International Security
MA or PGDip or PGCert
Key facts
Start dates
September 2020 / September 2021
Location
Course length
Full time: MA: 12 months; PGDip: 9 months; PGCert: 9 months
Part time: MA: 24 months; PGDip: 18 months; PGCert: 18 months
Department
Overview
Specialise in an important aspect of world politics with our MA in International Security.
During the course, you will cover both:
- the traditional focus on the security of states and
- more contemporary debates centred on ‘human security’ in a variety of contexts.
You will be encouraged to think beyond ‘bullets and bombs’. And to consider a range of practices that contribute to our understandings of security and insecurity.
As a postgraduate programme, the integration between research and teaching is a crucial part of the quality of the experience. So the course also provides a sound grounding in relevant research methods.
You will benefit from links with International NGOs, many of which are based in Oxford. These include Oxfam and Rights and Accountability in Development (RAID).
On graduating you will be well-suited to a variety of careers in:
- government
- non-governmental organisations
- charity organisations
- civil service
- international organisations
- law
- trade unions.
How to apply
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
Students are normally required to have at least a second-class honours degree from a university in the UK or an equivalent qualification from countries outside the UK. The degree should be in an appropriate discipline.
Please also see the University's general entry requirements.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 in reading, writing, speaking and listening.
Please also see the University's standard English language requirements.
English requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements as well as the University's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.
Pathways courses for international and EU students
We offer a range of courses to help you meet the entry requirements for your postgraduate course and also familiarise you with university life in the UK.
Take a Pre-Master's course to develop your subject knowledge, study skills and academic language level in preparation for your master's course.
If you need to improve your English language, we offer pre-sessional English language courses to help you meet the English language requirements of your chosen master’s course.
Terms and Conditions of Enrolment
When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
Application process
Tuition fees
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
Tuition fees
Fees quoted are for the first year only. If you are studying a course that lasts longer than one year your fees will increase each year.
Financial support and scholarships
There are International Student Scholarships available for 2020 and other scholarships and funding options for postgraduate international students.
Additional costs
Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course, if any, are detailed below.
Learning and assessment
Students studying for the MA/PG Dip in International Security are required to complete:
- two compulsory modules during Semester 1
- three elective modules in Semester 2.
MA students are required to complete a 12,000-word dissertation on a topic related to any aspect of international relations. The dissertation also involves a presentation at the Annual Postgraduate Day which is held every summer.
Students taking the Postgraduate Certificate are required to complete 'International Relations in Theory and Practice', 'Global Political Economy' and one optional module from the list below.
Study modules
The modules listed below are for the master's award. For the PGDip and PGCert awards your module choices may be different. Please contact us for more details.
Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from that shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.
Learning and teaching
Research is fundamental to the International Relations programme. You will be taught by a team of research-active scholars who are all specialists and publish in their areas of expertise. We include aspects of our research in all our courses, teach optional modules in our areas of expertise and supervise dissertations in our specialist subjects
Our teaching methods include:
- lectures
- tutor/group-led seminars
- case study analysis
- group work presentations
- individual presentations
- individual and small group tutorials.
Field trips
This course includes a four-day study trip to Brussels and The Hague, just before the start of Semester 2 (in late January).
You'll start your trip with visits to key institutions of the European Union. You will then move on to The Hague and visit a range of international organisations, such as the International Criminal Court and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, which was awarded the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize. The trip gives you first-hand experience of how these important international institutions work.
The cost of travel and accommodation for the trip is included in your course fees.
Assessment
Assessment methods used on this course
Assessment is conducted through a variety of assignments linked to the expected learning outcomes. You will be assessed with the following methods:
- essays
- presentations
- projects
- reports
- written dissertation.
You will receive constant feedback over the course of the year.
Research
Our vibrant research culture is driven by a thriving and collaborative community of academic staff and doctoral students. from across the globe.
83% of International Relations and Politics research was recognised internationally, and rated as either excellent or world leading in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework.
Our research is organised within the Centre for Global Politics, Economy and Society.
Within the Centre we run four dedicated research groups:
- Critical Security Studies
- International Political Theory
- Cultures and Identities
- State and Society.
As well as meeting to discuss and analyse central texts in the field each group undertakes a number of activities including:
- organising work-in-progress seminars
- offering support and feedback for external grant applications
- hosting visiting fellows
- sponsoring seminars and symposia.
Find out more by visiting our web pages and browsing our staff profiles.
After you graduate
Career prospects
The programme will appeal to students who have a broad interest in international affairs, and to those whose future work is likely to involve the public sphere in an international and global context. It is relevant to careers in media and general management, as well as in the civil service, intergovernmental organisations and non-governmental organisations. It will also appeal to those wanting to progress to a research degree.
“The range of topics is impressive and seems to cover the key problems that confront governments, politicians and international policy-makers: the environment, global governance, the role of global civil society, migration, international finance and terrorism”
Tricia Feeney (Executive Director, Rights & Accountability in Development).
Our Staff
Dr Michael Lister
Read more about MichaelDr Tina Managhan
Tina Managhan is a Senior Lecturer in International Relations. She completed her PhD at York University in Toronto, Canada. She has research interests in critical security studies, international relations theory and feminist and postcolonial theory.
Read more about TinaProgramme Changes: On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published on the website.
For more information, please visit our Changes to programmes page.