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Aberystwyth University’s MA International Politics (Research Training) delivers intensive research mastery in global affairs, from conflict dynamics to strategic intelligence—perfect for ambitious thinkers gearing up for PhDs or policy research roles. You’ll hone advanced analytical skills through the world’s first IR department, tackling real-world challenges like security dilemmas and international governance with expert guidance .
Curriculum Structure
In your first term, you’ll anchor with International Politics core, dissecting theories of power, war, and diplomacy through seminars that probe contemporary crises like nuclear proliferation or cyber threats. Paired with Qualitative Data Collection & Analysis, you’ll master interviews and thematic coding, building skills for ethical fieldwork via practical workshops .
Term two advances with Quantitative Data Analysis, learning statistical tools and modelling for policy evaluation through hands-on data sets on elections or conflicts. Advanced Security Studies optional dives into critical theories, examining terrorism and intelligence via debates and case studies from the Middle East to Ukraine .
Summer culminates in the Dissertation, your 15,000-20,000 word independent project on a passion like feminist security or EU fragmentation, supported by supervisors for publishable research.
Focus areas: Research methods, security studies, global politics, data analysis .
Learning outcomes: Research design, quantitative/qualitative expertise, critical policy analysis
At Aberystwyth University’s MA International Politics (Research Training), you’ll gain hands-on research expertise through intensive workshops on data collection, statistical analysis, and ethical fieldwork, working closely with world-leading IR scholars in small seminar groups. Access to the department’s research seminars, masters workshops, and the Office of Postgraduate Studies’ training programme equips you with professional tools like presentation skills and thesis development, all in a supportive environment designed for PhD-bound or policy researchers . This practical research immersion delivers real edge: highlights include.
• Research training workshops: Hands-on sessions in PGM0210 Principles of Research Design, PGM0330 Data Analysis and Collection, and IPM2120 Political Research for methods, ethics, and application .
• Seminar-based learning: Weekly two-hour interactive groups with staff office hours, research group participation, and dissertation prep sessions .
• Doctoral Workshop: Training for timely thesis completion, academic/non-academic careers, and skills like vivas and teaching support .
• Departmental facilities: Research seminar attendance, masters workshops, and postgraduate skills programme—no specific software, group projects, internships, field trips, or labs noted .
Graduates from Aberystwyth University’s MA International Politics (Research Training) emerge as elite researchers ready to influence policy, NGOs, and academia, with advanced skills in data analysis and strategic thinking honed by the world’s first IR department. You’ll land roles like policy researcher, intelligence analyst, civil service advisor, or think tank specialist: this program launches you into high-impact global careers .
• Aberystwyth Careers Service provides tailored CV support, interview coaching, networking with diplomats/NGOs, and graduate schemes for research/policy roles .
• 95%+ postgrads in work/study within 6 months; research/policy jobs start at £30k-£42k, with rapid advancement to senior analyst positions .
• Departmental seminars connect to diplomatic service, civil service, NGOs, and international organisations for practitioner insights .
• No formal accreditation; Aberystwyth’s #1 UK IR research ranking (REF) delivers lifelong prestige for expert roles .
• Alumni excel in development sector, civil service, Diplomatic Service, NGOs, journalism, military, and academia .
UK Req: Applicants must normally hold a **UK **2:1 Bachelor’s degree (Honours) or equivalent qualification. This is the standard entry level for this postgraduate programme. IELTS 7.0 & TOEFL iBT ~100 with minimum component scores: Reading 24, Listening 22, Speaking 25, Writing 24.India: The average grades depend on the course chosen, with the minimum for some courses being 50-55% or GCPA 6.0 in a relevant Bachelors degree from a recognised institution.USA: For UK 2i Honours standard - Bachelor's GPA 3.10.China: (4-year Bachelor's degree) Prestigious Universities: final average 72.0% National Universities: final average 82.0%Development SectorCivil ServiceAcademiaLocal and National PoliticsDiplomatic ServiceNGO's
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