Overview
If you are interested in pursuing an international career in government, public administration, diplomacy, policy formation or research, this master’s degree aims to help you understand and interpret issues and challenges facing our increasingly interconnected world.
Covering themes as varied as globalisation, international law, international trade, diplomacy, war and peace, it builds on the strength and expertise that the School of Humanities has in the field of international politics and security. We adopt a multidisciplinary approach, drawing on theories and practice from political science, history, sociology, economics and cultural studies, among others.
Why Coventry University?
An award-winning university, we are committed to providing our students with the best possible experience. We continue to invest in both our facilities and our innovative approach to education. Our students benefit from industry-relevant teaching, and resources and support designed to help them succeed. These range from our modern library and computing facilities to dedicated careers advice and our impressive Students’ Union activities.
Global ready
An international outlook, with global opportunitiesEmployability
Career-ready graduates, with the skills to succeedStudent experience
All the support you need, in a top student cityCourse information
This fascinating course explores the emerging discipline of international relations, from a theoretical and historical perspective and in the context of issues and events in contemporary politics and society.
You will study three mandatory subject-specific modules covering international relations, diplomacy and human trafficking.
Using case studies and actual events, you can explore the actions of government and non-governmental agencies, private enterprise and international bodies in relation to key challenges, such as terrorism, security, poverty and human trafficking. You’ll have opportunities to gain an insight into the perspective and motivations of policy and decision makers, as well as the impact on individuals, communities or countries they affect. As well as the core modules, you are able to tailor your studies by choosing two optional modules around three themes. The Diplomacy specialism addresses some of the specific skills needed for employment in your national diplomatic service or international governmental and non-governmental organisations. While a focus on international law potentially opens career opportunities in criminal justice, aid and development, environmental protection and human rights. If choosing the African Governance and Security specialism, you have the chance to develop an understanding of one of the world’s fastest growing regions with potential career opportunities in the domestic and international public and private sectors.
To attain the award of Master of Arts, you will be required to complete an extended dissertation examining in depth an area of the course that particularly interests you, possibly aligned with your chosen specialism, and based on research undertaken with the support of a dedicated supervisor. In the last year, students have researched Europe’s refugee crisis; celebrity diplomacy; the implications of drone technology for diplomacy; the relationship between Iran and Saudi Arabia; cyber diplomacy; and piracy off the coast of Nigeria.
The relevance of course content is reinforced by staff involvement in professional organisations, such as the British International Studies Association (BISA), the Political Studies Association (PSA), the University Association for Contemporary European Studies, the African Studies Association of the UK (ASAUK) and the European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR).
The School of Humanities and Coventry Law School has an outstanding network of professional contacts, which spans diplomats and diplomacy specialists in a range of prestigious external organisations, both private and public, such as Chatham House, the Centre for the Study of Slavery, the Royal African Society and the Institute of Cultural Diplomacy. These links are reflected in talks and events delivered by experts in the field, such as an assistant district attorney from Sicily, assistant chief constable of South Yorkshire Police, deputy high commissioner of Tanzania to the UK; a senior manager from the UK’s National Crime Agency and a forensic accountant from the Italian national police.
Course Specification
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Modules
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
In more detail...
Our highly-experienced faculty includes active researchers who also work or consult for governments, international organisations and prominent think tanks. In the most recent national research assessment, the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF), 69% of research in Politics and International Studies was recognised internationally, of which 32% was considered ‘internationally excellent’.
Research-informed teaching will be delivered by our many experts on peacekeeping, foreign policy, criminal mafias, security and policing, which includes a current Director of the Royal Institute of International Affairs.
There is also a practical focus to learning – allowing students to personally experience applied international relations, for example, by participating in the Model United Nations in New York, with the aim of exposing you to the realities of formulating foreign and security policies, then translating ideas into practice.
The course is structured to enable you to choose one of three prominent specialisms within the field of international relations: diplomacy; international law; or African governance and security. It also includes the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) accredited module, Global Professional Development. Students who successfully complete the CMI module will also gain a Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Leadership and Management and a Level 7 Award in Professional Consulting.
- 86% of graduates were employed or continuing their studies six months after completing the course (DLHE 2014/15).
- High levels of student satisfaction in the subject of ‘Politics’, 86% overall compared with the sector average of 84% (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2016).
- Programme of expert speakers, which in 2019 included the Head of the NHS Counter-Fraud Authority, the Ambassador of Cyprus, as well as EU, NATO and UN officials.
- Opportunities to participate in field trips in the UK and abroad, which in 2019 included: the EU and NATO headquarters in Brussels; the International Criminal Court in The Hague; diplomatic missions and government agnecies in The Gambia; law enforcement officials in Sicily; Lambeth Palace, the International Maritime Organisation and Chatham House in London and the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool. Additional costs may apply for international trips.
Strong professional links with distinguished scholars at universities around the world, as well as relationships with IR practitioners in government, non-governmental organisations, international organisations and prominent think-tanks.
Your main study themes are:
- The theory and practice of international relations: Explores the relevance of international relations theory to real world events and the importance of empirical evidence. Each text or school of thought studied will be tested by a case study, such as, for example, the relevance of Allison’s bureaucratic model of decision making in explaining the Cuban missile crisis, or Morgenthau’s Politics Amongst Nations to the Cold War.
- Diplomacy: Introduces the role of diplomacy, as both process and institutional mechanism, its historical development, changing role and modes of operation. Specific case studies, including the topics of trade, security and the environment, examine in detail the way in which the diplomatic system operates in the contemporary world.
- Academic skills and techniques: This course aims to provide initial training in the higher cognitive skills of critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis and the related scholarly techniques of critical reading, reflection and writing. These transferable skills are prized by employers and are reinforced throughout the course.
The course has been devised primarily as a one-year full-time programme. It may also be taken over two years on a part-time basis with the part-time students participating in the same classes as the full-time students. For part-time students, the taught modules will be split evenly between the two years.
Modules on the course employ a variety of delivery methods incorporating best practice and innovative teaching and learning – interactive workshops, simulations, role playing, peer marking, peer feedback and debates. You can also choose the credit-bearing module International Security Praxis, which is based on talks and workshops by visiting scholars and practitioners combined with a piece of reflective writing that will be undertaken based on a fieldtrip.
We aim to provide a series of specialist workshops, delivered by experienced practitioners including ambassadors, UN weapons inspectors and chief constables. We also organise regular field trips to institutions in the UK, such as the Houses of Parliament and Chatham House.
We also aim to offer valuable international experiences of diplomatic practice through study trips to, for example, Brussels and Strasbourg, which expose you to the realities of formulating foreign policy. You could also take part in online international learning: participating in live online debates in Italy or presenting with fellow Diplomacy students in Argentina.
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will could vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods include essays, a dissertation, reviews, reports, reflective writing, practical coursework, presentations and a management consultancy project.
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards the achieving the intended learning outcomes. Assessments may include exams, individual assignments or group work elements.
On completion, you should have knowledge of:
- The nature of the international system and its development over time.
- How international relations adapt to different political environments.
- The conduct of international relations, as practised by key institutions and actors.
- Differing approaches to, and prominent issues of debate within, the study of international relations.
- How the boundaries of the subject matter are advanced through research by being at the forefront of the discipline.
- The principles of consultancy and the theories and practices found in leadership.
On completion, you should be able to:
- Locate and critically review a range of information sources, to gather and marshal relevant evidence successfully.
- Apply knowledge of the dynamics of international relations in a wide range of situations and organisations.
- Show awareness of, and sensitivity to, differing international environments and the impact these have on political, economic and social actors.
- Apply advanced research skills, identify appropriate sources and methods, take personal responsibility and demonstrate initiative in dealing with complex and unpredictable environments.
- Demonstrate advanced analytical and evaluative skills to construct fair, coherent and convincing arguments.
- Exhibit advanced problem-solving skills, tackling complex issues both independently and as part of a team, identifying appropriate solutions in a systematic, creative and constructive manner.
In a typical week you will have up to 15 ‘contact’ hours of teaching. This generally breaks down as follows:
- Large group teaching: 6 hours of plenary workshops each week.
- Small/medium group teaching: 9 hours of group workshops each week.
In addition, you will be expected to undertake a further 25 hours of self-directed study each week, eg. working on course assignments and preparing for workshops.
In addition to the international opportunities described above, the School of Humanities has a partnership with Lazarski University in Warsaw, Poland. There is the possibility of individual students exchanging with Lazarski under the Erasmus programme. Students from both institutions have also previously participated in Model European Parliaments supported by EU funding in Coventry and in Lecce, Italy.
We have also previously held Online International Learning (OIL) activities, including webinars and exchange visits, with the University of Costa Rica, the University of Buenos Aires and with the South International Cooperation organisation in Sicily. This is an opportunity to meet, work and collaborate with peers from diverse backgrounds, cultures and nationalities without leaving the UK, for example, taking part in live debates with students in Italy, presenting with peers in Mexico or developing case studies with colleagues in Russia.
Global ready
Did you know we help more students travel internationally than any other UK university according to data from the experts in higher education data and analysis, HESA?
In 2016/17, we were able to provide a total of 3,482 student experiences abroad that lasted at least five.
Much of this travel is made possible through our Global Leaders Programme, which enables students to prepare for the challenges of the global employment market, as well as strengthening and developing their broader personal and professional skills.
Explore our international experiences1st for
international experiences
Sending more students overseas than any other UK uni (HESA 2016/17)
3,482
Student experiences
The number of student trips abroad for at least 5 days in 2016/17
21,000
and counting
The number of students we’ve helped travel internationally so far
12
global programmes
As well as trips, we offer other opportunities like language courses
Entry Requirements
Tuition Fees
We pride ourselves on offering competitive tuition fees which we review on an annual basis and offer a wide range of scholarships to support students with their studies. Course fees are calculated on the basis of what it costs to teach each course and we aim for total financial transparency.
EU student fees
EU nationals and their family members starting in the 2019/20 academic year remain eligible for the same fees as home students and the same financial support. Financial support comes from Student Finance England, and covers undergraduate and postgraduate study for the duration of their course, providing they meet the residency requirement.
For tuition fee loans
EU nationals must have resided in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland for the three years prior to the start of their course. The purpose of that three year residency should not have been mainly for the purpose of receiving full time education.
For maintenance loans
EU nationals must have resided in the UK and Islands for the five years prior to the start of their course. The purpose of that five year residency should not have been mainly for the purpose of receiving full time education.
Career prospects
Employers are looking for individuals with the ability to work across different cultures, to manage teams and possess problem-solving and critical analysis skills.
As well as giving you the opportunity to achieve two additional awards, the CMI accredited Global Professional Development module will help set you apart in a competitive job market. It'll aim to provide practical leadership skills to critically evaluate and develop solutions for complex, inter-related, multi-faceted issues that you will experience in your future organisations.
The course will provide both an academically demanding experience and one which will be of practical use in your career. We encourage you to gain first-hand experience through volunteering and placement opportunities. Previously students have, undertaken internships in embassies and high commissions, such as the Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, think-tanks, including the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London, the Institute of Cultural Diplomacy in Berlin and the South-South International Cooperation organisation in Palermo, and undertaken research in universities abroad such as the Arab-American University in Jenin.
The course aims to prepare you for roles such as public administration within a Foreign Service or other government department, international civil service (such as the United Nations or European Union), international agencies and non-governmental organisations, as well as multinational corporations, the international media, teaching and research.
Where our graduates work
Our graduates have been successful in securing employment in the foreign services of a range of countries from Ethiopia to the UK, as well as working in government departments in Barbados, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the United Kingdom. Several have gone on to enter the diplomatic service in their home country; others have sought careers in international organisations, nongovernmental organisations, or international commerce and business.
Disclaimer
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the University. A copy of the 19/20 Contract can be found here. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the University will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the University.
The tuition fee for the course that is stated on the webpage and in the prospectus will apply. If the duration of the course is longer than one academic year, the University may increase the fee for each subsequent year of study but any such increases will be no more than inflation.
*2020/2021 course fees have not yet been determined by the University or government legislation. Once the course fees have been determined, the course web page will be updated to reflect your first year course fee. Please continue to revisit the course web page to identify the fee before you accept an offer of a place on the course and/or before you enrol at the University.
