International Relations MA
About this course
Wars and division; poverty and pandemics; the climate and cost of living crises. Take a deeper dive behind the headlines to ask tougher questions about urgent issues. In an increasingly globalised and interconnected world, the challenges we face demand cooperation — and that’s where you come in.
On this QAA-accredited Masters course, you’ll be conducting a more dynamic, disruptive investigation of international relations; one that stretches far beyond the traditionally Euro-centric perspectives to embrace regional and minority voices. Supported by a teaching and research team drawn from four continents — plus a string of prestigious guest speakers — you’ll explore the key contemporary debates, growing as an analyst, critical thinker, and sustainability champion. You’ll interrogate your own biases as you examine concepts like ‘power’, ‘citizenship’, and ‘the state’, and you’ll consolidate your theoretical knowledge by developing into an elite-level communicator and negotiator.
This course is for problem-solvers, the socially and environmentally responsible, and the politically and culturally curious. Only by seeing the world through the eyes of others can we become truly global citizens — appreciating the key issues shaping our age, and understanding how ethical, empathetic decisions can help to create meaningful change. With those insights, and a great career awaits you in diplomacy, the media, political advising and advocacy, and much, much more.
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100% of our students on the course are satisfied with the quality of the course (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2024).
What you’ll study
Explore the theories, policies, and practices of international relations — become an informed, independent critic of global affairs, and the worldwide drivers for decision making. This interdisciplinary course incorporates exciting ideas from emerging fields, giving you a richer, better-rounded, and altogether more contemporaneous learning experience. Together, we’ll explore the past, present, and potential future of international relations.
From food and water scarcity, to the rising prominence of the sustainability agenda, to prejudice and decolonisation, to the fundamentally human questions of war and peace, you’ll be learning and researching at the forefront of the field. What’s more, you’ll be part of a hugely diverse learning community, working alongside passionate coursemates from around the world.
With a balance of theoretical rigour and lively debate, you’ll explore the key theories, concepts, and conversations of international relations. Uncover the different applications of ideas like ‘the world order’; unpack and analyse your own ideological baggage and biases; examine the role of state and non-state actors, and our ever-changing interpretations of ‘security’. You’ll grow your skills and scope as a researcher, by exploring new methods, techniques, and processes, and you’ll have the opportunity to choose from an inviting range of electives — optional modules that span everything from ‘Environmental Citizenship’ to ‘Negotiating in International Contexts’. It’s our way of ensuring that your studies remain aligned with your own personal interests and ambitions.
The course culminates in your choice of a dissertation or work-based project (where you’ll be collaborating with a relevant civic or community organisation). Either way, you’ll be delivering a research plan that showcases the full breadth of the skills, knowledge, and experiences you’ve accumulated throughout the course.
International Relations Theories
The purpose of this module is to introduce you to the range of approaches in international theory. Within International Relations theory there are many varied interpretations and applications of key concepts (e.g. power, the state, agency, structure, and world order) as well as contested views about the practical purpose underpinning theories of world politics. This module gives you the opportunity to explore the key tenets of the major theories of international relations and secondly will encourage you to critically analyse your assumptions and ideological baggage.
Diplomacy, Foreign Policy and Security
The aim of this module is to compliment the first term IR Theory module which provides you with the ability to consider international issues from a macro theoretical perspective. In contrast, the Diplomacy, Foreign Policy, and Security module will consider international political and security issues from the point of view of foreign policy processes and diplomatic method. The module provides you with an opportunity to explore global security challenges through various micro-theoretical perspectives offered by the International Relations subfields of Foreign Policy Analysis and Diplomacy.
Issues and Methods in Social Research
The aim of this module is to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the theory and methods of social research. You will interrogate key methodological debates regarding the production of knowledge and develop an understanding of a range of research designs and methods. You will also develop a range of skills, enabling you to apply your knowledge to the conduct of research. The module will therefore prepare you for carrying out research for your Dissertation, Work-based Dissertation and Policy Lab modules.
SPS (Social and Political Sciences) Dissertation
The content of this module is different from others due to the nature of the exercise it entails. In many ways the dissertation is the culmination of your knowledge, skills and abilities gained throughout the academic year. Whilst ultimately it will entail a sustained independent engagement with a topic of your choice, regular supervision will be provided to help your research during the planning, preparation, and writing-up process.
The module is supported by a number of workshops which will allow you to develop your ability to design, carry out and present research of a high standard. The workshops will also help you to think about specific research projects and receive formative feedback on your work. Dissertation topics should fall within the overall remit of the courses. The course teams will assist you in negotiating an appropriate topic. The dissertation should demonstrate research skills in a particular context, identifying a problem which is of interest in your discipline, and analysing that problem.
You will also choose one of the following optional modules:*
Environmental Citizenship
The module considers the relationship between citizenship and the environment. It provides a critical overview of the last 20 years of academic debates concerning environmental citizenship, including models drawn from the civic-republican, liberal, anarchist, feminist, post-colonial and (post)cosmopolitan traditions within Western political thought. A range of contemporary environmental and sustainability issues, such as those relating to food, energy, clothing, waste, and consumption, will be explored in the context of these debates.
Global Governance and International Institutions
This module provides a programme of study on the concept, theories and processes of global governance with a focus on the role of contemporary international institutions. The study of global governance is becoming increasingly important in a world facing a multitude of problems requiring multilateral action.
Negotiating in International Contexts
This module focuses on strengthening your negotiation and diplomacy skills. It is for those interested in developing their diplomatic and negotiation skills as well as their ability to form reasoned arguments and speak confidently in public. The module is centred around a simulation of EU decision-making. The best students will then have a chance to participate in the prestigious, annual international EuroSim competition held in either the US or Europe, or any other extracurricular simulation activity (for example Model UN).
Gender and Security
This module focuses on the study of gender in global politics and security. As Feminist Security Studies is a rapidly developing sub-filed of International Relations and Critical Security Studies, this module enables you to acquire theoretical insights into the gendered realities of contemporary world politics and insecurities. As the wider feminist research itself, this module draws on interdisciplinary theoretical discussions, ranging from politics and IR, security, or sociology to criminology and international development.
* The number of places available on some optional modules may be limited. These will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Students who are unable to select their first choice will be offered an alternative from the remaining optional modules.
We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves
Q&A - Politics, International Relations, Security and Public Policy Masters courses
How you're taught
Study and support
The course is delivered through workshops, lectures and small group seminars. You'll have the opportunity to participate in seminars, workshops and joint work with students of other postgraduate courses. This provides opportunities for you to meet and interact with our thriving research community.
Assessment methods
Assessment on the course involves coursework, report writing, presentations and group work. There are also class tests, critical reviews, and critical bibliographies to prepare. To encourage and facilitate independent learning the course will take full advantage of NTU's online workspace (NOW).
An active research environment
Teaching on the course is drawn directly from regionally aligned research strengths in the Middle East, North Africa, Asia, the Indian sub-continent, and Europe. This research feeds directly into the course allowing you to learn about the latest issues in this field from world-renowned experts.
Find out more about research in Politics and International Relations.
In-sessional English language support
In-sessional English language support classes are available to all international (non-EU) students studying on degree courses at NTU. There is no extra charge for these classes.
Contact hours
You will have around 8-10 hours per week of contact time (lectures, seminars and workshops). Approximately 90% of this teaching is in person. Overall, contact time makes up around 30% of a full-time week, while the remaining 70% of your time will be devoted to independent study.
Careers and employability
By nature, the International Relations subject aims to foster your global citizenship characteristics with the discipline’s focus on openness to the world, and its focus on sustainability issues. In addition, the knowledge and skills that you attain are generally those that employers in a variety of different sectors seek, which means that as a graduate of this course you should have a good opportunity to promote yourself to suitable employers.
As an International Relations graduate from this course, you'll have had the opportunity to reflect on the subject and transferable skills that you have learned while preparing coursework, and those include expertise in writing complex yet concise analytical pieces, developing and implementing projects, and the ability to present in-depth ideas with confidence. You will also have been helped and encouraged to articulate those skills in relation to particular occupations that you may be interested in pursuing. The course also focuses on developing the following skills: communication, time management, team-working, and IT / modern technologies. Each module in this course is designed to engage you in developing these skills which often form part of assessed assignments.
Alongside providing such transferable skills, we believe that the optional pathway through the Dissertation module will strongly enhance your employability skills and, more generally, the course's engagement with contemporary global issues will ensure that your knowledge and ‘openness' to the wider world is up-to-date and relevant.
A number of students seek internships and placements during the summer months and are assisted by the International Relations team to find relevant experiences. This allows graduates from this course to seek a wide range of careers and professions.
You may wish to pursue a career in relevant government departments or international aid and development agencies. In the private sector, businesses are increasingly looking for graduates with an understanding of international / global events and processes.
Our graduates have gone to work in roles such as:
- Programme management
- Procurement
- Social work
- Research officer
- Civil servant
*Data extracted from the Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020/21 and 2019/20, surveying graduates 15 months after finishing their degree.
Employability team
Our expert Employability team will work closely with you at every stage of your career planning, providing personal support and advice. You can benefit from this service at any time during your studies, and for up to three years after completing your course. Find out more about the service.
Campus and facilities
You’ll mainly be studying in the Chaucer and Newton buildings, at the centre of our vibrant City Campus. As well as a range of classrooms and lecture theatres, the facilities including a mock prison cell, banks of open-access PCs, social spaces for either quiet study or busy group work.
NTU’s City Campus has everything you’ll need to stay busy between lectures. As well as the Boots Library and its beautiful roof garden, there’s our stylish Students’ Union building and two-storey, 100-station gym; a whole host of cafés, bars, restaurants and food outlets for every taste; our much-loved Global Lounge; performance and rehearsal spaces for musicians; and much, much more!
Take a few steps off campus and you’ll find yourself in the heart of Nottingham — one of Britain’s top 10 student cities, and one of Europe’s top 25. It’s stuffed with history, culture, and well-kept secrets to discover at your leisure. Enjoy lush green spaces, galleries, hidden cinemas and vintage shopping by day, and an acclaimed food, drink and social scene by night.
Take our virtual tour to get a real feel for the campus.
Entry requirements
Applying with prior qualifications
- You will need an undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK undergraduate honours degree (normally 2.2 or above).
If you hold a first degree but it doesn't meet the entry requirements above, please refer to the information below.
Applying with non-standard entry qualifications/experience
- Applicants with non-standard entry qualifications and/or relevant experience will be considered on an individual basis. You will be required to demonstrate how your experiences and knowledge would enable you to study this course at Masters-level in your Personal Statement.
No references are required when applying for this course.
NTU may admit a student with advanced standing beyond the beginning of a course, through an assessment of that student's prior learning, whether it is certificated or uncertificated. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available to these prospective students, such as recognising experiential learning or transferring to a similar course at another institution, otherwise known as credit transfer.
All prospective students who wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning should initially contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please contact us at Ask NTU or call +44 (0)115 848 4200.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form
- You will need an undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK undergraduate honours degree (normally a 2.2 or above).
If you hold a first degree but it doesn't meet the entry requirements above, please refer to the information below.
- Applicants with non-standard entry qualifications and/or relevant experience will be considered on an individual basis. You will be required to demonstrate how your experiences and knowledge would enable you to study this course at Masters-level in your Personal Statement.
International qualifications
We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:
Postgraduate preparation courses (Pre-Masters)
If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Pre-Masters courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:
English language entry requirements
You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
Fees and funding
Fees for September 2025
| Study route | Home (UK students) |
|---|---|
| Full-time | £8,750 |
| Part-time | £4,375 for Year One |
*Please note that if you are considering a course that runs over more than one year, the tuition fee stated is for the first year of study. The course fee for the second year may be subject to annual review.
Funding your studies
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there's no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.
There are numerous sources of funding available for postgraduate students, both from external sources such as the Government and funding bodies and from the University.
There are two main costs involved with postgraduate study: the cost of your tuition fees which are paid directly to the University, and living expenses such as accommodation, travel and food.
You might be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies, We award scholarships to those students who can demonstrate excellent achievement, passion and dedication to their studies.
Please take a look at our postgraduate fees and funding page for information about sourcing grants, bursaries and scholarships, and much more.
Alumni Discount
We’re happy to be able to offer a 20% alumni discount to most current NTU students and recent NTU alumni. This discount is currently available for those starting an eligible postgraduate taught, postgraduate research or professional course.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494
Fees for September 2025
| Study route | International/ EU students |
|---|---|
| Full-time | £17,850 |
| Part-time | £8,925 for Year One |
*Please note that if you are considering a course that runs over more than one year, the tuition fee stated is for the first year of study. The course fee for the second year may be subject to annual review.
Scholarships
We offer scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for your scholarship when you have an offer to study at NTU.
Living costs
Get advice on the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham and how to budget:
Paying fees
Find out about advanced payments, instalment plan options and how to make payments securely to the University:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
How to apply
All applications to this course can be made through our NTU Applicant Portal.
If you are interested in joining us in September 2025, this course will be open for applications through the applicant portal from September 2024.
Writing your application
Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. Make sure you include as much information as possible, including uploading evidence of results already achieved, as well as a personal statement.
You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU in our postgraduates’ guide.
All applications welcome
We welcome applications from prospective students with a range of qualifications and experience, and all are assessed on an individual basis. Applicants who do not meet the standard entry criteria can still be considered providing they have relevant experience to complement any qualifications. All applicants will need to apply through our NTU Applicant Portal.
If you're applying without prior qualifications, you'll need to submit comprehensive details of your achievements with evidence to substantiate your claim (any documentation can be uploaded to the My Documents section of the Applicant Portal). This type of application will be considered with respect to the University’s provision for ‘accreditation for prior experiential learning’. Decisions regarding the accreditation of prior learning are a matter of academic judgement.
Keeping up to date
After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process - so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Open days
The School of Social Sciences holds open events throughout the year. Come along and learn more about our courses, speak to programme leaders and find out about studying with the School.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or support, you can call our Admissions Team on +44 (0)115 848 4200, or contact us at Ask NTU.
Good luck with your application!
Apply online through our NTU applicant portal.
Application advice
Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example. After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Writing your personal statement
Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
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