MA International Relations

This programme can be studied part-time as MA, Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) or Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert). The PGDip and PGCert are shorter taught versions of the masters programme. They don’t require a dissertation but provide you with masters-level content. 

Why study International Relations?

• What are the main characteristics of the international order?
• How has globalisation changed international relations?
• To what extent is the international order based on conflict or cooperation?
• How is the global financial crisis affecting international politics?
• Do foreign military interventions in civil wars help or hinder peace-making?
• Why are economic resources so unevenly spread across the world, and what are the prospects for global justice?

If you are interested in these questions and are excited at the prospect of exploring them with like-minded individuals, but your circumstances or commitments make it difficult for you to attend university, then our online International Relations MA is for you. 

The programme offers challenging and thought-provoking modules to help you formulate your answers, and a lively, intelligent group of students and academics with which to debate and exchange ideas.

Student experience interview

What's it like to study international relations online? Current student Padraig Downey tells us what a typical week looks like for him and what skills you need to succeed on the course:

On-demand webinars

Current International Relations MA student Roy Horobin discusses what motivated him to study the course and how he feels it will help him in his career:

Jef Huysmans, Director of Distance Learning Programmes, explains how you can study International Relations flexibly with Queen Mary Online: 

Watch our video on the relevance of the International Relations MA:

Watch our video on what makes our International Relations MA different:

What to expect

Want to know more? Here’s a brief summary of what you can expect if you decide to study with Queen Mary Online:

• Modules taught by academics at the cutting-edge of their fields, involved in contributing to the international understanding of the subject
• Opportunities to develop the skills and knowledge to think, talk and write critically about contemporary international challenges
• Firm foundation for further study
• Focus on traditional and current challenges in international relations in conjunction with emerging areas of interest in the developing world
• Discussions on the historical significance of globalisation and how it relates to a number of key issues in international relations.

The diversity of our staff and students makes Queen Mary a great place to study international relations. 

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Masters

Our online International Relations MA is offered on a part-time basis over the duration of two years. During that time, you will undertake four taught modules and a 12,000 word dissertation.

For each module, you will be awarded 30 credits each and you will receive a further 60 credits for your dissertation. In order to graduate you must have accrued the full 180 credits, which involves completing every aspect of the modules and passing all relevant assignments.

Postgraduate Diploma

The PGDip in International Relations is available for part time study over four semesters (two academic years). During that time, you will undertake four compulsory modules. For each module, you will be awarded 30 credits each. In order to receive your PGDip you must have accrued 120 credits, which involves completing every aspect of the modules and passing all relevant assignments.

Postgraduate Certificate

The PGCert in International Relations is available for part time study over two semesters (one academic year). During that time, you will undertake two compulsory modules. For each module, you will be awarded 30 credits each. In order to receive your PGCert you must have accrued 60 credits, which involves completing every aspect of the modules and passing all relevant assignments.

Modules

Watch our video on the International Relations MA learning outcomes:

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Entry requirements

To be eligible for the International Relations programme, you should have: 

• A minimum of an upper second-class honours degree in politics or a related discipline.*

*  We may consider graduates with a minimum of an upper second class-honours degree in another subject with either additional relevant qualifications or work experience. 

If your first language is not English, you should also have one of the following:

• IELTS Academic: 7.0 overall including 6.5 in Writing, and 5.5 in Reading, Listening and Speaking. 
• TOEFL: 100 overall including 24 in Writing, 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening and 20 in Speaking.
• PTE Academic: 68 overall including 62 in Writing, and 51 in Reading, Listening and Speaking. 

Taking your English language requirement test at home

For the May 2021 start date only, the following at-home tests are also being accepted:

• HOME TOEFL: 100 overall including 24 in Writing, 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening and 20 in Speaking.
• IELTS Indicator Test: 7.0 overall including 6.5 in Writing, and 5.5 in Reading, Listening and Speaking. 

If you would like to apply but are unsure whether you are qualified, please contact our course advisers.

International applicants

At Queen Mary, we are proud of our global community and have a long history of welcoming students from around the world. Over the years, many thousands of our international graduates have gone on to pursue successful careers. 

For any questions about the English language requirements or about entry qualifications specific to your country, please contact our course advisers.

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Tuition fees

Masters (2 years, part-time, including dissertation):

£12,500 

As an International Relations MA student at QMUL Online you might be able to receive a postgraduate loan. More information on requirements and how to apply is available here.

Postgraduate Diploma (2 years, part-time, no dissertation required):

£8,400 

Postgraduate Certificate (1 year, part-time, no dissertation required):

£4,200 

We realise this is a considerable financial investment on your part. To help you, we have a number of payment options. Details of these can be found by visiting our fees and funding page. 

Need more information?

You can apply for the International Relations MA via one of the two methods explained below.

• Completed and hand-signed Consent and Additional Info Form (Word doc download);
• Colour scanned copies of your academic certificates and transcripts for all university level qualifications. If these documents are in another language, please provided the originals and the official translated copies; 
• Your statement of purpose. One page in a Word doc detailing your motivation to study, your professional achievements and career goals. We recommend that you refer to specific modules on the course that you are looking forward to studying and why you want to study with Queen Mary;
• An up-to-date CV; 
• One reference letter to support your application. The letter must be [1] on headed paper, [2] be signed, [3] highlight your relationship with the referee, [4] provide a summary of your character and achievements [5] state that they recommend you for the programme with Queen Mary University of London. You should provide details of an academic referee if you are currently studying, or if you have graduated within the last five years. Professional references may be considered if you have graduated more than five years ago. References from a personal email address such as 'Yahoo' or 'Hotmail' are not acceptable.

• Colour scanned copies of your academic certificates and transcripts for all university level qualifications. If these documents are in another language, please provided the originals and the official translated copies; 
• Your statement of purpose. One page in a Word doc detailing your motivation to study, your professional achievements and career goals. We recommend that you refer to specific modules on the course that you are looking forward to studying and why you want to study with Queen Mary;       
• An up-to-date CV;     
• One reference letter to support your application. The letter must be [1] on headed paper, [2] be signed, [3] highlight your relationship with the referee, [4] provide a summary of your character and achievements [5] state that they recommend you for the programme with Queen Mary University of London. You should provide details of an academic referee if you are currently studying, or if you have graduated within the last five years. Professional references may be considered if you have graduated more than five years ago. References from a personal email address such as 'Yahoo' or 'Hotmail' are not acceptable.

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How you are assessed

As a student at Queen Mary Online, we ask you to play an active role in your acquisition of skills and knowledge. We use a mixture of online tutorials, discussion forums and group webinars designed to generate informed discussion around set topics.

I enjoy the mix of different types of information-delivery and activities, such as the reading exercises, lectures, webinars and commentary from experts. I have also found the reading lists very useful for providing a broader view of topics covered in each lecture.
International Relations MA student, Queen Mary Online

Assessment for the International Relations programme is by coursework only. The module leaders will set assessments appropriate to the content of their module which will usually take the form of a research essay or critical evaluation. They will also be available to advise and support you throughout the course.

The final dissertation (MA only) will involve more in-depth study and independent research on a topic agreed with your supervisor. Past topics of dissertations included:

• The global financial crisis: a failure of governments or markets?
• Is the UN fit to prevent genocide?
• Is China a good trade partner for Latin America?
• From Actions to Policy: A Theoretical Shift in U.S. Counterinsurgency Security Operations during the War on Terror in Iraq
• Is China Challenging US Economic Hegemony?
• Tackling cultures of immunity: how can the United Nations effectively address the practice of sexual abuse and exploitation by military peacekeeping forces?
• Militarizing Egypt’s Policy making arena: The Army between Socialism and Neoliberalism
• Postcolonial President? Barack Obama and Humanitarian Intervention
• Globalisation, Inequality and Underdevelopment: The Myth of Economic Convergence

Independent study

At Queen Mary Online, we take your studies seriously and in return, we hope you will do the same. Each week you will need to invest additional time on individual study. This could be spent preparing for, or following up on formal study sessions; reading; producing written work; completing projects; and undertaking research for you dissertation.

The direction of your individual study will be guided by the formal study sessions you attend, along with your reading lists and assignments. We expect you to demonstrate an active role in your own learning by reading widely and expanding your knowledge, understanding and critical ability.

Independent study helps foster the ability to identify your own learning needs and determine which areas you need to focus on to become proficient in your subject area. This is an important transferable skill and will help you throughout your working life.

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Taught by leading academics

The content of the programme is dynamic and flexible with our research-active staff responding to the latest global events in their modules. We have internationally recognised research strengths in the politics of the developing world, globalisation and development, conflict and war, migration and transnational mobility, security and critical and post-colonial theory. Our staff have regional expertise in South America, South East Asia, the Middle East, and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Programme Director

Professor Jef Huysmans

Jef Huysmans is Professor of International Politics. After finishing his PhD at the University of Leuven (Belgium), he took up a lectureship in International Relations and European studies at the University of Kent at Canterbury. Later he moved to the Open University where he taught politics and international relations and was Director of the Centre for Citizenship, Identities and Governance. He joined Queen Mary University of London in January 2016.

He is best known for his work on the politics of insecurity, the securitization of migration, and critical methods in security studies and IR. Currently he is working on security and democracy in times of surveillance, the political life of methods, and the political significance of little nothings.

He was Co-Editor-in-Chief of the ISA journal International Political Sociology from 2012 until 2016.

Full staff profile

Module Leaders

Dr Rick Saull

After graduating from Portsmouth Polytechnic in 1990 with a BA in Politics, Rick completed an MSc in International Relations at the LSE. He then spent two years teaching English as a foreign language in the Czech Republic and Spain. After returning to the UK in 1994 he moved on to doctoral studies in International Relations at the LSE completing his PhD in 1999. Prior to joining the School in September 2006, Rick lectured at the University of Leicester (2002-2006) and before that at SOAS and Richmond, the American International University in London.

Rick's doctorate outlined a new historical materialist theorization of the Cold War and since completing his doctorate he has continued to work within this framework; in the study of the international politics of revolution, the end of the Cold War and the theorization of US global power.

More recently, his work has been concerned with developing an international historical sociology of far-right social and political movements through examining the ways in which the capitalist political economy of the international system has conditioned the historical rise and contemporary development of such movements.

Dr Katharine Hall

Katharine Hall received her PhD in 2015 from the Department of Geography, Environment and Society at the University of Minnesota, where she wrote her dissertation on the history of drone technology (Lethal Surveillance: Drones and the Geo-History of Modern War). Before joining the School of Politics and International Relations at QMUL, she held a three-year postdoctoral fellowship in the Society of Fellows and the Department of Geography at Dartmouth College.

Katharine works in the fields of international relations and security studies, political geography, and science and technology studies, and her research focuses on questions related to modern war and security, military and surveillance technologies, and the longer historical and racialized geographies of militarization and practices of state violence.

Dr Patrick Pinkerton

Patrick Pinkerton is a lecturer at the School of Politics and International Relations (SPIR) at Queen Mary University of London. Prior to taking up this position, he was a Visiting Lecturer at City, University of London.

Patrick holds a PhD in International Relations from the University of Manchester. He has published work on the post-conflict situations in Northern Ireland and Bosnia-Herzegovina in the British Journal of Politics and International Relations and the Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding.

Tutors

Dr Nevena Nancheva

Nevena Nancheva is a recognised Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and has been teaching International Relations at the Master's level since 2010. Her leading research interest is nationalism in the European context. She has written on European integration, EU security and migration governance, national minorities, refugee migration, and recently, on nationalism and the construction of 'national' food.

Nevena's 2016-17 research project EU Migrants in the UK: Political Community, Identity and Security is funded by the British Academy/Leverhulme Trust. She is the co-founder of an academic research network on EU migration (eu-migrants.net) hosted by the Centre for Research on Communities, Identities and Difference at Kingston University London.

Dr Alice Martini 

Alice has a PhD in International Relations from the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, Italy, and, jointly, the Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain. Among other publications, she is the author of The UN and Counter-Terrorism: Global Hegemonies, Power, Identity (Routledge, 2021) and co-editor of Encountering Extremism (MUP, 2020).

Her research examines and deconstructs global discourses on security, (counter)terrorism and (counter)extremism, looking into the resulting practices of power and international hegemonies.

She lectures on Critical Security Studies, Critical Terrorism Studies, and, more broadly, International Relations and Global Politics theories.

Before her PhD, she collaborated with the Human Rights Office of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.

Dr Haro Karkour

Haro Karkour is a recognised Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and has been teaching online modules at Masters level since 2012. He has completed his PhD in politics at the University of Leicester with the thesis entitled 'Kosovo, Libya, and the problem with depoliticisation in the theory and practice of post-Cold War Humanitarian Intervention'.

Haro's research is focused on International Relations (IR) theory. He is currently looking at classical realism and its application to US foreign policy, the liberal international order and the 'Global IR' debate. His research has been published previously in IR journals such as International Relations and Journal of International Political Theory. 

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Where we could lead you

Graduates from our programmes progress to diverse positions of responsibility in government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), international organisations and the not-for-profit sector as well as broader roles in the media and finance sector.  They also go on to careers in academia and our programmes help students develop the required research skills.

The combination of theoretical understanding, rigorous debate, independent research, self-reflection and critical evaluation make graduates from the School of Politics and International Relations very attractive to a range of prospective employers. 

To make it more concrete, here are a few examples of where our students have been employed:

• International Monetary Fund (IMF)
• Moody's
• International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Society
• Volkswagen
• Alliance for Peacebuilding
• United Nations – Perú

You’ll also have access to QM Careers, helping you throughout your time as a QMUL student. You’ll be able to access advice on career choices and on how to maximise the career opportunities available to you. The QM Careers office also provides a service for internships, part-time work, and volunteering while you study.

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