International Relations MA Welcome Pack

Welcome to MA International Relations 2024.

The course itself consists of three ‘terms’ or ‘trimesters’ which run from 1) September to January; 2) February to May; 3) June to September.

The main teaching will occur in the first two trimesters (Sept to May). The third trimester is reserved for a final taught module and for the supervision and writing of your MA dissertation.

Each year, depending on the staff available, we select eight modules which you will study. Some will be taught across 7 weeks (3 hours per session) and others across 14 weeks (again, 3 hours per session). 7 week ‘modules’ are valued at 10 credits and 14 weeks modules at 20 credits.

The dissertation is valued at 60 credits. To gain the MA degree award, you need to complete successfully 180 credits.

The academic structure of the Course is:

Autumn  – trimester 1 (2024)

• IRD M025 – International Relations Theory (20 credits)
• IRD M047  – Politics of Post-Soviet Space (10 credits)
• IRD M079 – Major Organisations in the International Order (20 credits)
• IRD M081 – International Politics of the Middle East (10 credits)

Spring – trimester 2 (2025)

• IRD M030 – European Integration (10 credits)
• IRD M082 – America After 9/11 (20 credits)
• IRD M083 – Politics of Sub-Saharan Africa (20 credits)

Summer – Trimester 3 (2025)

• IRD M033 – Peoples Republic of China: Foreign Policy (10 credits)
•  IRDM084 – Research methods training & Dissertation (15,000 words) (60 credits). Submission late Sept/Early Oct 2025

I know that some of you may be a little delayed in starting as you need to finalise your visas and other arrangements. Do not worry, this will present no problems. We will enable you to have ‘catch-up’ sessions with the relevant tutors.

Your Programme Leader

Graham McBeath

Senior Lecturer in Politics
graham.mcbeath@northampton.ac.uk