Programme structure: International Relations (MSc) - what's running in 2026/27

Please note: Programme and unit information may change as the relevant academic field develops. We may also make changes to the structure of programmes and assessments to improve the student experience.

    This section describes which Units you will take in which year of study. It indicates which units are mandatory and where you will be able to choose. The overall pass marks you will need to achieve in order to progress or achieve an award are shown. The full regulations concerning progression and completion are held in the University's Regulations and Code of Practice. Any particular aspects of your programme that are unusual will be highlighted. If any Units are must pass this will be shown below. The linked unit specifications detail any additional requirements.

    What do the Levels represent?

    What do the teaching blocks (TB) mean?

    If you are selecting optional units, ensure that you have a balanced workload through the year.

  • Year 1 (2026/27)
Unit name Unit code Credit points Status Teaching Block
International Security POLIM3012 20 Optional TB-1
Theories of International Relations POLIM3014 20 Optional TB-1
International Political Economy POLIM3015 20 Optional TB-2
Students choose one of two dissertation options:
Dissertation POLIM1001 60 Optional AYEAR
Dissertation - Applied Research SPAIM0052 60 Optional TB-4
Students must choose 20 credit points among optional units in TB1 and 40 credits in TB2. At least 40 credits in total must be from POLIM units.
Capitalist Transformation in East Asia POLIM0051 20 Optional TB-1
Conflict, Security and Development POLIM1007 20 Optional TB-1
Feminisms and International Relations POLIM3013 20 Optional TB-1
Theoretical Approaches to Security POLIM0029 20 Optional TB-1
Theories of Development POLIM3018 20 Optional TB-1
Understanding Culture SOCIM0014 20 Optional TB-1
Contemporary Identities and Inequalities SOCIM0015 20 Optional TB-1
Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods in the Social Sciences SOCIM0013 20 Optional TB-1
Philosophy and Research Design in the Social Sciences SOCIM0012 20 Optional TB-1
Society, Politics and Climate Change POLIM0055 20 Optional TB-1
Vulnerabilities, Capacities and Disasters POLIM0058 20 Optional TB-1
Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods in the Social Sciences SOCIM0011 20 Optional TB-1,TB-2
Care, Labour and Gender SOCIM0004 20 Optional TB-2
China’s Political Economy: Trade and Finance in China POLIM0040 20 Optional TB-2
China's International Relations POLIM0023 20 Optional TB-2
Climate Crisis and International Security POLIM0052 20 Optional TB-2
Consumption, Environment and Sustainable Development SOCIM0034 20 Optional TB-2
Contemporary Sociological Theory SOCIM3101 20 Optional TB-2
Digital Economy and Society SOCIM0031 20 Optional TB-2
European Security POLIM0019 20 Optional TB-2
Foreign Policy Analysis POLIM3017 20 Optional TB-2
Further Quantitative Methods SPOLM0016 20 Optional TB-2
Gender and Development POLIM2032 20 Optional TB-1
Gender, Masculinity/ies and International Relations POLIM3016 20 Optional TB-2
Global transformations: Issues and Trajectories POLIM0059 20 Optional TB-2
Managing and Evaluating Development POLIM2036 20 Optional TB-2
Rationality and Absurdity SOCIM0033 20 Optional TB-1
The Middle East in International Relations Theory POLIM0037 20 Optional TB-2
The Politics of (Un)sustainability POLIM0028 20 Optional TB-1
Understanding Social Movements SOCIM0028 20 Optional TB-2
Transitional Justice in the Aftermath of Conflict POLIM0049 20 Optional TB-2
Advanced Quantitative Research POLIM0064 20 Optional TB-2
MSc International Relations   180    

Award requirements

The pass mark set by the University for any level 7 unit is 50 out of 100.

For detailed rules on the award of credit, reassessment and award of a qualification please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.

Degree classifications:

A classification will be awarded in the following qualifications:

  • Taught postgraduate Masters degree, including a Master of Research (MRes)
  • Postgraduate Diplomas and Certificates where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications
  • Exit awards of Postgraduate Diplomas and Certificates in designated programmes (as described in the programme specification) where students choose to withdraw from the intended programme but otherwise achieve the necessary credit points for the exit award.

A classification is not awarded for exit awards where students are required to withdraw from the programme on academic grounds.

The overall final programme mark is calculated as the average of all unit marks in the programme, weighted by credit point value.

The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:

  • Distinction = final programme mark of 70+
  • Merit = final programme mark of 60-69
  • Pass = final programme mark of 50-59
  • Fail = final programme mark of 49 or less

* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.

Diploma/certificate stages:

To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 100 must be at level 7.

To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level 7.

Related links