This programme aims enable you to examine, explain and understand global issues which affects the world around us, from security and terrorism, migration and mobility, to global financial crises.

The diploma provides a foundation in the academic discipline of International Relations and the array of ‘real world’ practices and problems that produce world politics: looking for example, at diplomacy, arms control and arms proliferation, global health policy, humanitarian intervention and international development policy. While attending closely and consistently to issues to armed conflict, it is thus offers a significantly broader education in international politics.

The programme allows you to gain a comprehensive understanding of the deep structures that constitute world order, and the pressing contemporary issues that we face, such as armed conflict, human displacement, inequality and injustice. As such, it offers a balance between covering core content in the field of International Relations while allowing students to actively develop an area of specialism as they progress.

To show the breadth of issues that are studied here are some examples of our recent students' dissertation topics: Terrorism, Climate Change, Nuclear proliferation, Development, Global poverty, Rape as a war crime, International trade, Arms control, HIV/Global pandemics, Refugees, Diplomacy, Humanitarian intervention, War, Global governance, Natural disasters, Financial crisis, Peace-keeping, Religion, Organised crime, Security, Ethnic violence, Indigenous Politics, Policing & militarization, Irregular migration, Gender in Global Politics.

Other previous topics have also been researched: 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.

Normally a 2.2 Honours degree (minimum 57%) or above, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in a Social Sciences, Humanities or Arts related discipline, or a 2.2 Honours degree (minimum 57%) 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.