International Relations (Research) MSc

The MSc International Relations Research programme offers a deeper exploration of the ways in which people think about international relations, how international relations are theorised and conceptualised, and why actors behave as they do when conducting international relations as a field of practice. The compulsory core course covers the main explanatory and normative approaches in international relations theory—realism, liberalism, the English School, constructivism, normative theory, gender and feminist writings, and postcolonial perspectives. This comprehensive theoretical foundation enables students to critically evaluate competing frameworks and understand international relations as knowledge, as a social science, and as a practical discipline. Distinguishing the Research track from the standard MSc International Relations programme, this variant includes a compulsory course in social research methods. This methodological training equips researchers with essential skills in designing rigorous studies, selecting appropriate research techniques, and conducting ethical inquiry. Students gain proficiency in qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches, preparing them for independent scholarly work. The dissertation component—a 10,000-word original research project—represents the capstone of the MSc programme. This substantial piece of independent research allows students to investigate questions of genuine intellectual interest, apply theoretical frameworks to empirical problems, and develop advanced analytical and writing skills highly valued in academic and policy contexts. The MSc programme provides considerable flexibility through optional courses available both within the Department of International Relations and across the broader School. This interdisciplinary approach enables students to tailor their studies to specific research interests and career aspirations, whether in academia, international organisations, policy analysis, or research institutions. Graduates develop sophisticated understanding of international phenomena, advanced research capabilities, and critical thinking skills applicable across multiple professional domains.