INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, CONFLICT AND SECURITY
Welcome to Northumbria University’s International Relations, Conflict and Security MA MA International Relations, Conflict and Security
YOUR COURSE
YOUR COURSE
YOUR CAMPUS
YOUR EXPERIENCE
YOUR FUTURE
Why International Relations, Conflict and Security MA at Northumbria? Global pandemics, climate change effects, cyber-attacks, the rise of the far right, international terrorism and the disintegration of our democratic systems; these are just some of the threats that this generation will have to meet in the 21st century. • How can we respond to these threats and security issues as individuals, organisations and societies? You will be introduced to the key concepts and theories necessary to understand the features of contemporary international relations, conflict studies and security issues. You will have the opportunity to study regionally differentiated responses to international conflict, across different countries and nations.
What Will You Study? • Explore responses to challenges within a dynamic framework of politics, law and ethics. • You will learn to consider what is possible. In order to discuss the questions of what can be done, versus what ought to be done. • We will give focus to the relationship between international and national interests. • The programme will allow you to understand conflict and security as a policy challenge. • You will be able to recognise the increasing degree of interdependence between states, international organisations and non-state actors in governing this area of international relations. • You will also analyse the ways in which security, development and humanitarian agents adapt to instability.
International Relations, Conflict and Security MA - examples of current modules Academic Language Skills in FADSS Level 7 (Optional)
International Law and Global Justice
Theorising International Conflict, Security and Relations
Contemporary Challenges in Conflict and Security
Social Sciences Postgraduate Dissertation
Conflict and Security Governance
DISCLAIMER: Please note that information, advice and guidance received at the Open Day is accurate as of today, and is subject to change as we review our courses and our offers to ensure that you are receiving the best possible educational experience. The University continues to monitor guidance in relation to Covid-19 to ensure compliance with government requirements and to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff. Our website is the most up to date place to review our information.
Study Options • 1 Year Full Time | September Start • 16 Months Full Time | January Start • 2 Years Part Time | September Start • 28 Months Part Time | January Start
Teaching and Assessment Teaching • Courses are split into modules worth 30 or 60 credits. • Lectures (large group teaching), seminars (small group discussions), workshops (interactive, practical sessions) and dissertations (large scale research project). You will have access to our e-Learning platform Blackboard, where you can re-watch all Panopto-recorded lectures and read workshop presentation slides at your own pace. • There will be case-study learning, which means that you have to engage with real-life cases and use your theoretical learning to make decisions. Assessment • You can choose from a number of options for your dissertation: literaturebased, empirical, or placement-based. You will be supported throughout the process by your dissertation supervisor, and the breadth of staff research interests provides you with the scope to pursue your interests, wherever they may lead.
Our Staff • The MA in International Relations, Conflict and Security will be taught by experienced academics whose expertise is underpinned by a strong track record of related research activity. • You will learn from enthusiastic and well-published teachers and researchers from across the UK and Europe. • Our team is one of the most research-active groups in the Department of Social Sciences, publishing widely in well-known academic journals, responding to contemporary issues and developments, as well as engaging with wider political ideas that shape the way we think and act. • You will also have the opportunity to meet and debate with our visiting professor, the former Director General of the UK’s Security Service (MI5), Sir Andrew Parker KCB
Entry Requirements for 2021 This master's course is open to students from a wide range of undergraduate disciplines. Applicants should normally have: •A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree in any subject. •English language requirements: English language requirements - International applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*). The university accepts many UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find more details at www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications.
YOUR CAMPUS
Our Facilities • Northumbria are 11th in the UK for Facilities.* • Major campus investment in recent years – Student Central, Digital Commons, Architecture Studios, Computer Information Sciences Building and Sports Central which is great for downtime. • One of the best academic libraries in the UK, held Customer Service Excellence (CSE) accreditation since 2010, and with 24/7 access.*** • The 24/7 University Library achieves some of the highest levels of student satisfaction in the UK, and holds Cabinet Office accreditation for Customer Service Excellence. • Our IT, library and course resources are all ahead of sector for satisfaction.** *Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey 2018 *** National Student Survey 2019 *** Digital library is currently 24/7, access to library learning spaces reviewed in line with Covid-19 guidance.
Faculty Facilities • Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) is embedded throughout the course with tools such as the ‘Blackboard’ eLearning Portal and electronic reading lists that will guide your preparation for seminars and independent research. Our use of lecture capture software will help you revise challenging material. • The academic team will help you develop the skills required to plan, manage and review your learning, and support you if you have any issues. A central principle of this system is to help you develop a well-honed ability to work independently upon graduation. • You will be given a dedicated dissertation supervisor with relevant subject expertise and you’ll also have a guidance tutor who will provide support for your personal and academic development. • As you progress, the links between taught elements and your own independent learning will be explained at regular intervals, giving you every opportunity to achieve your full potential. • You will also have access to tailored career guidance in 1-to-1 and CV skills sessions with the Northumbria Careers team.
YOUR FUTURE
Career Success at Northumbria •Learn from 2020’s top young UK University. *Times Higher Education awards 2020. •A postgraduate degree will boost your earning potential - according to the Department for Education’s Graduate Labour Market Statistics 2017, postgraduates earn on average £6,000 a year more than their undergraduate counterparts. •Praise from Which? University Student Survey 2018 which ranked us as one of the toprated universities for ‘job readiness’ in the UK. •Our Careers and Employment Service will help at every stage, from finding part-time jobs that fit alongside your studies and volunteering opportunities, through to finding your first full-time job after graduation. •Our University is ranked top 15 in the UK for graduates in highly skilled employment. *Graduate outcomes 2017/2018
Where do our Graduates Go? The MA International Relations, Conflict and Security is designed to give you a firm grounding in theoretical and professional development. You will graduate with a wide range of transferable skills that will enable you to work in a range of conflict and security analysis related contexts. You will be particularly suited to careers as: • • • • • • •
Political/policy analysts Program/development officers Consultants Risk analysts Advocacy/outreach officers Journalists Management positions in international organisations, NGOs, government, the development sector, media, academia, and the military/private security providers.
THANKS FOR WATCHING. What’s Next?
• Explore our NU World and get a flavour of what’s on offer at Northumbria. Dive into a wealth of video content about how you will learn, what you will love, and where you will live.
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To find out more about the course and Northumbria University visit our website:
www.northumbria.ac.uk •
For Application Queries email bc.applicantservices@northumbria.ac.uk
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For General Enquiries email nu.postgraduate@northumbria.ac.uk
DISCLAIMER: All information on this presentation is accurate at the time of viewing. Courses starting in 2021 are offered as a mix of online and face to face teaching due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. We continue to monitor government and local authority guidance in relation to Covid-19 and we are ready and able to flex accordingly to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff. Students will be required to attend campus as far as restrictions allow. Contact time will increase as restrictions ease, or decrease, potentially to a full online offer, should restrictions increase. Our online activity will be delivered through Blackboard Ultra, enabling collaboration, connection and engagement with materials and people.