International Relations, Conflict and Security MA
1 Year Full-Time | September Start
Option for Placement Year
Option for Study Abroad
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Option for Placement Year
Option for Study Abroad
Northumbria’s International Relations Conflict and Security Masters gives you the opportunity to study regionally differentiated responses to international conflict, across different countries and nations, focusing on the relationship between international and national interests.
Our course will allow you to investigate key developments in international conflict and security, the responses to them and analyse the ways in which security, development and humanitarian agents adapt to instability as a policy challenge. You will study different types of war and conflict, including inter-state war, inter-state wars (ethnic or civil conflict, independence movements, new wars and complex emergencies), international terrorism; as well as political, institutional and legal tools and frameworks to address them.
Our Master's program is open to students from a wide range of undergraduate disciplines.
Our MA will prepare you for careers in areas such political/policy analysts, programme/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.
See other similar courses you may be interested in: International Development MSc
Level of Study
Postgraduate
Mode of Study
1 year Full Time
Department
Social Sciences
Location
City Campus, Northumbria University
City
Newcastle
Start
September 2024
Fees
Fee Information
Modules
Module Information
Discover the funding options available to you.
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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.
• 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 and take a listen to a recent Public Lecture âUS vs Iranâ delivered by Senior Lecturer, Dr Hannes Cerny
Take a look at what Northumbria has to offer and discover what studying with us can do for you.
You will be taught by experienced academics whose expertise is underpinned by a strong track record of related research activity.
We have 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.
Meet our staff who teach the International Relations Masters.
Here are just a few of Northumbria's academic staff with expertise in this area. Click through to 'All staff profiles' to explore further.
Take a look at what Northumbria has to offer and discover what studying with us can do for you.
In conjunction with traditional lectures and seminars, we use a range of technology-enhanced applications including Blackboard and electronic reading lists to support your learning.
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 look at what Northumbria has to offer and discover what studying with us can do for you.
Research is embedded into the structure of this degree, and from the very beginning you will experience a mix of research-led, research-tutored and research-based teaching.
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.
Our MA International Relations, Conflict and Security is designed to give you a firm grounding in theoretical and professional development. 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 in areas such as banking and accountancy services, local and national governments, non-government organisations (NGO’s), multi-lateral and intergovernmental organisations. Roles include, diplomat, consultant, civil servant, political affairs officer, economists, journalist, public relations or media relations manager, amongst others.
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 EU Fee: £18,250
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 informationYE7001 -
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.
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 informationYE7001 -
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.
Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help. They can be contacted on 0191 406 0901 or by using our Contact Form.
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If you’d like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.
* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here
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