International Relations and Security: University of Westminster

Introduction

The course aims to provide a postgraduate understanding of international relations and security.

The internationally recognised Department of Politics and International Relations (DPIR) hosts this course, offering an innovative, disciplined and intellectually challenging theoretical and empirical framework for the study of issues and perspectives within the international relations discipline, and a stimulating environment with students and staff from a variety of countries, cultures and societies. The Department is located on Wells Street in the heart of London with ready access to the capital's excellent academic, social and cultural opportunities, half a mile from the Houses of Parliament and close to the University’s Regent library. Masters students have their own computer suite and common area. All staff offices are located within the Department.

The question of security has come to dominate contemporary international politics. Issues such as the “War on Terror”, preemptive self-defense and humanitarian intervention constitute seminal international concerns which have implications for all states and all peoples. This course provides students with a detailed understanding of the nature of the contemporary security agenda, its origins, theoretical foundations and future trajectory.

Course Content

The course focuses on theories of international security and those key security issues with have come to dominate security discourse in the post-Cold War era. Students will formulate a comprehensive understanding of the seminal contemporary security issues and develop analytical skills to enable them to understand these issues in a broader theoretical and historical framework.

Core Modules:

• Contemporary Controversies in International Security: Intervention, Terrorism and Self Defense
• Dissertation and Research Methods
• Theories of International Security
• International Relations Theory 1: Theoretical Perspectives

Options, choose three from:

• Controversies in United States Foreign Policies and Processes
• Democracy and Islam
• Environmental and Urban Governance: International Perspectives
• European Immigration Policy in International Perspective
• The European Union as an International Actor
• Governance of the European Union
• International Humanitarian Law
• Latin America and Globalisation
• Modernity, Postmodernity and the Islamic Perspective
• Perspectives on Post-Cold War Chinese Foreign Policy
• Politics, Public Life and the Media
• One of your options may be an approved free choice module hosted by another Masters course.

Associated Careers

This course will provide you with numerous key skills and knowledge that will prepare you for your future career in a variety of different fields. Their graduates hold posts within various international and national government departments and organisations. A substantial number of their graduates have also gone on to study for doctorates at Westminster and at other universities in different parts of the world.

Entry Requirements

• You will require a good Honours degree, First Class or Upper Second Class or equivalent. Equivalent qualifications from overseas are welcome
• If you hold or are expecting to gain a good first degree in an unrelated subject, you may be required to complete the University’s Summer School module in international relations or an equivalent approved by the course admissions tutor.
• You will need fluent written and spoken English to study at postgraduate level.
• If your first language is not English, an attainment of at least IELTS 6.5 or equivalent must be demonstrated.
• The University offers presessional summer programmes if you need to improve your English before starting your course.
• Your application must be supported by a reference written on institutional notepaper by an academic familiar with your abilities.
• Applications from mature candidates are welcomed.