MSc International Relations Theory

About the MSc programme

The MSc in International Relations Theory is based in the Department of International Relations| and offers the following benefits:

• Study in a leading world centre for the subject, situated in the only UK institution devoted to the social sciences, and in a thriving research community which (together with the Government Department) received one of the highest rankings in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise.
• Most of our former MSc students go on to work in government, international organisations, financial institutions, journalism and corporations, but a good number continue on to research degrees and the academic profession.
• A strong focus on theory together with a wide choice of optional subjects.
• The opportunity to participate in the editing and production of Millennium, one of the leading international relations journals.

The programme is designed for students who want to look deeply at the theoretical aspects of international relations. Materials to be studied include classical and contemporary forms of realism and liberalism, the 'English School', constructivism, critical approaches to the subject, normative theory, and feminist scholarship. The programme is particularly suitable for those students intending to proceed to a research degree and an academic career, but will also be of interest to anyone who wishes to deepen their conceptual grasp of contemporary IR.

Most of the teaching takes place in the Michaelmas and Lent terms. A 10,000 word dissertation must be submitted by 1 September.

Compulsory courses

• Theories of International Relations
• Dissertation

Options

(* half unit)

Choose one full unit from:

• Strategic Aspects of International Relations
• Introduction to International Political Theory*
• The International Political Theory of Humanitarian Intervention*
• The Politics of International Law* 
• Conflict and Peace Studies
• The International Politics of Culture and Religion 
• Post-colonial Perspectives in International Relations*
• Theory of International Society: English School Texts*  
• Gender and Militarisation*
• Genocide*

Choose a second paper

either from the list above or from the list of options available for the MSc International Relations| programme.

You may take other relevant courses with the approval of your adviser.

Please note that not all optional courses are necessarily available each academic year. Applicants offered a place for 2012/13 will be notified on the departmental website| of any course which will not be available in their year of study.

You may find it helpful to read the International Relations Department's FAQs| for prospective MSc International Relations Theory applicants.