Coventry University - MA International Relations

Coventry University

MA International Relations

If you are interested in pursuing an international career in government, public administration, diplomacy, policy formation or research, this course will help you to examine and interpret issues and challenges facing our increasingly interconnected world.

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Covering themes as varied as globalisation, international law, international trade, diplomacy, war and peace, it is designed to build on the strengths and expertise that the School of Humanities has in the field of international politics and security. We adopt a multidisciplinary approach, drawing on theories and practice from political science, history, sociology, economics and cultural studies, among others.

Entry Requirements

Successful applicants must normally hold a second class honours degree in a relevant discipline.

Applicants who can demonstrate considerable experience at an appropriate professional level but who do not have the formal academic entry qualifications may also be admitted, subject to an application and assessment.

This course requires IELTS of 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5. Pre-sessional English is available if required.

Career Prospects

Employers are looking for individuals with the ability to work across different cultures, to manage teams and possess problem-solving and critical analysis skills.

As well as giving you the opportunity to achieve two additional awards, the CMI* accredited Global Professional Development module will help set you apart in a competitive job market. It'll provide practical leadership skills to critically evaluate and develop solutions for complex, inter-related, multi-faceted issues that you will experience in your future organisations.

The course will provide both an academically demanding experience and one which will be of practical use in your career. We encourage you to gain first-hand experience through volunteering and placement opportunities. Previously students have, undertaken internships in embassies and high commissions, such as the Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, think-tanks, including the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London, the Institute of Cultural Diplomacy in Berlin and the South-South International Cooperation organisation in Palermo, and undertaken research in universities abroad such as the Arab-American University in Jenin.

The course prepares you for roles such as public administration within a Foreign Service or other government department, international civil service (such as the United Nations or European Union), international agencies and non-governmental organisations, as well as multinational corporations, the international media, teaching and research.

Course Details

This fascinating course explores the discipline of international relations, from a theoretical and practical perspective and in the context of issues and events in contemporary politics and society.

You will study eight modules covering a range of theoretical and empirical approaches to the study of international relations, including modules exploring the nature of diplomacy and the challenges facing the international system.

Using case studies and actual events, you can explore the actions of governmental, inter-governmental and non-governmental agencies, private enterprise and international bodies in relation to key threats to international cohesion, such as terrorism, insecurity, poverty and human trafficking. You will have opportunities to gain insights into the motivations of policy-makers, as well as assessing the impact of these theats on individuals, communities and countries. 

To attain the award of Master of Arts, you will be required to complete an extended dissertation examining in depth an area of the course that particularly interests you, based on research undertaken with the support of a dedicated supervisor. In the last year, students have researched Europe’s refugee crisis; celebrity diplomacy; the implications of drone technology for diplomacy; the relationship between Iran and Saudi Arabia; cyber diplomacy; and piracy off the coast of Nigeria.

The relevance of course content is reinforced by our staff’s current involvement in professional organisations, such as the British International Studies Association (BISA), the Political Studies Association (PSA), the University Association for Contemporary European Studies, the African Studies Association of the UK (ASAUK) and the European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR).

The School of Humanities maintains an outstanding network of professional contacts spanning diplomats and diplomacy specialists in a range of prestigious external organisations, both private and public. Our network includes Chatham House, the International Slavery Museum, the Royal African Society. These links are reflected in regular talks and events. Past examples include workshops facilitated by the assistant district attorney of Sicily; a senior anti-trafficking prosecutor from Nigeria; the CEO of the NHS Counter-Fraud Authority; a senior manager from the UK’s National Crime Agency and a forensic accountant from the Italian national police (talks and events are subject to availability).

Year One

• Critical Thinking
• Diplomacy and the International System
• Resilience in the International System
• Applied International Relations Theory
• Threats to Global Security
• Corruption in the International System
• International Security Praxis
• Changing Character of War and Terrorism
• Leading Diverse Workforces
• Dissertation in the Humanities and Social Science

Attachments

*The information’s are correct at the time of publishing, however it may change if university makes any changes after we have published the information. While we try our best to provide correct information, It is advisable to call us or visit university website for up to date information.

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