International Relations MA (Hons) 2019 entry

The MA (Hons) in International Relations will teach you to explore issues such as the origins of war and peace, the making of foreign policy, trade regimes, international terrorism, human rights, international law, and the interaction of political and economic development.

Students will develop the skills to assess developments in the international system and specific geographical regions; analyse the ways in which states relate to other international actors; and develop normative theories that relate the world as it is to the world as it might be.

Applications for 2019 entry for this course have now closed, see which courses are available for the upcoming academic year.

UCAS code

L250

Course type

Master of Arts (single Honours degree)

Course duration

Four years full time

  • Start date: 9 September 2019
  • End date: 30 June 2023

If you started this programme in 2018, you can find information about 2018 entry on the 2018 International Relations page. Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the archive.

Entry requirements

SQA Highers AAAB
GCE A-Levels AAA
IB points 38

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry on to our programmes, please see our entry requirements for more information.

For degrees combining more than one subject, the subject with the higher entry requirements determines the grades you need. You will also need to meet any further subject specific entrance requirements as outlined on their pages.

International applicants

If English is not your first language you will need an overall IELTS score of 7.0, with a minimum score of 6.5 in each component (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking), or an equivalent English Language qualification.

Do I need to have studied this subject before?

No previous knowledge of this subject is required.

Faculty entry requirements

You must also meet the Faculty of Arts minimum qualifications. These vary depending on which qualifications you hold.

Other qualifications

Passes in other examinations at equivalent levels and subjects may be accepted by the Dean of the Faculty. More information on how to apply via other entry routes or accreditation of prior learning and experience can be found on the University’s entry requirements webpage.

Find out more about Faculty of Arts entry requirements.

Timetables

St Andrews students must meet with their Adviser of Studies at the beginning of Semester 1 in September to complete advising – a compulsory part of the matriculation process. After module choices have been decided, a timetable will be allocated indicating the dates and times of classes.

Reputation

The School of International Relations has been placed among the very best in the UK for the quality of its research.

International Relations at St Andrews was ranked first in the UK by the Guardian University Guide 2019 and first in Scotland by the Complete University Guide 2019.

The School was ranked second in Scotland for research by the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, with 72% of its research rated world-leading and internationally excellent.

The University of St Andrews as a whole was voted top in the UK for student academic experience in The National Student Survey 2018 as 94% of St Andrews final year students gave the University top marks for the quality of the learning and teaching experience.

The University has secured a TEF Gold Award for the quality of teaching and the undergraduate experience.

Find out more about studying International Relations at St Andrews.

Course information

The MA (Hons) in International Relations is a four-year course run by the School of International Relations. In the first two years, you will study key theoretical approaches and concepts in International Relations; explore foreign policy making and its relation to international security; and examine how theoretical approaches to International Relations relate to issues in global politics.

Alongside International Relations, in the first year of your studies, you will be required to study an additional two subjects. In the second year you will usually carry on at least one of these subjects, sometimes two. Find out more about how academic years are organised.

First and second year will equip you with the range of experience and critical skills necessary for more in-depth study of specialist subject areas at Honours level.

Specialist subject areas include:

  • comparative politics of states in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America
  • peace and conflict resolution
  • gender and international politics
  • human rights
  • international law and institutions
  • international political economy
  • international security
  • international theory
  • globalisation
  • terrorism.

Final year students must also complete a 12,000-word dissertation on a topic chosen in consultation with teaching staff at the School of International Relations.

The University of St Andrews operates on a flexible modular degree system by which degrees are obtained through the accumulation of credits. More information on the structure of the modules system can be found on the flexible degree structure webpage.

Find out more about studying International Relations at St Andrews.

Modules

In the first two years of your degree (known as sub-honours) you will take the required modules in International Relations alongside modules in at least one other subject.

Typically, you will take three modules per semester during your first two years, and two modules per semester during your third and fourth year (known as Honours). Find out more about the modular Scottish degree system.

Sub-honours students take one module each semester which introduces them to the concepts, theories and history of International Relations. In addition, students will be introduced to study skills and research methods to enable them to undertake research during their Honours years.

If you decide to take International Relations in your third and fourth years, you choose from a wide variety of advanced options, including modules in conflict and conflict resolution, human rights, international law, international security, globalisation, terrorism, and comparative politics including Africa, Middle East, Latin America, China, Central and East Asia.

Here is a sample of Honours modules which have been offered in previous years:

  • Activism and Resistance
  • The Arab-Israeli Conflict
  • Armed Conflict in Postcolonial Africa
  • Asian Security
  • Gender and Terrorism
  • Geopolitics of Energy in the Caspian Region
  • Global Public Policy
  • Human Rights in Theory and Practice
  • Ideologies and Social Movements in the Middle East
  • Indian Foreign Policy
  • International Political Economy
  • International Security
  • Music, Politics and International Relations
  • Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Intervention
  • Political Islam in International Relations
  • Refugees and International Relations
  • US Foreign Policy

In fourth year, students also undertake a 12,000-word dissertation on a topic of their choice. This independent project enables you to develop key research skills which are desired by both prospective employers and by graduate schools offering postgraduate degrees.


The sub-honours modules listed here are the compulsory modules that students must take in order to graduate in this subject. However, most students at St Andrews take additional modules, either in their primary subject or from other subjects they are interested in. For Honours level, students choose from a range of Honours modules, some of which are listed above. A full list of all modules currently available can be found in the module catalogue.

Teaching

Teaching format

Research-led teaching brings cutting-edge research directly to the classroom.

In your first and second years, you will have three lectures a week per module (approximately 365 students), which decreases to one lecture per module per week at Honours level (15 to 25 students).

Lectures are supported by weekly small group tutorials (10 to 15 students) to discuss the material covered in lectures.

When not attending lectures and tutorials you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve:

  • working on individual and group projects
  • undertaking research in the library
  • preparing coursework assignments and presentations
  • preparing for examinations.

You will be taught by an experienced teaching team with expertise and knowledge of International Relations. Postgraduate research students who have undertaken teacher training may also contribute to the teaching of tutorials under the supervision of the module leader. 

You can find contact information for all International Relations staff on the School of International Relations website.

In addition to your studies in the School, optional academic support is available through practical study skills courses and workshops hosted within the University.

The University’s student services team can help students with additional needs resulting from disabilities, long term medical conditions or learning disabilities. More information can be found on the students with disabilities webpage.

Assessment

Modules in International Relations are assessed by a mixture of coursework and written exams. Some modules have only written essays rather than final exams.

Coursework takes the form of essays, along with other kinds of assessed work including oral presentations and group projects.

Examinations are held at the end of each semester during a dedicated exam diet with revision time provided beforehand.

The School provides feedback on every assessment, with a view to improving your performance in future.

Undergraduates at the University of St Andrews must achieve at least 7.0 on the St Andrews 20-point grade scale to pass a module. To gain access to Honours-level modules, students must achieve the relevant requisites as specified in the policy on entry to Honours and in the relevant programme requirements. Please note that some Schools offer qualified entry to Honours, and this will be clearly specified in the programme requirements. To find out the classification equivalent of points, please visit the common reporting scale webpage.

Fees

Tuition fees for 2019 entry

Scotland and EU £1,820
Rest of the UK £9,250
Overseas £22,350

For overseas students, tuition fees will be fixed at this level for the duration of your programme.

More information on tuition fees can be found on the undergraduate fees and funding page.

Accommodation fees

Find out about accommodation fees for University accommodation.

Funding and scholarships

The University of St Andrews offers a number of scholarships and support packages to undergraduate students each year.

Find out more about undergraduate scholarships.

Joint Honours degrees

You can take International Relations as part of a joint Honours degree alongside one of the following subjects.

It is possible to combine a degree in International Relations with two modern languages. Any combination of Arabic, French, German, Italian, Persian, Russian or Spanish is available.

  • Ancient History
  • Arabic
  • Art History
  • Biblical Studies
  • Classical Studies
  • Comparative Literature
  • Economics
  • Film Studies
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Italian
  • Management
  • Mathematics
  • Mediaeval History
  • Middle East Studies
  • Modern History
  • Persian
  • Philosophy
  • Psychology
  • Russian
  • Scottish History
  • Social Anthropology
  • Spanish
  • Sustainable Development
  • Theological Studies

"With" degrees

You can take International Relations as part of a "with" Honours degree in which the majority of the course deals with the first named subject. St Andrews offers the following "with" degree in International Relations:

  • International Relations with Persian

Your future

Careers

International Relations graduates go on to a very diverse range of careers.

Graduates have expertise in area studies including Africa, Europe and the Middle East; foreign policy; international organisations and regimes; peace and conflict studies; political theory; and terrorism and political violence. Therefore, they are well equipped for careers in:

  • accountancy
  • armed services
  • banking and insurance
  • foreign services
  • international business
  • law
  • media, radio and television
  • public services (civil service, local governments, public corporations, hospital management)
  • research
  • social services (child care, youth employment, probation).

Career destinations for recent graduates include:

  • Armed Forces
  • BBC
  • Crown Office and Fiscal Service
  • East-West Institute
  • Fleishman-Hillard
  • Reid-Howe Associates
  • The Scotsman newspaper
  • UNESCO

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.

Study abroad

The University is delighted to offer undergraduates a number of exciting opportunities to apply to spend a semester or year abroad as part of a St Andrews degree programme. St Andrews is partnered with large and small institutions, ancient and young, across the globe. What unites all of our programmes is the quality of the academic provision, ensuring that participation in a St Andrews Study abroad programme opens the door to a new and valuable academic experience at another world-class institution. Study Abroad for credit is permitted on existing University-approved programmes only.

Student life

From the outset, the University of St Andrews offers an array of events and opportunities which result in a truly unique student experience. Students participate in a range of traditions, notably, the red academic gown and the academic family, where older students adopt first year students as ‘children’ and help guide them in a system of mentoring. These traditions and the choice of over 150 sports clubs and student societies to choose from ensures a community feel amongst students from first year onwards.

Students of International Relations may be interested in joining the following student societies:

  • Model United Nations runs a programme of events throughout the year, culminating in a conference with nearly 700 international delegates.
  • The Foreign Affairs Society is a diverse and dynamic society that encourages the St Andrews community to explore global politics and current affairs.

International Relations is housed in the Arts Building, which is centrally located right next to the University library. Students will primarily attend lectures here, but may go to other buildings around St Andrews for larger lectures.

The town of St Andrews itself has lots to offer. As the campus is located around town, walking around you encounter ancient and modern buildings and areas of greenery and seaside which provide a rich, beautiful backdrop to learning. If you want a change of scenery, St Andrews' position near surrounding towns and cities such as Anstruther, Dundee and Edinburgh make it ideal for getting to know more about Scotland.

Find out more about student life at the University of St Andrews.

“I chose to study International Relations because I find it genuinely fascinating. Moreover, international relations will always remain important because politics is ever-changing and keeps moving forward. The topics covered, especially as you specialise, are very interesting and are all taught by experts in the field.”

Michaela (Kuching, Malaysia)

Contact information

School of International Relations
University of St Andrews
Arts Faculty Building
St Andrews
KY16 9BA

Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 2938
Email: intrel@st-andrews.ac.uk

International Relations website

Policies

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).