Program Overview
The MA in International Security provides students with an advanced understanding of security issues in the post-Cold War era, examining threats, security management, and theoretical perspectives. The program offers flexibility through a mix of required and optional modules, catering to students' specific interests and career aspirations. Graduates possess a solid foundation for careers in government, military, academia, and business.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The MA in International Security is a postgraduate degree that provides students with an advanced understanding of issues in international security since the end of the Cold War. It focuses on security in relation to issues of force and power in international relations. The program considers the nature of contemporary security threats and the nature and management of security threats, including security cooperation in the absence of an overarching world government.
- The changing meaning of security and what issues are considered to be security issues
- The different concepts that inform the study and practice of security
- The range of security issues of the post-Cold War and post-9/11 periods
Program Description:
The MA in International Security is a flexible degree that allows students to tailor their curriculum to their own interests. Students take two core modules in Security Studies and Contemporary Security Challenges, which provide a foundation for thinking about the subject. They then select four modules from a wide range of options. This flexibility is ideal for those with a broad range of interests in security studies and terrorism or for those who want to construct a curriculum around a particular area of interest.
Outline:
Compulsory Modules:
- Security Studies: This module provides a foundational understanding of the core concepts that inform the study and practice of security.
- Contemporary Security Challenges: This module examines the nature and management of contemporary security threats, including terrorism, cyberwarfare, and climate change.
- Dissertation: Students undertake an independent research project on a topic of their choice, culminating in a written dissertation.
Optional Modules:
Students choose four modules from the POLSIS optional modules list. The specific modules offered may vary from year to year.
Assessment:
The program uses a variety of assessment methods, including:
- Essays: Students write essays on a range of topics related to international security.
- Presentations: Students present their research findings to their peers and faculty.
- Examinations: Students take examinations on the core modules.
- Dissertation: The dissertation is assessed based on its originality, research methodology, and argumentation.
Teaching:
The program employs a range of teaching methods, including:
- Lectures: Lectures provide students with an overview of key concepts and theories in international security.
- Seminars: Seminars provide students with the opportunity to discuss their ideas and knowledge in smaller groups.
- Tutorials: Tutorials provide students with individual feedback on their work.
- Workshops: Workshops are problem-solving sessions facilitated by a member of academic staff.
Careers:
Graduates from the MA in International Security program are well-prepared for careers in a variety of fields, including:
- Government: Graduates may work for national governments, international organizations, or non-governmental organizations.
- Military: Graduates may work for the military or defense industry.
- Academia: Graduates may pursue careers in research or teaching.
- Business: Graduates may work for businesses that operate in international markets.
Other:
As a postgraduate student in the Department of Political Science and International Studies (POLSIS), students have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of events, including:
- Research events: The International Relations and Security Theory research group organizes research events, including inviting visiting speakers.
- Social events: The department hosts a variety of social events for postgraduate students.
