find your perfect postgrad program
Search our Database of 30,000 Courses
Queen's University Belfast: International Relations
| Institution | Queen's University Belfast View institution profile |
|---|---|
| Department | School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics |
| Web | https://www.qub.ac.uk/ |
| askahss@qub.ac.uk | |
| Study type | Taught |
Summary
Why do states behave the way they do? Why do wars happen and when do they start? What is the role of the United Nations and is it effective in promoting and maintaining global peace and security? How do terrorist organisations influence decision making? Such questions and others are at the core of this program, which provides a foundation in the academic discipline of International Relations - the array of ‘real world’ practices and problems that produce world politics.
Having introduced the theoretical and methodological components which facilitate our study of the field, we use these tools to examine, explain, and understand the issues and processes that make up our world: looking, for example, at war; diplomacy; arms control and arms proliferation; global health policy; humanitarian intervention; international development policy; race and legacies of colonialism; human displacement; inequality and injustice. While still attending closely and consistently to traditional issues of world politics the program offers a significantly broader education in international politics by examining contemporary issues of international politics from a multitude of perspectives, both traditional and more critical.
Throughout the program, students are able to balance engagement with core content in the field of International Relations with active development of their own areas of specialisation as they choose elective courses according to their own interests. Among the central aims of the programme is the provision of high-quality methodological and research design training needed to conduct independent research projects to an academically accredited standard. This culminates in the final dissertation stage of the programme. Recent students' dissertation topics have included: Jihadi use of social media; Russian foreign and security policy after the Ukraine conflict; Extreme right-wing terrorism and the internet; Russian private military actors; EU defence policy after BREXIT; Baltic security and the future of NATO; Paramilitarism and the Northern Irish border; Indian defence and security in relation to rising China; The limits of ‘truth and reconciliation’ in conflict resolution and more.
This programme equips students to examine, question, understand and explain global issues which affect the world around us, from security and terrorism, migration and mobility, to global financial crises.
MA
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | Normally a 2.2 Honours degree or above, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in a Social Sciences, Humanities or Arts related discipline, or a 2.2 Honours degree or above, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in any subject with relevant professional experience. Applicants who do not meet this entry requirement may, at the discretion of the relevant programme convenor be considered for admission on the basis of relevant work experience and/ or an assessed piece of work. The University's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy provides guidance on the assessment of experiential learning (RPEL). Please visit http://go.qub.ac.uk/RPLpolicyQUB for more information. |
| Location | Main Site University Road Belfast BT7 1NN |
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | Normally a 2.2 Honours degree or above, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in a Social Sciences, Humanities or Arts related discipline, or a 2.2 Honours degree or above, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in any subject with relevant professional experience. Applicants who do not meet this entry requirement may, at the discretion of the relevant programme convenor be considered for admission on the basis of relevant work experience and/ or an assessed piece of work. The University's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy provides guidance on the assessment of experiential learning (RPEL). Please visit http://go.qub.ac.uk/RPLpolicyQUB for more information. |
| Location | Main Site University Road Belfast BT7 1NN |
Postgraduate Diploma - PgDip
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | Normally a 2.2 Honours degree or above, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in a Social Sciences, Humanities or Arts related discipline, or a 2.2 Honours degree or above, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in any subject with relevant professional experience. Applicants who do not meet this entry requirement may, at the discretion of the relevant programme convenor be considered for admission on the basis of relevant work experience and/ or an assessed piece of work. The University's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy provides guidance on the assessment of experiential learning (RPEL). Please visit http://go.qub.ac.uk/RPLpolicyQUB for more information. |
| Location | Main Site University Road Belfast BT7 1NN |
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | Normally a 2.2 Honours degree or above, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in a Social Sciences, Humanities or Arts related discipline, or a 2.2 Honours degree or above, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in any subject with relevant professional experience. Applicants who do not meet this entry requirement may, at the discretion of the relevant programme convenor be considered for admission on the basis of relevant work experience and/ or an assessed piece of work. The University's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy provides guidance on the assessment of experiential learning (RPEL). Please visit http://go.qub.ac.uk/RPLpolicyQUB for more information. |
| Location | Main Site University Road Belfast BT7 1NN |
Queen's University Belfast, ranked in the top 200 in the world (QS World University Rankings 2026) is based in Belfast, at the heart of Northern Ireland.
Founded in 1845 as Queen's College Belfast it became an independent university in 1908 and is the ninth oldest university in the UK. Today, Queen’s University Belfast is a member of the Russell Group, combining excellence in research and education with a student-centred ethos.
Queen’s is ranked 6th in the world for international outlook (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025) and 13th in the UK for research intensity (Complete …
View ProfileNot what you are looking for?
Browse other courses in Social sciences, Politics or International relations, or search our comprehensive database of postgrad programs.Postgraduate Bursary Opportunity with Postgrad.com
Are you studying as a PG student at the moment or have you recently been accepted on a postgraduate program? Apply now for one of our £2000 PGS bursaries.
Click here