Politics and International Relations at UEA
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Find out moreMA International Security
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Arts
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- September 2026
Other Start Dates
Other Start Dates
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Why you should choose us
Course Overview
Today's security landscape extends far beyond traditional military concerns, creating unprecedented challenges—and opportunities—for security professionals.
Our MA in International Security provides a sophisticated understanding of contemporary security challenges while developing the analytical capabilities essential for careers in this critical field. You'll explore the transformation of security studies since the Cold War, examining both traditional concerns like strategy and interstate conflict alongside emerging issues such as environmental security, gender dimensions, transnational crime, and migration governance.
What distinguishes our programme is its balance of theoretical depth and practical application. You'll master key security theories while developing professional skills through innovative teaching methods—including simulated scenarios, policy exercises, and collaborative projects addressing real-world challenges. This approach bridges academic understanding with the practical capabilities valued across security-focused careers.
The curriculum offers flexibility to pursue your specific interests through optional modules, culminating in an independent dissertation supervised by experts in your chosen specialisation. Our extensive connections with policy institutions enhance your professional development through research assistantships within the school and external opportunities with partner organisations. Recent students collaborated with the European Institute for Asian Studies in Brussels, producing published policy briefs and opinion pieces—experience that significantly strengthens career prospects.
Whether you aspire to work in intelligence services, diplomatic corps, international organisations, NGOs, journalism, or corporate risk assessment, our programme provides the analytical frameworks, methodological tools, and professional networks to launch your career in the dynamic field of international security.
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Study and Modules
Structure
Our MA in International Security offers a carefully designed journey through the complex world of contemporary security challenges. This one-year programme delivers a stimulating blend of theoretical depth and practical application through interactive lectures, small-group seminars, and innovative workshops.
In the first semester, you'll establish essential foundations through core modules in international relations theory, providing conceptual frameworks to analyse security dynamics even if you have no previous background in these areas. Alongside theoretical understanding, you'll develop robust research capabilities through our social enquiry methods module, mastering techniques such as interview methods, survey design, and data analysis that prepare you for independent research.
A distinctive feature of your first semester is our simulation-based module on diplomacy and military strategy. Through immersive scenarios, you'll experience firsthand the strategic dilemmas facing decision-makers, developing a nuanced understanding of conflict dynamics, deterrence theory, and crisis management that goes beyond textbook learning.
The second semester deepens your specialisation, tracing the evolution of the field from traditional strategic studies to today's comprehensive approach. You'll critically examine contemporary security challenges—from new forms of warfare and humanitarian interventions to non-traditional threats like pandemics, transnational crime, and terrorism—while developing sophisticated analytical frameworks.
Throughout both semesters, optional modules allow you to explore specific security dimensions aligned with your interests and career aspirations, from regional security complexes to thematic challenges like cybersecurity or environmental threats.
Your MA culminates in the dissertation—a substantial independent research project conducted over the summer months. With guidance from an academic supervisor whose expertise matches your research area, you'll investigate a compelling security question of your choice, demonstrating the analytical capabilities and research skills developed throughout the programme.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 40)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 40)Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that 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. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Our teaching is designed to encourage you to critically analyse all sources and develop your ability to engage in informed debates. We place significant emphasis on enabling you to advance your opinions in an academically grounded manner.
The department comprises expert academic staff who actively engage with research in the field. This means that you’ll be taught by experts in international relations theory and international security studies. Our teaching is research-led, asking the same questions of our students as we do in our research. This means you can be sure your learning is at the cutting-edge of the discipline.
We take an interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary approach to our work, linking theory to practice, to create a distinctive programme of research. This has given us a strong international reputation for research in a wide variety of areas, including international relations, international security, human rights, Britain, the EU, Japan and the Asia-Pacific, the US, public administration and public policy, political theory, and political rhetoric.
Independent study
Learning how to study and research independently, and how to present your work, are important skills that you’ll gain during this postgraduate degree. You’ll develop and hone these abilities from your first week with us, and you’ll build on them as you progress through the degree to your final dissertation.
How you'll spend your time during semester one and two:
- Teaching: 25%
- Independent Learning: 75%
Whilst writing your dissertation, you’ll meet regularly with your supervisor.
Assessment
Our MA employs diverse assessment methods reflecting the multifaceted demands of security careers. You'll craft policy briefs analysing emerging threats, develop research essays examining theoretical perspectives, deliver security briefings, and engage in simulation exercises mirroring real-world crisis management. Each assessment builds specific professional capabilities—from threat analysis and evidence evaluation to clear communication of complex security challenges. We emphasise practical outputs valued in the field, including intelligence assessments, scenario planning documents, and policy recommendations.
Formative feedback opportunities throughout the programme allow you to refine your analytical approach before final submission, while individual guidance helps you develop a dissertation that showcases your research capabilities and subject expertise. This carefully designed assessment approach ensures you graduate with both academic excellence and professional competencies valued across the security sector.
Employability
After the Course
In today's global environment, expertise in security challenges creates pathways to impactful careers across diverse sectors. Our graduates excel in intelligence services, diplomatic corps, defense ministries, international organisations (including the UN, NATO, and EU), think tanks, NGOs, journalism, and corporate security roles. The analytical capabilities, threat assessment skills, and strategic thinking you'll develop through our programme are highly valued competencies in organisations addressing contemporary security challenges.
Beyond academic excellence, we prioritise your professional development through dedicated career support. Working alongside UEA's Careers Service and our school's employability director, you'll access tailored guidance for security sector roles, networking opportunities with practitioners, and potential internship placements with partner organisations. This comprehensive approach ensures you graduate not just with theoretical knowledge, but with the professional connections and practical experience to launch a rewarding career in the dynamic field of international security.
Careers
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- political/policy analyst
- programme/development officer
- risk analyst
- civil servant
- journalist
- management positions in international organisations, NGOs, government, media, and academia
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
This course is open to UK and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Any subject area
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
This course is open to UK and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.2 or equivalent
Degree Subject
Any subject area
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 6.0 overall with minimum 5.5 in each component.
Test dates should be within 2 years of the course start date.
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not meet the English language requirements for this course, our UEA International Study Centre offers a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.
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- UEA International Study Centre
If you do not meet the academic requirements for this course, you may be able to study the International Pre-Masters programme offered by our partner UEA International Study Centre. This programme guarantees progression to selected Master's degrees if students achieve the appropriate grade. For more details, please click here:
International Pre-Masters in Business, Economics and Social Sciences
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2026/27 are:
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UK Students: £11,200
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International Students: £23,850
We estimate living expenses at £1,136 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.
How to Apply
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.