights, how terrorism and political violence shape domestic and political affairs, how nuclear and other security threats have evolved, and the role the EU endeavours to play in global politics
- Learn from passionate and experienced academics involved in leading international relations research on subjects including development NGOs and language, transnational civil society, and remote warfare
- Build up expertise in issues relating to security, risk and global civil society, and understand how to apply this to real world problems as they happen
- Hear expert guest lecturers respond to current global events, the security dimensions and international ramifications, such as the conflict in Ukraine
- Develop a high level of specialist knowledge in an area of your choice through your dissertation
You can study the course full-time or part-time, either on campus or through distance learning.
Careers and opportunities
With a rounded skill set, and knowledge of international issues, you'll be an informed global citizen, with a sense of responsibility and commitment to ethical practice and issues of global social justice.
What can I do with a Master's degree in international relations?
This MA International Relations Master's degree will put you in a strong position to pursue job roles in areas and organisations such as:
- national, European and international state institutions
- political parties
- political lobbyists
- think tanks
- security and risk analysis
- foreign affairs analysis
- political communication and journalism
You could also continue your studies in postgraduate research, leading to a qualification such as a PhD.
You can get help and support from our Careers and Employability service in finding a role and for 5 years after you you leave the University.
Entry Requirements / Admissions
English language requirements
| test | Grade | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0. |
|
| Cambridge English Advanced | **Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) taken after January 2015** An overall score of 176 with no component score less than 169 |
|
| Cambridge English Proficiency | Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 176 with no component score less than 169. |
|
| TOEFL (iBT) | 91.with a minimum of 20 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 20 in Writing. |
|
| PTE Academic | An overall score of 61 with a minimum of 54 in each skill. |
A minimum of a second-class honours degree in Politics, International Relations, Peace Studies, Sociology or History, or a 2:1 honours degree in another relevant humanities or social sciences subject, or a first-class honours degree in any subject. Equivalent (directly relevant to course content and extensive) professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered.
Costs
Tuition Fees International Relations MA
| EU | £5200 | year 1 |
|---|---|---|
| England UK | £5200 | year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £5200 | year 1 |
| Scotland | £5200 | year 1 |
| Wales | £5200 | year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £5200 | year 1 |
| Ireland | £5200 | year 1 |
| International | £9400 | year 1 |
Additional fee information
Students who are resident in EU countries: please note that the net fee is inclusive of the Transition Scholarship.
Fees are accurate at the time of publishing and are subject to change at any time without notice.
Fees may also go up in later years, in line with inflation
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 Portsmouth in top UK and global rankings.
Rankings of University of Portsmouth in related subject specific rankings.
Social Studies & Humanities
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-
- #55
- #401
-
- Social Sciences
-
THE World University Rankings by Subject
[Published 19 October, 2023]
-
-
- #52
- #451
-
- Social Sciences
-
NTU Rankings by Subject
[Published 11 July, 2023]
See all 31 university rankings of University of Portsmouth
About University of Portsmouth
The University of Portsmouth is located on the United Kingdom’s only island city, Portsmouth. This public university, which was previously known as Portsmouth Polytechnic, forms part of the University Alliance, an organisation whose aim is to promote growth and innovation in the UK by putting an emphasis on links with business and industry.
List of 234 Bachelor and Master Courses from University of Portsmouth - Course Catalogue
Student composition of University of Portsmouth
-
Total number of students enrolled at University of Portsmouth by level Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
- undergraduates:
- 18085
- postgraduates:
- 5005
- Total:
- 23090
-
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
Where is this programme taught
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City | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
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Ranking publishers
THE Times Higher Education, UK
- Published:
- 19 October, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -THE World University Rankings by Subject:
- 37.4% Teaching (the Learning Environment)
37.6% Research (Volume, Income and Reputation)
15% Citations (Research Influence)
7.5% International Outlook (Staff, Students and Research)
2.5% Industry Income (Knowledge Transfer)
NTU ranking
- Published:
- 11 July, 2023
