(MSc) Master of Science
International Relations
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Government
Colchester Campus
Masters
Full-time
None
MSC L250EK
07/05/2025
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
A 2.2 degree or international equivalent in one of the following subjects:
- American Studies
- Economics
- Finance
- International Relations
- International Studies
- Political Science
- Political Studies
- Statistics
- United States Politics
OR
A 2.2 degree in any subject which includes study in two relevant modules. Relevant modules include, but are not limited to:
- Comparative Political Systems
- Constitutional Democracy
- Contemporary World Affairs
- Current Affairs
- Democratic Theory
- Econometrics
- European Integration/ Dynamics of Integration
- Foreign Policy/ Comparative Foreign Policy
- Game Theory
- Governmental Processes/ Systems
- Human Rights
- Ideology and Political Analysis
- International Economic Law
- International Economic Relations
- International Trade/Business Law
- International Law
- International Public Relations
- International Security
- International Trade/Business Law
- Law of Armed Conflict
- Micro/Macro Economics
- Peace Studies
- Philosophy (MA Political Theory only)
- Political Conflict
- Political Decision Making
- Political Economy
- Political Sociology
- Political Studies
- Public Administration
- Public International Law
- Public Policy Analysis
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Security Studies
- Strategic Studies
- Terrorism
- Theories of Development
The following may also be considered:
- Applicants with a degree in an unrelated subject and have at least 5 years of work experience, such as working with a NGO, UN, or government. Please provide your CV.
- Applicants with a lower class degree where relevant modules have been studied with marks of 2:2 or above.
- Applicants who have achieved a first class degree in any subject.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
If English is not your first language, we require IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum
score of 5.5 in all components.
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English
pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Additional Notes
The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to
successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask
for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
Dr Kyriaki Nanou
Associate Professor in European politics
Durham University
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
- To ensure that students have a thorough grounding in International Relations and its main schools of thought.
- To introduce students to the most advanced debates in the discipline of International Relations.
- To teach students the importance of testing hypotheses derived from International Relations theory empirically.
- To introduce students to a range of issues currently important in international politics, to familiarise them with the academic arguments about these issues and to make them aware of policy choices and their implications.
- To develop a capacity for independent study and research in the area of international relations.
The difference between the MA and MSc variants is determined by the methods module you take – GV914 only for the MA and GV914 and GV900 for the MSc.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Advanced knowledge of different modes of explanation and theoretical perspectives in international relations or related fields at an appropriate level.
A2: Understanding the main political science methods for using quantitative and qualitative evidence to support arguments
A3: Critical awareness of the use of concepts and arguments in political science
A4: Knowledge of the main research findings, and main developments and debates in one or more sub-fields of international relations or related fields
Learning methods
A1-5 Lectures, participation in and presentations to seminars and classes, writing essays and dissertation, oral and written feedback on essays.
A1 specifically in GV902 Theories of International Relations and the optional modules.
A2 specifically in GV914, GV903 Advanced Research Methods, GV902 Theories of International Relations, and option.
A3 specifically in GV902, GV914 and in supervision of individual dissertations.
A4 specifically in GV902 and options chosen in consultation with Scheme Director.
Assessment methods
Taught modules assessed 50/50 by continuous assessment through written assignments and essays, and three-hour closed examinations at end of the modules.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: To question received thinking.
B2: To develop independent thinking
B3: To muster evidence
B4: To evaluate and analyse evidence
B5: To reason critically.
B6: To argue coherently and concisely
B7: To communicate ideas effectively in writing
B8: To carry out independent research
Learning methods
B1-7 participation in and presentations to seminars and classes, individual guidance on researching and writing essays, oral and written feedback on essays, individual interviews and group sessions with Study Skills Officer
B4 especially in GV900 Political Explanation.
B8 especially in supervised dissertation.
Assessment methods
B1-7 written assignments and essays, written examinations
B8 the dissertation.
C: Practical skills
C1: Organise and structure an extended argument
C2: Use concepts correctly
C3: Compile systematic bibliographies.
C4: Provide references according to accepted conventions.
C5: Use libraries and IT to access information and scholarly resources
C6: Sift and synthesise complex information
Learning methods
C1-6 participation in and presentations to seminars and classes, individual guidance for essays, individual supervision of dissertations, oral and written feedback on class presentations and essays.
C5 specifically in induction sessions for library use.
Assessment methods
C1-6 written assignments and essays, closed examinations, supervised dissertation.
D: Key skills
D1: Clear, focused, relevant and effective expression and communication.
D2: Access and organise information from a variety of electronic sources
D3: Understand the use of quantitative evidence
D4: To manage projects and timetables. To find, understand and organise information. To work with ideas.
D5: Advanced knowledge of different modes of explanation and theoretical perspectives in political economy or related fields at an appropriate level.
D6: Positive response to feedback and criticism.
Learning methods
D1-5 participation in and presentations to seminars and classes, written assignments and essays, dissertation.
D3 specifically in GV914, GV902 Theories of International Relations, GV900 Advanced Research Methods and the option.
D4 specifically in scheduling and balancing requirements for four courses taught in parallel.
D6 specifically in individual guidance on essays, oral and written feedback on essays.
Assessment methods
D1-4 written assignments and essays, examinations, dissertation.
D6 classroom presentations, written assignments and essays.