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Course description

This degree will provide you with a comprehensive analysis of contemporary international relations. By taking this course you will have the opportunity to study a range of international issues, and to investigate whether international relations in the post-Cold War period have been founded upon a Western model of 'World Order'.

The course will introduce you to differing concepts of order in the post-Cold War world. It will enable you to think critically about the nature of international relations: about the extent to which Western interests, institutions and culture dominate the world system and the challenges and responses generated by that dominance. The course focuses on both theoretical and empirical approaches to this subject.

You will complete one core module which will critically examine the means by which the West maintains its concept of 'Order' and non-Western responses to it. You can then choose three option modules, which, along with your dissertation, allow you to specialise in areas that interest you or complement your professional goals.

As well as equipping you with a detailed understanding of contemporary international relations this degree will develop your ability to think both analytically and critically and to produce reasoned arguments encompassing your increased knowledge and understanding of the issues. It will also develop your practical transferable skills, including the ability to conduct independent research, verbal and written communication, and presenting and planning.

Teaching and learning

You will be taught by seminars. Throughout the programme, you will have access to a comprehensively resourced library and an established student support system. Each module lasts for one semester (11 weeks) and normally involves two hours of teaching per week. If you are studying full-time, you will complete four modules by the end of the second semester and, if you are progressing to the MA, you will submit your dissertation by the end of September.

Careers and employability

Our postgraduate degrees are an excellent way to enhance your expertise and career prospects and provide a foundation for a wide range of career options. You may seek to use your knowledge to work in government service, international organisations or areas of political research and journalism. Or you may opt to look for employment in fields such as banking, business or teaching where your MA will be respected as a postgraduate qualification.

You may also want to consider further research after you graduate. Political Research graduates specialising in politics research find that the research skills the degree fosters are invaluable. They now occupy posts as lecturers, as research associates and as research assistants.

Students taking postgraduate degrees offered by the Politics and International Relations at Leicester have gone into careers in the civil service, business, the law, the police, banking, journalism, management consultancy, librarianship and teaching. Others have gone on to doctoral research.