International Relations MA

For HM Forces

Location

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Our MA International Relations degree is designed specifically for MOD personnel.

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. 

Part-time study

If you wish to study this course part-time, the duration of the course is two years.

The expected study pattern is to complete modules totalling 180 credits over the two years of study.

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.

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 where available.

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.

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.

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.

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support you will receive from your course teaching team, our central Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one help to support your learning in a number of areas. These include:

  • study skills such as reading, note-taking and presentation skills
  • written English, including punctuation and grammatical accuracy
  • academic writing and how to reference
  • research skills
  • critical thinking and understanding arguments
  • revision, assessment and examination skills
  • time management

Additional support

Our Student Inclusion Services support students with additional needs such as sensory impairment, or learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Apply

Location Award Study option Start date
Stoke-on-Trent campus MA Part-time, distance learning 22 September 2025 Apply now
Stoke-on-Trent campus MA Part-time, distance learning 26 January 2026 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.

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