Overview
International relations is an area of politics that largely focuses on how two or more nations interact with each other. As an introduction to the course you will study the evolution of international relations theory – for example how international relations relates to problems of anarchy, sovereignty, order, justice and solutions.
Early on in the course, you will have a choice between two topics: International Security which will look at the main concepts and models within the subject as well as its issues and policies, or International Political Economy which considers topics like globalisation, financial liberation and economic growth.
Once your knowledge, understanding and analytical skills have grown in international relations, you will choose a further two additional optional modules which cover democracy, migrant law, post-war world affairs, security in the middle east, and geopolitics. Finally, a research project of your choice under the guidance of a dissertation supervisor completes the course.
In keeping with the importance Brunel places on getting you ready for work, this degree includes the rare option of a work placement – 6-12 weeks of professional practice that takes place between May and September in an organisation with an international dimension to its mission.
Other opportunities to network and build knowledge include the option to take up membership with Chatham House, the leading British think tank on international affairs. Benefits include access to library and archive materials as well as regular events.
In fact, Brunel’s proximity to central London’s world-class research facilities, Westminster and Whitehall means you couldn’t be better placed to immerse yourself in an established political area.
Graduates of the International Relations MA, go to pursue careers in a wide range of organisations, including government, international institutions, non-governmental organisations, business, research institutes and security, or further study at doctoral level.
"At an Open Day, I met some superb minds who encouraged me to come to Brunel. I felt comfortable, even though I would be more than 40 years older than most new students" - Dr John Matlin .
"At an Open Day, I met some superb minds who encouraged me to come to Brunel. I felt comfortable, even though I would be more than 40 years older than most new students" - Dr John Matlin .
You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.
Course content
Your studies are built around a foundation of compulsory modules with a range of optional modules to choose from within the subject. To complete your MA, you will undertake a substantial piece of written research in a topic of your choice under the guidance of a dissertation supervisor.
Compulsory
- PP5563 - Evolution of International RelationsTo provide students with a systematic and critical understanding of the main theoretical and epistemological developments in the subject of International Relations through the application of IR theory to a range of constitutive problems in the subject area. Students who successfully complete this module will be able to authoritatively engage in the main theoretical debates within the field of International Relations. .
- PP5608 - Dissertation and Research Skills in International RelationsThe dissertation is the element of assessment that demonstrates Masters level academic competence in the field of International Relations and of professional potential. It requires the student to apply knowledge and analytical skills developed in the course as a whole to a specific research area/problem of personal and subject interest.
Optional
- PP5603 - International SecurityThe module aims to introduce students to major theoretical concepts and approaches within the field of Security Studies. It will also enables students to apply and critically evaluate the utility of these concepts and models for understanding security.
- PP5606 - International Political EconomyThe first aim of this module is to ensure that students achieve a comprehensive understanding of the main concepts, debates and theories in the study of international political economy (IPE). The module will also familiarise students with several of the principal issues in the global economy that are covered in the IPE literature.
- PP5607 - China and Contemporary GeopoliticsIn this module students will critically examine China's changing role in the international system and analyse China's relations with regional actors. To promote a better understanding of China's position with regard to major international actors.
- PX5609 - The United States in World Affairs, 1945-2001In this module students will analyse the historiography of US diplomatic, political, economic and military interactions with the world. and examine and assess key documents providing evidence of these interactions. It will also give students the opportnity to explore the key domestic and international issues that shaped the activities of the U.S. as a projector of ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ global power in the ‘American half-century’.
- PP5609 - Middle East SecurityThis module introduces students to the key security issues in Middle East (borders, energy and water resources, terrorism, ethnic minorities, and regime stability). Students will examine the contemporary regional security developments in Middle East and gain a general understanding and hands on experience on security and threat analysis methods and production.
- PX5606 - Democracy and InterventionThe aim of this module is to provide students with a systematic, critical, theoretical and empirical knowledge of the debates and issues pertaining to the military interventionism of liberal states, particularly the UK and the USA. The module also focuses on the post-Cold War period but in light of a wider historical context.
- LX5553 - The Migrant, The State and the LawThis module aims to provide a critical and theoretical overview of the central features of migration and refugee law and policy. You will assess the legal and political processes behind the construction of ‘the migrant’ and ‘the refugee’ as ‘others’ in relation to ‘the state’. You will also examine formulation, implementation and enforcement of refugee and migration law and policy at the international, regional and state level.
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This course has a placement option. Find out more about work placements available.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Read more about the structure of postgraduate degrees at Brunel
Careers and your future
Our students have had great success in seeking employment once they have completed their course. Many have come from, and then continue to work for, government agencies in the UK and abroad — we have taught police, military, and other government officials from the United States, Canada, Switzerland, Finland, Norway, Belgium, Turkey, Japan, Jordan, the Philippines, Brunei, Thailand, Indonesia, Korea, Botswana and several other nations beside.
Within the UK, students with no service experience have gone on to work for the British Security Service, the Metropolitan Police Counter-Terrorism Centres, the Serious Organised Crime Agency, and other departments of government. Many students have noted to us that the innovative studies they undertook on our programme were important topics of discussion in their interviews. Those already in Government employment have successfully used their MAs to leverage promotion or commissioning.
Students who have sought work in the private sector have likewise had success. Former MAISS students have gone to work for large banks conducting market analysis, to large oil-industry firms, to large consultancies such as McKinsey & Co, to specialist private analysis firms such as MS Risk and cyber security firm Digital Shadows.
UK entry requirements
- A 2:2 (or above) UK Honours degree, or equivalent internationally recognised qualification, in a essay-based subject (Social Science, History, Law, Humanities, Geography, English Literature) with personal statement showing interest and background knowledge and 3 months relevant work experience.
- Applicants with a 2:2 in a non-related subject in which essays are not a core mode of assessment (e.g. maths, natural sciences) will be considered on an individual basis.
EU and International entry requirements
If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list. This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.
English language requirements
- IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
- Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
- BrunELT: 63% (min 58% in all areas)
- TOEFL: 90 (min 20 in all)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.
Fees and funding
2025/26 entry
UK
£12,125 full-time
£6,060 part-time
International
£24,795 full-time
£12,395 part-time
More information on any additional course-related costs.
Fees quoted are per year and are subject to an annual increase.
See our fees and funding page for full details of postgraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.
Scholarships and bursaries
Teaching and learning
You'll be taught by world leading experts in your field of study, and have the opportunity to interact with fellow students on London’s leading campus University.
Your programme will consist of various learning and studying activities, including lectures, seminars and discussions. On each taught module students will have in person lectures, seminars or workshops for two-to-three hours per week on average during the teaching terms. There will also be supervision sessions for the dissertation, as well as regular opportunities to seek guidance during module lecturers’ feedback and consultation hours. Additionally, students can seek support in individual meetings with their personal tutors, both on campus and online. There will also be regular cohort meetings and student society events, at both programme and departmental level. Field trips and excursions to support students’ learning will be organised throughout the year.
All lectures, seminars, cohort meetings and other social activities will occur in person on the Brunel campus. It is expected that students will regularly attend these events, as sustained engagement with a learning community is a central dimension of the Brunel experience. Online provision of some activities will be made available when it is appropriate to the learning outcomes of your programme.
Students are strongly advised to purchase core texts from module reading lists, although copies are also available via Brunel Library.
Access to a laptop or desktop PC is required for joining online activities, completing coursework and digital exams, and a minimum specification can be found here.
We have computers available across campus for your use and laptop loan schemes to support you through your studies. You can find out more here.
You'll be taught by experts in politics, international relations, public policy and contemporary history, including Dr John MacMillan, Course Director and Senior Lecturer in International Relations whose interests include the interdisciplinary nature of the subject and how it relates other disciplines like Law, Political Economy or Political Theory.
You'll learn through a combination of lectures (main classes) and seminars (smaller classes that encourage debate and exchange) and through directed reading. You'll also learn from like-minded classmates who come to study at Brunel from across the globe.
Should you need any non-academic support during your time at Brunel, the Student Support and Welfare Team are here to help.
Assessment and feedback
Assessments are combination of individual written assignments and exams and which vary between modules. You will also be required to submit a dissertation on a topic of your choosing.
Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.