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Aberystwyth University |
The Department of International Politics at Aberystwyth is the oldest of its kind in the world. It was founded in 1919 (in the immediate aftermath of World War I) in an attempt to help humanity better understand the reasons for war, conflict and suffering. The Department continues to be centrally concerned with the major questions in global politics: power, conflict, ethics, security and political participation. Widely recognized as the home of the discipline, the Department has evolved into the best centre for the study of international politics in the United Kingdom and its staff are committed to excellence in teaching and research to offer an outstanding and dynamic learning environment. The Department of International Politics is committed to a philosophy of combining outstanding teaching with some of the most interesting and most provocative research in the field. Testimony to this commitment is the Department's achievements in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, which ranks Aberystwyth first among all international politics/international relations departments. The Department has also achieved a grade of 'excellent' for its teaching—the highest grade possible. Members of staff continue to be pioneers in the area, striking out in new and innovative directions while shaping the agenda that defines the subject. In one of several 'firsts' the Department was the first in the UK to appoint a lecturer in strategic studies. It is also home to Critical Security Studies, which is part of the redefining security agenda that emerged with the end of the Cold War. It has been at the forefront in pushing the boundaries in international ethics, intelligence studies, and critical terrorism studies. And UNESCO chair for the study of HIV/AIDS, Education, and Security—the first UNESCO chair in Wales—is located in the Department. The Department of International Politics is home to an outstandingly talented group of scholars who regularly publish in leading journals and the world's finest presses. They are also active participants in major conferences throughout the world, helping to shape the direction of the field and to understanding the most urgent problems of contemporary international relations. A large and extremely successful graduate school is one of several defining features of an unrivalled research culture. Over 100 postgraduate students working towards a Masters degree or pursuing PhD research make a significant and valuable contribution to the intellectual life of the Department. Their considerable achievements are confirmed by conspicuous success in both the academic and professional worlds. The Department's extraordinary research culture is also evident in a wealth of events and activities. Several prestigious annual events, such as the annual E.H. Carr and David Davies Memorial Institute lectures, bring major academic and political figures to Aberystwyth. Graduate School - a masters perspectiveThe Department of International Politics offers an extensive range of taught Masters degree schemes as part of its renowned Graduate School. All Masters modules are taught by full-time members of staff in small seminar groups and the quality of their teaching has been judged by the Higher Education Funding Council of the United Kingdom to be 'Excellent'. The Masters programme emphasises the development of strong writing and analytical skills as well as the capacity to work independently—that is, qualities on which employers place a premium. The programme is also ideal for students who want to pursue PhD research on completion of the Masters degree. Each year a several students use their Aberystwyth Masters degree as a stepping stone toward entry into the Department's PhD programme, which is one of the most successful of its kind anywhere. Structure of masters degree schemesMost of the Department's Masters degree schemes are offered through two distinct pathways. The Specialist (S) pathway provides the opportunity for students to pursue advanced, subject specific study in a particular area of the discipline. The Research Training (RT) pathway is designed to strike a balance between subject specific content and general social science training. This pathway is especially important for students contemplating PhD research, especially those who want to apply for research council funding. Like the Specialist degree, this pathway culminates in a dissertation. Masters degree schemesThe Department currently offers 13 specific degree schemes, most of which are offered through both Specialist (S) and Research Training pathways (RT):
Our PhD Programme - be a part of world leading researchThe PhD programme is among the most successful in all of Europe. Students undertaking PhD research are an integral part of the Department's renowned research culture. Their considerable achievements are indicated in several prize winning theses, high quality published work, and success in the job market. These are but a few of the concrete results of the Department's pronounced sense of community—a community like no other. The free exchange of ideas and a plurality of approaches are the underlying values of a programme devoted to the achievement of scholarly excellence. This commitment to research excellence is supported by unparalleled departmental support and the best supervision practices in the field. An internationally recognised group of scholars are experienced in supervising original PhD research falling into several broad areas:
Contact detailsPostgraduate Admissions Office Tel: +44 (0) 1970 622270 |
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