MA International Security

This course will provide a theoretical and empirical understanding of international security and international relations. The International Security Masters (ISMA) will help you to develop a range of valuable transferable skills, particularly if you are seeking a professional career in international security, whether as a policy analyst, journalist or researcher. The degree will also appeal if you are intending to pursue postgraduate research in international security and international relations.

Course Structure

This is a new 12-month, full-time (or 24-month, part-time) MA degree.

The first compulsory module ‘International Relations Theory’ is central to all our international politics MA degrees and provides an essential grounding in International Relations theory. It provides a current and inter-disciplinary understanding of international politics and does not require previous knowledge of theory.

The second compulsory module, ‘International Security’, examines the study of security in the international system, through its roots in Cold War strategic studies to the development of the more broadly focused field of security studies today. The module critically analyses contemporary security issues and provides a sound theoretical base for considering practical issues of security, including new wars, intervention and terrorism.

The final compulsory taught module, ‘War Games’, introduces students to some of the major issues and ideas concerning diplomacy and military strategy in International Relations. You will learn about the theoretical and practical challenges concerning strategic relations between states, developing a more nuanced understanding of war and peace in international politics.

You will also have the opportunity to choose three optional modules, open to all MA International Relations students.

The remaining core component of the course is the ‘Dissertation’ module. You are required to write a dissertation on an agreed topic with a specialist supervisor. This module develops the skills required in conducting independent research and you will gain valuable experience in producing lengthy pieces of research on topics of your own choice.

Assessment

Assessment is a mixture of the more traditional academic approach - coursework and exams - alongside course tests and reflective reports. All modules will seek to improve your engagement and encourage independent learning.

The majority of teaching relies on lectures and seminars, but will utilise, where appropriate, films and scenarios in order to explore different ideas and examples, both thematically and empirically.

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Entry Requirements Degree Subject: Humanities or Social Sciences Degree Classification: UK BA (Hons) 2.1 or equivalent Students for whom English is a Foreign language

We welcome applications from students whose first language is not English. To ensure such students benefit from postgraduate study, we require evidence of proficiency in English. Our usual entry requirements are as follows:

• IELTS: 6.5 (minimum 6.0 in all components)
• TOEFL: Internet-based score of 88 (minimum 18 listening, 21 speaking, 19 writing and 20 in reading)
• PTE (Pearson): 62 (minimum 55 in all components)

Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.

Other tests such as TOEIC and the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English are also accepted by the university. Please check with the Admissions Office for further details including the scores or grades required.

INTO UEA and INTO UEA London run pre-sessional courses which can be taken prior to the start of your course. For further information and to see if you qualify please contact intopre-sessional@uea.ac.uk (INTO UEA Norwich) or pseuealondon@into.uk.com (INTO UEA London).

Intakes

The School's annual intake is in September of each year.

Alternative Qualifications

If you have alternative qualifications that have not been mentioned above then please contact university directly for further information.

Assessment

All applications for postgraduate study are processed through the Faculty Admissions Office and forwarded to the relevant School of Study for consideration. If you are currently completing your first degree or have not yet taken a required English language test, any offer of a place will be conditional upon you achieving this before you arrive.

The School of Political, Social and International Studies offers a wide range of MA degrees. They all aim to combine an emphasis on student choice with professional training in research skills, but vary in the emphasis they place on the latter. Several of the MA programmes have Economic and Social Research Council (ERSC) recognition. This means that they meet national criteria for the training of social scientists. These skills are very valuable to a wide range of careers.

The MA degrees are led by a team of enthusiastic teachers. We offer a distinctive set of MA programmes that reflect UEA's long-standing tradition of research-led, interdisciplinary teaching. Read more

Our MA students in Media and Cultural Politics were recently given the opportunity to attend a day long seminar with the leading critical theorist Stuart Hall. As part of the Issues in Media and Cultural Politics core module, we took our students to the 'Soundings' day long research seminar held at Marx House in London. Professor Stuart Hall provided the keynote address in which he described how modern capitalism has colonised public life, and provided a critical reflection upon the extent to which there was any opportunity for symbolic meaning to generate an alternative culture and politics. There was a lively discussion by many of the participants which gave our MA students the opportunity to engage with significant figures in the world of media and cultural politics at first hand.

Career Destinations for our MA and Diploma Students

The careers that our students follow after gaining one of our MAs or Diplomas vary greatly, but typical careers include: further postgraduate research in universities or other more policy-oriented domestic or international institutions, the media, diplomacy, international marketing and business. The 2005 EU Studies Guide featured the experience of two former MA students on "Why choosing the right degree could land you the perfect job".

Catch the latest debates and issues in the field of international relations at www.irrationalmagazine.wordpress.com/. Latest essays range from refugee repatriation to rape as a weapon in war. Irrational is edited by post-graduate students at UEA in PSI and Development Studies.

Fees and Funding Tuition fees

Tuition fees for Postgraduate students for the academic year 2013/4 are £5,000 for Home/EU students and £12,500 for International Students.

If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home/EU students).

Please note that all the above fees are expected to rise for the year 2014/15. We estimate living expenses at £600/650 per month.

International scholarships

All international students (outside the European Union) are considered for a scholarship of between £1000 and £2000 towards tuition fees. In order to be considered for an International Scholarship you do not need to make a separate application. Please indicate on your application for admission that you wish to be considered for a scholarship. It is important to make the application as early as possible because they are considered as they are received. So apply early to make sure of the best chance of success.

Scholarships are awarded to students on the basis of academic merit and are for the duration of the period of study (which will be one year). Students of outstanding academic ability will also be considered for Faculty Scholarship Awards, usually in March and May each year, which can be worth up to 100% of the tuition fee. These are highly competitive and prestigious awards. Those students being offered a scholarship will be notified directly by the School of Study.

Scholarships and Awards:

The Faculty of Arts and Humanities has a number of Scholarships and Awards on offer for 2013 entry. For further information relevant to the School of Political, Social and International Studies, please click here.