MA International Relations

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of Portsmouth

Program Overview

University of Portsmouth’s MA International Relations dives deep into today’s global hotspots—from terrorism and cyber threats to human rights and climate diplomacy—perfect for career-focused grads ready to shape policy or lead in NGOs. You’ll master critical analysis of world events, crafting arguments that challenge the status quo while building skills for high-stakes roles in security or governance .

Curriculum Structure

Your first term kicks off with core modules like Exploring International Relations, where you’ll dissect theories of power, conflict, and cooperation through debates on state vs non-state actors and real crises from Ukraine to the Middle East. Paired with Researching International Relations, you’ll gain hands-on tools for data analysis, ethics, and methodology via workshops that prep your independent research .

Term two lets you specialise with options such as Contemporary Security in International Relations, probing terrorism, WMDs, and cyberwarfare through case studies and policy simulations. Comparative Public Policy compares governance across nations, honing your ability to evaluate strategies on inequality and stability .

Summer focuses on your Dissertation, a 15,000-word project on a topic like global fragility or social movements, supported by supervisors for professional-grade outputs .

Focus areas: Security threats, global governance, policy analysis, research methods .

Learning outcomes: Advanced analytics, policy briefing, critical debate, research design .

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At University of Portsmouth’s MA International Relations, you’ll hone practical skills through intensive debates, policy simulations, and guest lectures from global experts on live issues like the Ukraine conflict, all supported by the university’s modern seminar rooms, digital learning platforms, and the Centre for European and International Studies Research (CEISR). These sessions sharpen your ability to craft policy briefs, analyse data, and present arguments like a pro diplomat, with access to specialist libraries and online resources for real-time research . This dynamic setup bridges theory and practice: standout features include.

• Debates and simulations: Interactive policy scenarios and key debates in modules like Exploring International Relations and Contemporary Security .

• Guest lectures: Expert insights on current events, security, and global ramifications from CEISR academics and practitioners .

• Academic Skills Tutors (AST): 1-to-1 sessions for research methods, presentation skills, critical thinking, and avoiding plagiarism .

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from University of Portsmouth’s MA International Relations secure pivotal roles advancing global agendas, from security analysis and policy advising to NGO leadership and diplomatic services, leveraging sharp critical thinking on world affairs. You’ll thrive as a security analyst, policy advisor, political lobbyist, or think tank researcher: this program catapults you into impactful careers .

• Portsmouth Careers and Employability Service offers personalised CV building, mock interviews, 5-year post-grad support, internships, and networking with parliaments/NGOs .

• 95%+ postgrads in work/study within 6 months; IR roles average £32k-£48k starting, with fast senior progression .

• Links via CEISR to Armed Forces, Foreign Office, MoD, DSTL for practitioner insights and placements .

Further Academic Progression: Step up to a Portsmouth PhD in International Relations, transforming your dissertation into funded research on security or governance for academia or elite advisory positions.

Country Requirements

USA: you should have a Bachelor's degree with a GPA of 2.6 /4 or above from a recognised Higher Education institution.
China: For entry to our postgraduate Master's programmes, you'll usually need to have one of the following from a recognised Higher Education institution: a Bachelor's degree (normally from a four year undergraduate programme) a Bachelor's degree from Higher Education Self-Study Examinations (full time) a top-up degree or university-recognised Pre-Master’s Foundation programme Typical minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) requirements: From 2.8 on a scale of 1–4 From 7 on a scale of 1–10
India: For entry to our Master's programmes, you will generally need to have a Bachelor's degree with at least 2nd Class Honours to be considered. You may be admitted to Master's programmes with a lower level degree if you have work experience relevant to the degree applied for.