MA INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
MA INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
Few issues can claim to be such a leading and ongoing preoccupation in global politics as international security. Our MA is designed to provide you with a thorough and in-depth understanding of the key theoretical and empirical debates within the field. It is a particularly exciting moment to be studying this fast-changing subject. Our degree lets you get to grips with the classic topics in International Security, such as inter-state problems relating to the military, strategy, nuclear proliferation, foreign policy, and intelligence. However, our degree also encompasses much broader contemporary issues, questions, and approaches. For instance, you’ll study maybe the most pressing security issue for everyone, wherever they are on the planet: the climate crisis. Migration, terrorism and counterterrorism likewise raise ethical questions about life and death, and who has a right to safety, protection, and survival. These urgent issues are at the heart of our teaching as we prepare you for a future in international security.
About
This course provides a comprehensive grounding in international security studies, focusing on developments since the end of the Cold War. International security issues arise within complex political, geopolitical, environmental, and social contexts, involving a broad range of state and non-state actors.
The study of security in the contemporary global politics presents a series of challenging real-world emergencies, intellectual questions, and policy dilemmas. We will show you how to consider the complex causes of these contemporary security problems. Providing you with the analytical tools to assess these processes, this MA combines the study of the main international relations and international security theories with empirical analysis of contemporary security issues. And, importantly, you’ll find solutions to the type of challenges you might face in the real world through simulated exercises.
Importantly, you will be able to tailor your learning by selecting optional modules, completing your degree with a dissertation which you’ll research and write independently on a subject of your choosing, with expert academic supervision.
We are proud to be committed to decolonising the curriculum. Mainstream approaches to security studies can start with the assumption that it is the borders of the state that define the line between “us” and “them.” But these binaries are now called into question as products of global racial hierarchies, imperial and colonial legacies, and North-South inequities. This decolonised approach, we believe, is vital in a world undergoing important shifts.

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Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the courses listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the regular review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. Changes may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will inform students.After the Course
An MA is an excellent way to set yourself apart from other graduates when it comes to securing a good job, and can also lead on to doctoral research. An understanding of international affairs is increasingly important in all kinds of careers, while our International Security programme will provide you with vital employability skills and many networking opportunities.
Recent graduates from our School have taken jobs in business, teaching, research, journalism, and many international organisations, including the UN, EU and NATO.
UEA Careers Services can provide employment advice, as well as helping you arrange internships and work placements.
Career destinations
A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.
Our MA will prepare you for careers such as:
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political/policy analyst
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programme/development officer
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risk analyst
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advocacy/outreach officer
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journalist
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management positions in international organisations, NGOs, government, media, and academia

Eastminster: a global politics and policy blog from UEA

Counter-Terrorism

The Art of Persuasion

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Assessment for Year 1
You’ll be assessed through a range of methods on this degree, including essays, project work, presentations and the dissertation.
Most of our modules include opportunities for formative assessments, which will provide you with the expert feedback you need before you submit your final work.
Assessment for Year 1
You’ll be assessed through a range of methods on this degree, including essays, project work, presentations and the dissertation.
Most of our modules include opportunities for formative assessments, which will provide you with the expert feedback you need before you submit your final work.
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. The University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors (Hons) degree - 2.1 or equivalentDegree subject
Humanities or Social Sciences such as Law, Politics, International Relations or Development Studies.Additional entry requirements
If you have alternative qualifications that have not been mentioned above then please contact university directly for further information.
Relevant work experience can be taken into account for those with a non-relevant humanities or social science degree, such as experience in diplomacy, international organisations, the military and careers in development.
If you do not meet the academic requirements for this course, you may be able to study one of the International Graduate Diploma programmes offered by our partner INTO UEA. These programmes guarantee progression to selected masters degrees if students achieve the appropriate grade. For more details please click here:
International Graduate Diploma in Business, Economics and Social Sciences
Students for whom english is a foreign language
We welcome applications from students whose first language is not English. To ensure such students benefit from postgraduate study, we require evidence of proficiency in English. Our usual entry requirements are as follows:
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IELTS: 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in two components only, with 6.0 in the other two)
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PTE (Pearson): 64 (minimum 59 in two components only with 64 in the other two)
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
Other tests, including Cambridge English exams and the Trinity Integrated Skills in English are also accepted by the university. The full list of accepted tests can be found here: Accepted English Language Tests
INTO UEA also run pre-sessional courses which can be taken prior to the start of your course. For further information and to see if you qualify please contact intopre-sessional@uea.ac.uk.
Intakes
This course is open to UK, EU and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year.

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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2023/24 are:
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UK Students: £9,500 (full time)
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International Students: £19,800 (full time)
If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home students).
We estimate living expenses at £1,023 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course related costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of other course-related costs.

Eastminster: a global politics and policy blog from UEA

Counter-Terrorism

The Art of Persuasion

WHATEVER YOU LOVE, GO FURTHER

Scholarship Finder

Will a Master's help my career?
How to Apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
FURTHER INFORMATION
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.

Eastminster: a global politics and policy blog from UEA

Counter-Terrorism

The Art of Persuasion

WHATEVER YOU LOVE, GO FURTHER

Scholarship Finder

Will a Master's help my career?

Eastminster: a global politics and policy blog from UEA

Counter-Terrorism

The Art of Persuasion

WHATEVER YOU LOVE, GO FURTHER

Scholarship Finder

Will a Master's help my career?
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