Course information

Course highlights

• The course provides detailed study of international security topics ranging from particular geographical regions to vital contemporary issues such as terrorism, great power relations, identity anad conflict, gender and political economy.
• The programme is designed to provide students with key conceptual tools needed to be competitive in the job market.
• Students take two compulsory modules, International Security Studies and Critical Security Studies, which will ground them in both long-standing and contemporary approaches to security issues.
• Prepares students for a wide range of professional careers including government, NGOs, IOs and regional organisations such as the EU.

Teaching format

The MLitt in International Security Studies is a one year taught postgraduate programme run by the School of International Relations. The programme commences in September and ends the following August.

The programme consists of four taught modules taken over two semesters and a 15,000-word dissertation in an area of your choice. The two compulsory modules, International Security Studies and Critical Security Studies, will ground you in both long-standing and contemporary approaches to security issues.

Modules are taught through a mixture of lectures, seminars and tutorials with average lecture sizes ranging from 20 to 30 students and tutorial sizes ranging from 1 to 15 students. Assessment methods include a combination of examination and coursework.

Every MLitt student is assigned a dissertation supervisor who will advise on the choice of subject and provide guidance throughout the research process. 

Further particulars regarding curriculum development.

Modules

All International Security Studies MLitt students take two compulsory and two optional modules over the course of the programme.

The modules in this programme have varying methods of delivery and assessment. For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the latest module catalogue.

Compulsory modules

• International Security: focuses on important issues and significant debates in security studies.
• Critical Security Studies: examines the challenge to traditional conceptions of security presented by the emergence of critical security studies since the end of the Cold War.

Optional modules

Optional modules are subject to change each year, and attendance may be limited (see the University’s position on curriculum development). You may, with permission, take modules from other MLitt programmes in the School.

• Terrorism and Liberal Democracy: explores the development of contemporary terrorism; and the conceptional and definitional issues concerning terrorism.
• Conflict and Peace in Post-Communist Eurasia: examines where and why conflicts have arisen throughout the post-communist space, Eurasia, particularly in the Balkans, Caucasus and Central Asia.
• Religion and International Politics: investigates the so-called 'global resurgence' of politicised religion.
• Identity and Collective Violence: studies the concept of violence as a group or collective phenomenon.
• Political Economy of Conflict: provides a political economy perspective on conflict in a developing economy.
• Gender and Terrorism: explores how terrorism as an activity and those involved in terrorism are gendered.
• The Evolution of United Nations Peacekeeping: looks at the development of United Nations peacekeeping from the 1940s to the present.
• Political Order and Violence in the Middle East: examines the causes and consequences of political order and violence in the Middle East.
• Political Philosophy and World Order: explores philosophical reflections on the idea of world order through a study of key political philosophy texts.
• 'Reason of State': Origin, Nature and Career of a Concept: studies the meaning, origins, development and significance of the notion of 'reason of state' in western political thought.
• Topics in International Political Thought: introduces key themes in the international realm through close engagement with the ideas of a single theorist.
• Ideologies and Social Movements in the Middle East: focuses on prominent ideologies in the modern history of the Middle East, and the role ideas play in the political mobilisation of society.
• Conflicts, Security and Democracy in the Greater Caucasus: examines the history, languages and culture of the Caucasus.
• Social Movements, Revolutions and Authoritarianism in North Africa: investigates the dynamics and outcomes of social protests in the authoritarian regimes of North African region in the post-colonial period.
• Foreign Policy Analysis: covers the literature, research topics and current issues in the area of foreign policy analysis.
• Global Constitutionalism: explores developments in international politics and law that reveal an increasingly constitutional order.
• Politics After the ‘Death of God’: Evil and Tragedy in Modern Politics: explores the concept of political theology as a way to understand international affairs.
• Security and Justice Institutions in World Politics: examines the role of different international institutions in governing world politics.

The modules listed ran in the academic year 2015-2016 and are indicative of this course. There is no guarantee that these modules will run for 2016 entry.

Take a look at the most up-to-date modules in the module catalogue.

Dissertation

The final element of the MLitt is a 15,000 word dissertation. The dissertation should focus on an area of international security studies in which you are interested. Each student is supported by a relevant supervisor from the School who will advise on the choice of subject and provide guidance throughout the research process.

If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MLitt, there are exit awards available that allow suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of an MLitt.

Conferences and events

The School of International Relations hosts a variety of research seminars throughout the academic session to promote the work of the faculty, students and visiting speakers.

A number of student-led associations and organisations contribute to development and profile of International Relations throughout the University and the community.

• Model United Nations (SaintMUN): promotes awareness and understanding of international affairs among the student body through simulated debates and seminars.
• International Politics Association (IPA): provides a platform for those involved in the practice of international relations and political affairs to express their views and offer their insights.
• The Foreign Affairs Society: encourages the St Andrews community to explore global politics and current affairs.

Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our Admissions policy.

Curriculum development

As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online. (PDF, 72 KB).

Tuition fees

The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online. (PDF, 84 KB).