Everything you need to know...
International/EU: £16,385 or £17,885 (with work experience) for the course
Course summary
- Gain a critical understanding of the theory and practice of international relations.
- Explore the political, cultural, social, and economic crises facing the world today.
- Learn how patterns of power, knowledge and inequality are reproduced globally.
- Develop practical expertise in non-violent communication and conflict resolution.
This course examines the complex worlds we live in. You’ll explore issues of race, class, gender and geography to challenge how knowledge about contemporary international relations is produced. By studying topics such as terrorism, war, security and peace-making – you’ll gain critical and practical skills to understand how global crises manifest and can be overcome.
Come to an open day
Find out more at our postgraduate open days. Book now for your place.
How you learn
Your lecturer's view
All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.
On this course you’ll discuss international relations and global crises with our expert academics and your fellow students. You’ll analyse contemporary international issues in-depth – critically examining the discipline of international relations itself, to unpack the relationship between theory and practice.
The teaching and design of the modules you’ll study are both informed by our team’s ongoing research and expertise. We use consistent block-teaching times, helping you plan your commitments outside of university.
You learn through
- interactive workshops
- lectures and seminars
- independent study
- personal supervision
- practical activities and group work
- special guest lectures
Throughout the course you’ll learn critical and practical skills, helping you make sense of the complexities and contradictions of world politics. Core modules cover the origins of international relations, key events, issues and crises of the past and present.
You’ll learn why we should seek to decolonise and decentre how knowledge about international relations is produced and reproduced. These modules provide a solid foundation so you can fulfil your potential, whether you’re new or returning to the discipline of international relations.
You will be supported in your learning journey towards highly skilled, graduate-level employment through a number of key areas. These include
- access to our unique student support triangle to help with your personal, academic and career development
- access to our Skills Centre with one to ones, webinars and online resources, where you can get help with planning and structuring your assignments
- dedicated one-to-one supervision support with your dissertation research project
Course leaders and tutors
Matthew Hurley
Senior Lecturer in Politics & International RelationsLecturer in Politics (International Relations)
Applied learning
Live projects
Your research will be applied to real–world issues within international relations. You’ll develop practical expertise such as non-violent communication, mediation and conflict resolution skills. You’ll also be able to focus on producing policy documents, portfolios and conference organisation.
Networking opportunities
You’ll be part of an active community in the Politics Subject Group – as well as the Department of Psychology, Sociology and Politics, and the wider university. In the Politics Subject Group we conduct research projects and publish academic books and articles in areas such as
- charity and community work
- the politics of the European Union and NATO
- the politics of welfare, terrorism and counterterrorism
- the political theory of new social movements
- war and security studies
Throughout the course you'll interact with academics and specialists in your field. The course features a number of special events with guest speakers – including the Sociology and Politics Seminar Series, which attracts researchers working on a range of social, political and international issues.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in
- non-governmental organisations
- international organisations
- the voluntary sector
- the civil service
- parliamentary or political research
- international development
- political think tanks
- teaching
- a wide range of graduate schemes across different professions with an international focus
- further academic study, such as PhD research
Where will I study?
You study at Collegiate Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
Collegiate campus
Collegiate Campus can be found just off Ecclesall Road, a bustling student district.
Collegiate Campus map | Campus facilities | Keeping safe on Campus
Collegiate library
Collegiate Library can be found just off Ecclesall Road. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
Our teaching takes place on the Collegiate campus. You’ll have access to excellent facilities and learning resources, including an on-campus library. The interactive workshops, lectures and seminars take place in well-equipped classrooms, supported by dedicated virtual-learning platforms.
We’ve invested over £100m in new facilities in the last five years, to help you study how and when you want. This means 24-hour libraries and study spaces designed by our students.
Entry requirements
All students
A UK undergraduate degree at 2:2 or above in international relations, politics, or related field (or an equivalent overseas qualification). It is expected that students are proficient in the English language and, where appropriate, have an overall 6.5 in IELTS, with a minimum of 6.0 in writing. In some circumstances, students without traditional undergraduate qualifications will be considered. It is envisaged that these applicants will have relevant work experience.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. Please be aware that due to the way in which this particular MA is structured, not all modules listed here will be offered in any given year and therefore elective modules are not applicable to this course. For further information on the structure of the MA please contact the course leader.
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Communities In Crisis | Credits: 15 |
Assessment:
Coursework Practical |
| Module: Decolonising And Decentering International Relations | Credits: 30 |
Assessment:
Coursework Practical |
| Module: Dissertation | Credits: 45 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: European (Dis)Integration | Credits: 15 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Gender And Sexualities In Global Context | Credits: 15 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: International Relations In Theory And Practice | Credits: 30 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Parties And Politics In 21St Century Britain: Crisis Or Convergence? | Credits: 15 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Peacemaking Communication | Credits: 15 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Research Methods | Credits: 15 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Seminar Series/Conference Organisation | Credits: 15 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Terrorism: Violent Threat And Security Response | Credits: 15 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: The Rise (And Fall) Of The Welfare State In International Society | Credits: 15 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Western Political Theory In/And Crisis | Credits: 15 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2023/24 is £9,910 for the course without work experience placement or £11,410 with work experience placement. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time.
† If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2023/24 is £16,385 for the course without work experience placement or £17,885 with work experience placement. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time.
Postgraduate student loans
Up to £11,222 available for Home students on most masters courses.
Additional course costs
This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
Additional costs for Sociology and politics courses (PDF, 215.7KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
