International Relations MA

UCAS code

Location

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Want to understand major issues affecting the world today? Our MA in International Relations will help you get to grips with what’s unfolding in real time.

Today more so than ever, politicians and publics alike understand that local and national politics are downstream from international factors.

Whether a global economic shock, a decision made by a supranational body, or a rapidly expanding new technology, international relations are at the root of so many of the challenges and opportunities faced by people, companies and governments in the modern world.

Almost by definition, these are large and incredibly diverse topics, dizzying in their complexity.

Our MA in International Relations will help you to study, understand, and even predict current and forthcoming global trends.

Today more so than ever, politicians and publics alike understand that local and national politics are downstream from international factors.

Whether a global economic shock, a decision made by a supranational body, or a rapidly expanding new technology, international relations are at the root of so many of the challenges and opportunities faced by people, companies and governments in the modern world.

Almost by definition, these are large and incredibly diverse topics, dizzying in their complexity.

Our MA in International Relations will help you to study, understand, and even predict current and forthcoming global trends.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MA International Relations. If you complete a pathway route, your award title will reflect this. 

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MA International Relations

Part-time study

If you wish to study this course part-time, its duration is two years. You will be expected to complete modules totalling 180 credits.

Distance learning

While there is no expectation for you to attend our campuses, you are more than welcome to take advantage of our facilities, including our libraries, sports equipment and Students’ Union.

We have extensive experience in helping distance learning students, so you can access the same level of student support via our online learning platforms.

Part-time study

If you wish to study this course part-time, its duration is two years. You will be expected to complete modules totalling 180 credits.

Distance learning

While there is no expectation for you to attend our campuses, you are more than welcome to take advantage of our facilities, including our libraries, sports equipment and Students’ Union.

We have extensive experience in helping distance learning students, so you can access the same level of student support via our online learning platforms.

Course content

Taught by active researchers in International Relations and related fields, our MA International Relations will give you an expert level knowledge in all areas of the discipline, including inter-state relationships, supranationalism, diplomacy, trade, competition and conflict.

Modules place an emphasis on the latest developments in international affairs and in the academic discipline of international relations. Core introductory modules enable you to examine foundational theories and concepts, introduced alongside real-world details and essential context to build your knowledge as well as your understanding. You will come to appreciate both the autonomy of states and the tight restrictions placed on their sovereignty; the importance of both supranational institutions and commonly accepted informal norms; regional dynamics as well as global trends. As you become increasingly confident using theory, staff will encourage you to find research projects which interest you, and which allow you to apply your disciplinary expertise in a supported and rigorous way. Your final dissertation will be supervised and guided closely by staff but is a student-centred piece of independent work, wholly unique to you.

The course is taught and assessed entirely online and asynchronously, giving you the freedom to study anytime, anywhere. Course tutors will provide you with weekly tasks and activities, as well as bespoke learning resources, all designed with your final assessments and ultimate success in mind. The International Studies and History team at the University of Staffordshire is practised in delivering via distance learning, and will be present and approachable for you throughout your MA; you will be offered regular guidance and feedback. You will also join an international and professional cohort of fellow students who will offer peer-to-peer support and camaraderie.

You will have the choice of studying the core MA International Relations, or to specialise in a branch of International Relations by selecting one of our three pathways:

  • Russian Studies
  • Contemporary China
  • Intelligence

Each pathway comes with a specialist module, and students on a pathway will write their final dissertation project on a subject related to their preferred pathway. Your final MA award will reflect your pathway expertise.

Taught by active researchers in International Relations and related fields, our MA International Relations will give you an expert level knowledge in all areas of the discipline, including inter-state relationships, supranationalism, diplomacy, trade, competition and conflict.

Modules place an emphasis on the latest developments in international affairs and in the academic discipline of international relations. Core introductory modules enable you to examine foundational theories and concepts, introduced alongside real-world details and essential context to build your knowledge as well as your understanding. You will come to appreciate both the autonomy of states and the tight restrictions placed on their sovereignty; the importance of both supranational institutions and commonly accepted informal norms; regional dynamics as well as global trends. As you become increasingly confident using theory, staff will encourage you to find research projects which interest you, and which allow you to apply your disciplinary expertise in a supported and rigorous way. Your final dissertation will be supervised and guided closely by staff but is a student-centred piece of independent work, wholly unique to you.

The course is taught and assessed entirely online and asynchronously, giving you the freedom to study anytime, anywhere. Course tutors will provide you with weekly tasks and activities, as well as bespoke learning resources, all designed with your final assessments and ultimate success in mind. The International Studies and History team at the University of Staffordshire is practised in delivering via distance learning, and will be present and approachable for you throughout your MA; you will be offered regular guidance and feedback. You will also join an international and professional cohort of fellow students who will offer peer-to-peer support and camaraderie.

You will have the choice of studying the core MA International Relations, or to specialise in a branch of International Relations by selecting one of our three pathways:

  • Russian Studies
  • Contemporary China
  • Intelligence

Each pathway comes with a specialist module, and students on a pathway will write their final dissertation project on a subject related to their preferred pathway. Your final MA award will reflect your pathway expertise.

Academic year

VIDEO: REF results interview – Professor Kevin Hetherington

REF results interview – Professor Kevin Hetherington

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Diplomacy, Law And Governance 40 credits
Dissertation In International Studies 60 credits
International Relations Theory 40 credits
The Changing Global Order 40 credits
Year 1 compulsory modules
Dissertation In International Studies 60 credits
Intelligence In Policy And Practice 40 credits
International Relations Theory 40 credits
The Changing Global Order 40 credits
Year 1 compulsory modules
Dissertation In International Studies 60 credits
International Relations Theory 40 credits
Russia And Russian Security 40 credits
The Changing Global Order 40 credits
Year 1 compulsory modules
China In Global Context 40 credits
Dissertation In International Studies 60 credits
International Relations Theory 40 credits
The Changing Global Order 40 credits

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Year 1 compulsory modules
International Relations Theory 40 credits
The Changing Global Order 40 credits
Year 2 compulsory modules
Diplomacy, Law And Governance 40 credits
Dissertation In International Studies 60 credits
Year 1 compulsory modules
International Relations Theory 40 credits
The Changing Global Order 40 credits
Year 2 compulsory modules
Dissertation In International Studies 60 credits
Intelligence In Policy And Practice 40 credits
Year 1 compulsory modules
International Relations Theory 40 credits
The Changing Global Order 40 credits
Year 2 compulsory modules
Dissertation In International Studies 60 credits
Russia And Russian Security 40 credits
Year 1 compulsory modules
International Relations Theory 40 credits
The Changing Global Order 40 credits
Year 2 compulsory modules
China In Global Context 40 credits
Dissertation In International Studies 60 credits

Entry requirements

A 2:2 honours degree or above, or relevant professional experience.

Language level must be at least IELTS 6-6.5 or equivalent. However, you’ll be considered if you have a level of fluency to meet the needs of the course.

A 2:2 honours degree or above, or relevant professional experience.

Language level must be at least IELTS 6-6.5 or equivalent. However, you’ll be considered if you have a level of fluency to meet the needs of the course.

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Check our entry and English language requirements for your country.

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Facilities

Support for distance learners

Studying remotely doesn't mean that you will be left to study alone. Which is why we ensure that however you study with us, you'll still be able to access the same services as our on-campus students. Read more

However you study with us, or wherever in the world you’re based, you’ll still be able to access the same services as our on-campus students, including IT and study support, online library, careers and wellbeing service. We’ll help to connect with other online learners to help you get the most out of your learning experience and feel a part of the community. Find out more: Support for distance learners

Off-campus library services

Distance learners benefit from a range of services including access to e-books, postal loans of physical books, online support from subject librarians and more. Read more

Library services and learning resources

We offer an extensive range of library services to our off-campus students and help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Our comprehensive online catalogue of eResources are available for you to search for and access material such as eBooks, journals and databases. Our team of librarians can help you find your way around the electronic resources and library catalogues, or if there’s something specific you need, they can help you to source it.

Our LibGuides provide information and advice on using our online resources, with specific pages for each subject area, and can help you search for quality-assured websites. 

Find out more: Library Resources

Blackboard (VLE)

Blackboard is a virtual learning environment which houses your learning content. It enables online teaching/learning, provides spaces to build online communities and knowledge sharing.

Careers

After completing the MA International Relations, you’ll be equipped with the critical and reflective skills, as well as a range of other transferable skills, that are attractive to employers. These can be adapted to a range of professions including, but not limited to:

  • Education
  • National, Foreign or Defence Ministries
  • Armed Forces
  • Security Services
  • International or Regional Organisations

Alternatively, if you wish to develop your dissertation further, you will be ideally placed for further academic study at PhD level.

All students have access to Career Connect, our dedicated careers team.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

As a distance learning student you will be expected to study independently, but the content of the modules will be provided in a structured manner to support you through the material and to prepare you for your assessments. Support will be available when you need it and you can contact your tutor by phone, email or in person.

Our teaching is delivered through our Virtual Learning Environments. This means you can access a range of materials to support your studies wherever you are and whenever works for your. This includes notes, recorded presentations, activities and discussion forums, where you can debate subjects with your tutors and fellow students.

As a distance learning student you will be expected to study independently, but the content of the modules will be provided in a structured manner to support you through the material and to prepare you for your assessments. Support will be available when you need it and you can contact your tutor by phone, email or in person.

Our teaching is delivered through our Virtual Learning Environments. This means you can access a range of materials to support your studies wherever you are and whenever works for your. This includes notes, recorded presentations, activities and discussion forums, where you can debate subjects with your tutors and fellow students.

Assessment

During your course you will undertake two different types of assessments, informal assessments (also known as formative) and formal (also known as summative). Your formative assessments are designed to enhance your engagement with the taught content of your modules and to prepare you for your summative assessments. They also provide you with the opportunity to receive feedback on your progress.

Your summative assessments contribute towards your final grade and degree classification and will assess you based on the learning outcomes of your modules. Your summative assessments could include a combination of written assignments, contributions to discussion boards, critical reviews, digital poster presentations and dissertations.

During your course you will undertake two different types of assessments, informal assessments (also known as formative) and formal (also known as summative). Your formative assessments are designed to enhance your engagement with the taught content of your modules and to prepare you for your summative assessments. They also provide you with the opportunity to receive feedback on your progress.

Your summative assessments contribute towards your final grade and degree classification and will assess you based on the learning outcomes of your modules. Your summative assessments could include a combination of written assignments, contributions to discussion boards, critical reviews, digital poster presentations and dissertations.

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide you with plenty of support during your studies. However, you can also access assistance from our Academic Skills team, who can help you online with:

  • Study skills (including reading, note-taking, presentation skills, etc.)
  • Written English (including structure, punctuation, grammar, etc.)
  • Academic writing (including referencing skills)
  • Research skills
  • Critical thinking
  • Revision and assessment skills (including time management)

 

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Feedback

We know that feedback is very important for you to be able to gauge your progress and to enable you to achieve your potential. To ensure that you can benefit from regular feedback, your tutors will provide a combination of written and verbal feedback, on both an individual and general assessment level.

As a team we are commended for our feedback. In his report for 2025 our external examiner noted the particular focus in our feedback on the quality of argumentation and the accuracy of knowledge as it pertained to each specific student’s work.

We usually give you feedback on your formative assessments within 20 working days, but the format for the feedback will vary for each module.

We know that feedback is very important for you to be able to gauge your progress and to enable you to achieve your potential. To ensure that you can benefit from regular feedback, your tutors will provide a combination of written and verbal feedback, on both an individual and general assessment level.

As a team we are commended for our feedback. In his report for 2025 our external examiner noted the particular focus in our feedback on the quality of argumentation and the accuracy of knowledge as it pertained to each specific student’s work.

We usually give you feedback on your formative assessments within 20 working days, but the format for the feedback will vary for each module.

For each of your taught modules, you will have specific sessions delivered through our online learning platforms. These engaging and interactive sessions will enable you to benefit from the expertise of our teaching staff and will signpost you to supplementary resources to support the content of the module. These sessions will also be recorded, so you can access the learning material at any time, giving you the freedom to study anywhere and anytime.

In addition to the module content, you will also be able to arrange online meetings with your tutors and dissertation supervisor, to review your progress on the course, to clarify module content, to provide support for assessments and to receive feedback on your work.

For each of your taught modules, you will have specific sessions delivered through our online learning platforms. These engaging and interactive sessions will enable you to benefit from the expertise of our teaching staff and will signpost you to supplementary resources to support the content of the module. These sessions will also be recorded, so you can access the learning material at any time, giving you the freedom to study anywhere and anytime.

In addition to the module content, you will also be able to arrange online meetings with your tutors and dissertation supervisor, to review your progress on the course, to clarify module content, to provide support for assessments and to receive feedback on your work.

Independent learning

In addition to your online sessions, you will be provided with a wealth of additional resources to enable you to experience a rich variety of perspectives and insights to share and discuss with your tutors and fellow students. You will be required to engage with the literature, videos, podcasts, activities and additional resources that will be provided on the virtual learning platform, and use this information to help you complete your formal and informal assessments.

In addition to your online sessions, you will be provided with a wealth of additional resources to enable you to experience a rich variety of perspectives and insights to share and discuss with your tutors and fellow students. You will be required to engage with the literature, videos, podcasts, activities and additional resources that will be provided on the virtual learning platform, and use this information to help you complete your formal and informal assessments.

Staff

We are a research-active department with internationally recognised expertise. This provides our students not only with world-class subject experts, but with considerable levels of research-informed teaching and pedagogical experience as well.

The curriculum design of this MA is structured around core modules which have been developed to reflect the key requirements of the subject discipline of International Relations as well as the research expertise of each staff member contributing to the delivery of the course.You will also have the opportunity to undertake your dissertation under the supervision of our expert staff, which provides you an excellent chance to tailor your degree to your area of interest.

Dr Fiona Robertson-Snape

Senior Lecturer

Fiona's expertise is in international relations theory and international ethics. Her research interests cover international society, human rights and international criminal justice.

Fiona's profile

Dr Tony Craig

Associate Professor

Dr Tony Craig is Associate Professor in Modern History. His research primarily focuses on the contemporary security history of Britain and Ireland.

Tony's profile

Alun Thomas

Associate Professor

Dr Alun Thomas is Associate Professor of Eurasian Studies, specialising in the modern history and contemporary politics of Russia and Central Asia. His research interests include border-making, state-building, and economic change.

Alun's profile

Dr Anthony Mckeown

Lecturer

Anthony teaches International Relations in the Modern Era; Global Policy Analysis and Money, Trade and Development.

Anthony's profile

Dr Sarah Irving

Lecturer

Dr Sarah Irving is a Lecturer in modern Middle Eastern history, specialising in the social and cultural history of Late Ottoman and Mandate Palestine and the broader Levant region.

Sarah's profile

Fees

For the course starting on 22 September 2025 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £9,165 per course £9,165 per course

For the course starting on 22 September 2025 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Part-time £9,135 per course £9,135 per course

If you would like to know more about the fees listed and what this means to you then please get in touch with our Enquiries Team.

Alumni discount

If you've previously completed a University of Staffordshire undergraduate degree (excluding HND and foundation degrees) you may be entitled to a discount of up to 25% off your course fees for any subsequent postgraduate taught course (terms apply, see the alumni discount page for details). If you have any questions about how this relates to you, please contact feesandbursaries@staffs.ac.uk.

Included in the fees:
Not included in the fees:
  • Text books are available from the library and online resources, but some students choose to purchase their own copies.
  • Printing
  • Travel costs
  • Any optional field trips
  • Text books are available from the library and online resources, but some students choose to purchase their own copies.
  • Printing
  • Travel costs
  • Any optional field trips
Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

Providing you are studying towards a full Masters qualification you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £11,570 to help with tuition fees, maintenance and other associated costs. Student loans are available for many of our postgraduate degrees and are provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC). The loan can cover a wide range of postgraduate study options; part-time, full-time and distance learning. 

For more information and how to apply visit masters loan.

Apply

Location Award Study option Start date
Stoke-on-Trent campus MA Full-time, distance learning 22 September 2025 Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations. 

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for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021