International Relations MSc - 2021/2

Awarding body

University of Surrey

Teaching institute

University of Surrey

Framework

FHEQ Level 7

Final award and programme/pathway title

MSc International Relations

Subsidiary award(s)

Award Title
PGDip International Relations
PGCert International Relations

Modes of study

Route code Credits and ECTS Credits
Full-time PLB61003 180 credits and 90 ECTS credits

QAA Subject benchmark statement (if applicable)

Politics and International Relations

Other internal and / or external reference points

The Programme also takes into account the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications, including qualification descriptors.

Faculty and Department / School

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences - Politics

Programme Leader

KAEDING Malte (Politics)

Date of production/revision of spec

10/09/2022

Educational aims of the programme

  • To enable students to understand and evaluate contemporary debates in the study of international relations, concerning global governance and/or terrorism and security and international intervention.
  • To deepen students' knowledge of theoretical aspects of international relations, including theoretical developments in the sub-fields of terrorism and security and international intervention.
  • To enable students to develop their knowledge and understanding in at least three sub-fields of international politics: students take three programme compulsory modules, two pathway compulsory modules specific to their pathway (International Relations, International Intervention), and three further modules from a list of optional modules particular to their pathway.
  • To provide students, with the opportunity, through the International Intervention pathway, to spend three months working in a field related to their degree. This will not only provide students with new insights into International Intervention but will also develop a broad array of transferable skills. Such skills include self-management and development; managing tasks; communicating effectively and clearly; working with and relating to others; the application of specialist knowledge; the application of initiative and reflecting on one's own learning outcomes.

Programme learning outcomes

Attributes Developed Awards Ref.
Critical knowledge of contemporary debates in the study of international politics, particularly in relation to the international system and global governance, differing forms of intervention in response to poverty, humanitarian crisis, abuses of human rights, state failure and armed conflict K PGCert
In-depth understanding of international structures of governance and their impact on regional, national and local structures; and of theories of international relations K PGCert
Detailed knowledge and understanding within at least two sub-fields of international politics, for example development and humanitarian assistance; peace-making; peace-keeping and peace-building; use of international legal institutions and processes; and coercive military intervention to secure regime change K PGDip, MSc
Understanding of processes of knowledge creation and contestation within international politics K PGDip, MSc
Understanding of techniques of research and enquiry and their application to the study of politics K PGDip, MSc
Analytical knowledge of contemporary debates in the study of international politics, particularly in relation to the international system and global governance, differing forms of intervention in response to poverty, humanitarian crisis, abuses of human rights, state failure and armed conflict K PGCert
A good understanding of international structures of governance and their impact on regional, national and local structures; and of theories of international relations K PGCert
Detailed knowledge and understanding within at least one sub-field of international politics, for example development and humanitarian assistance; peace-making; peace-keeping and peace-building; use of international legal institutions and processes; and coercive military intervention to secure regime change K PGCert
Understanding of processes of knowledge creation and contestation within international politics K PGCert
Understanding of techniques of research and enquiry and their application to the study of politics K PGCert
Gather, organise and deploy evidence and information from a range of different sources C PGDip, MSc
Analyse and synthesise a wide range of material in verbal and numerical formats C PGDip, MSc
Deal with complex issues systematically and creatively C PGDip, MSc
Make sound judgements on the basis of incomplete evidence C PGDip, MSc
Demonstrate self-direction and originality in solving problems and analysing evidence C PGDip, MSc
Construct reasoned argument C PGDip, MSc
Apply theoretical frameworks to empirical analysis C PGDip, MSc
Gather, organise and deploy evidence and information from a range of different sources C PGCert
Analyse and synthesise a wide range of material in verbal and numerical formats C PGCert
Deal with complex issues systematically C PGCert
Make sound judgements on the basis of incomplete evidence C PGCert
Demonstrate self-direction and originality in solving problems and analysing evidence C PGCert
Construct reasoned argument C PGCert
Apply theoretical frameworks to empirical analysis C PGCert
Make appropriate use of information and communications technology P MSc
Carry out an advanced literature search P MSc
Form effective arguments P MSc
Organise own workload to meet deadlines P MSc
Formulate research questions P MSc
Design and conduct a research project, selecting appropriate methods of data collection and analysis P MSc
Design and pilot questionnaires P MSc
Design and conduct interviews P MSc
Use software packages to analyse qualitative and quantitative data P MSc
Present research findings orally and in writing P PGDip, MSc
Make appropriate use of information and communications technology P PGDip
Form effective arguments P PGDip
Organise own workload to meet deadlines P PGDip
Formulate research questions P PGDip
Use software packages to analyse qualitative and quantitative data P PGDip
Present research findings orally and in writing P PGDip
Make appropriate use of information and communications technology P PGCert
Form effective arguments P PGCert
Organise own workload to meet deadlines P PGCert
Formulate research questions P PGCert
Use software packages to analyse qualitative and quantitative data P PGCert
Present research findings orally and in writing P PGCert
Communicate and present ideas effectively T PGDip, MSc
Reason critically T PGDip, MSc
Use information and communication technology for the retrieval and presentation of material T PGDip, MSc
Organise and plan their own work T PGDip, MSc
Adopt a proactive approach to problem-solving T PGDip, MSc
Collaborate with others to achieve common goals T PGDip, MSc
Deploy a range of relevant research skills T PGDip, MSc
Make decisions in complex situations T PGDip, MSc
Take responsibility for their own learning T PGDip, MSc
Communicate and present ideas effectively T PGCert
Reason analytically T PGCert
Use information and communication technology for the retrieval and presentation of material T PGCert
Organise and plan their own work T PGCert
Adopt a proactive approach to problem-solving T PGCert
Collaborate with others to achieve common goals T PGCert
Deploy some relevant research skills T PGCert
Make decisions in complex situations T PGCert
Take responsibility for their own learning T PGCert

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Programme structure

Full-time

This Master's Degree programme is studied full-time over one academic year, consisting of 180 credits at FHEQ level 7. All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
- Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)

Programme Adjustments (if applicable)

N/A

Modules

Opportunities for placements / work related learning / collaborative activity

Associate Tutor(s) / Guest Speakers / Visiting Academics N
Professional Training Year (PTY) N
Placement(s) (study or work that are not part of PTY) N
Clinical Placement(s) (that are not part of the PTY scheme) N
Study exchange (Level 5) N
Dual degree N

Quality assurance

The Regulations and Codes of Practice for taught programmes can be found at:

https://www.surrey.ac.uk/quality-enhancement-standards

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2021/2 academic year.