Course information

Course highlights

• The programme enables students to apply knowledge of strategy-making and strategic thinking as a historical practice to armed conflict in the contemporary world.
• The degree is highly interdisciplinary and is run jointly between the Schools of International Relations and History. It is also linked with the new Institute for the Study of War and Strategy, launching in autumn of 2016.
• The wide-ranging choice of optional modules enables students to tailor the programme’s taught elements to their individual requirements and interests.

Teaching format

The MLitt in Strategic Studies is a one year taught postgraduate programme run jointly by the Schools of International Relations and History, and is linked to the Institute for the Study of War and Strategy. 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.

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 Strategic 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

• Modern War and Strategy: provides students with essential knowledge of strategy and military history as well as the necessary skills and techniques for independent further study of topics and questions in strategic studies.
• Strategic Thought: provides students with essential knowledge of strategic thought and the history of strategic thought as well as an overview of the academic field of strategic studies.

Optional modules

Optional modules are subject to change each year, and attendance may be limited (see the University’s position on curriculum development).

• 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 gender as a tool for the construction and maintenance of power.
• 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: Hannah Arendt: 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.
• Directed Reading in the History of War and Strategy: a directed reading project designed to encourage the development of skills of historical analysis related to the history of war and strategy through concentrated study of topics chosen by the student in consultation with the tutor. 

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 strategic 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. The completed dissertation must be submitted by the end of August.

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.

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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).