International Relations with European Politics

Entry requirements

You should have a bachelor’s honours degree or international equivalent, typically a high 2:2 or above.

To apply for this course you should have an undergraduate degree in an appropriate social sciences subject such as European Studies, International Relations, Modern Languages, Politics, History, Economics or Sociology. We will also consider graduates with an undergraduate degree in other subjects where you have substantial relevant professional experience.

We may make an offer based on a lower grade if you can provide evidence of your suitability for the degree.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Deepen your understanding of the causes and consequences of some of the major threats facing global societies, with a focus on their impact on European politics.

This course allows you to explore key challenges that span global borders and communities and how to develop sustainable solutions to them.

You’ll examine the politics and policymaking of global powers, paying close attention to how their decisions and interactions impact the management and maintenance of political order.

This will deepen your understanding of the causes and consequences of major political issues, and equip you with the knowledge needed to address them effectively in a range of contexts.

Specialise in European politics

Our MSc International Relations with European Politics pathway will allow you to explore Europe’s role as a key entity in global affairs and examine foreign policy in the context of the EU and other important states.

You’ll delve into the complexities of the continent’s role on the world stage, and examine the interplay between it and other superpowers — including the United States and China. This will allow you to gain key insights into how European politics impacts social, economic, and policy-making structures across the planet.

You’ll primarily focus on the European Union (EU) and its approach to foreign policy, integration, security issues, and institutional priorities. However, you’ll also explore these issues within other key states outside of this group — including the United Kingdom — to develop a well-rounded understanding of the power dynamics at play on a global stage.

Upon successful completion of this course, you’ll have gained:

• detailed and career-focused knowledge of strategies that address the political and policy implications of European politics that you can use to tackle complex challenges from multiple perspectives
• the ability to engage with communities and policymakers through effective advocacy
• a fundamental understanding of topics, such as global security and cybersecurity threats; changes of leadership and the emergence of new powers; and the evolving nature of international politics
• advanced research, analytical, and communication skills suitable for many roles in politics and policymaking, consulting and policy advocacy

Choose a consultancy project

The consultancy project is an alternative to a dissertation. It’s your chance to work on a project with an external organisation, using the skills and knowledge you’ll gain during your studies.

Working alone or as part of a group, you’ll conduct appropriate research, analyse data (if necessary) and share your solution as a written report and presentation.

You will benefit from our well-established business connections across the field of international relations and related sectors, both in the UK and overseas.

Consultancy project numbers are limited each year. You’ll apply for a suitable project with one of our external partners and will receive support from us during this process. If a suitable project can’t be secured, you will complete a dissertation instead.

Find out more about consultancy projects

Learn from experts in the field

You’ll learn from experts in international relations, European and global politics, gender politics, international security, and foreign policy, as well as from academic staff across the wider Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies. Their passion, expertise, and research directly inform their teaching, enriching your learning experience.

Other pathways

You can choose our standalone MSc International Relations degree, or one of four specialist pathways.

• MSc International Relations with Foreign Policy
• MSc International Relations with Gender Politics
• MSc International Relations with International Security

Each specialist pathway allows you to complement your core international relations learning with units that focus on applying it to key topics and issues in your chosen area.

The standalone MSc International Relations degree gives you the freedom to select specialist units from any available pathway and build a more holistic degree.

You can change the pathway you study on this course. If you're considering switching, we recommend speaking with your Director of Studies. Transfer between the pathways is possible until the end of Semester 1, or within the first three weeks of Semester 1 if transferring to the MSc in International Relations with European Politics.

Please note that changing pathways is subject to approval by the course's Director of Studies, visa requirements (if applicable), and meeting the requirements for the pathway you intend to change to.

Graduate prospects

Studying this course provides an excellent grounding for careers in politics and policymaking, consulting, policy-advocacy and foreign affairs, within international organisations, multinational corporations, public bodies, NGOs and think tanks.

Graduates from our politics master’s degrees have gone on to successful careers in a wide range of organisations, including:

• Danish EU Research Liaison Office in Brussels, Belgium
• Enel Green Power North America Inc, USA (Director of External Relations and Communications)
• European Parliament, Spain
• World Energy Council in Berlin, Germany

Others have chosen to continue their careers in academia.

Fees and funding

See our website for further information on fees for this course.