The MA/MRes in Politics and International Relations is distinctive as it is one of the most diverse collections of Masters’s pathways in the UK. The program offers the possibility of developing an individual specialism as well as learning about broader issues in the pathway, and in wider fields of Politics and International Relations. You will gain a thorough grounding in the philosophical and practical issues underpinning study and research in Politics and International Relations. You will study 3 compulsory core taught modules, 4 optional modules, and a dissertation over 12 months.
Key benefits of studying for the MA/MRes in Politics and International Relations include; small class sizes, expert dissertation supervision on cutting-edge issues and debates, a dynamic academic community, strong student-staff relations, and stimulating extra-curricular seminars and workshops. Staff and students regularly organize research events, which provide important opportunities for learning, networking, and collegial debate on contemporary political and philosophical issues. For example, we host an annual Royal Institute of Philosophy lecture series, a bi-annual European Consortium on Political Research environmental politics Ph.D. summer school, and in recent years have organized several ESRC-funded (Economic and Social Research Council) seminars series. The School of Social, Political, and Global Studies is a multi-disciplinary school that brings together research-led academics to produce world-class research.
Core Taught Modules
- Research in Action
- Advanced Approaches to Politics and International Relations
- A pathway-specific module
Examples of pathways specific to International Relations include:
- Human Rights and Global Politics
- Rethinking Fault-Lines: Beyond the East/West Divide in Global Politics
- The Changing International Agenda
- Foundations of Human Rights
Optional Modules
- The Theory Of Global Security
- The Changing International Agenda
- Comparative European Politics
- Diplomatic Law
- Equality, Discrimination & Minorities
- Race & Justice: Civil Rights In The US
- Equality, Discrimination & Minorities (Law module)
- Foundations of Human Rights (Law module)
- Diplomatic Practice
- War, Memory and Popular Culture
- Maritime Security
- Environmental Public Policy
- Human Rights and Global Politics (Law module)
Employability
Our graduates follow a wide range of careers in the public, private and voluntary sectors. Careers include; Journalism, Banking, the government, IR Consulting, and NGOs. Alumni often come back to Keele to speak to our current students and also feature in our Spotlight on International Relations (a series of lectures by International Relations Alumni and friends). Recent speakers have included Jonty Bloom (BBC Correspondent), John Duncan OBE (Former British Ambassador and Governor of the Virgin Islands), and Fidelis Swai (former UNHCR in Somalia). The University has a Careers and Employability team that can provide you with advice and guidance about your future career. The team offers specialist workshops, for example, ‘Options with Postgraduate Study’ and Moving on with your Ph.D.’, and can also meet you individually to give guidance and support to help you develop your career. We also hold regular careers fairs on campus and informal events where you can meet employers. You will also have access to our database of job opportunities and digital resources such as online psychometric testing.
