How to apply

Overview

The details

Course: International Relations

Start date: October 2024

Study mode: Full-time

Maximum duration: 2 years

Location: Colchester Campus

Based in: Government

We live in an increasingly interconnected and globalised world where events that unfold on other continents can affect our lives very quickly. Sometimes politicians are able to work together in a search for solutions but disagreement, and even the possibility of conflict, never seems far away.

Our MRes International Relations is a two-year course, designed to give you additional training in research design and research methods compared to an MSc or MA. You study modules on international relations and research methods across your two years, while developing a 35,000-word dissertation.

You are familiarised with the theories and conceptual tools used to analyse world politics, and explore how different theories and conceptual tools speak to contemporary debates and events. You also take modules on topics including:

Forecasting global trends
International security
The analysis of conflict and peace
Research methods
Research design
Political theory

Our MRes International Relations offers excellent preparation for PhD research in this field, covering all aspects of international relations with additional training in research design and research methods. You learn how to develop theories, conduct research, and explore the empirical implications of theoretical models using the most appropriate empirical methods.

Our Department of Government is one of the most prestigious in Europe, with an outstanding record of teaching, research and publication. We are 6th in UK for research power in politics and international studies (Times Higher Education research power measure, Research Excellence Framework 2021).

Why we're great.

We are 6th in UK for research power in politics and international studies (Times Higher Education research power measure, Research Excellence Framework 2021)
We’re 16th in the UK for International Relations in the Guardian University Guide 2024.
We are the only political science department to receive the prestigious Regius Professorship

Our expert staff

Some of the biggest names in the field work at Essex, giving you unparalleled access to some of the best minds in politics.

Our key academic staff for this course include:

Dr. Zorzeta Bakaki, who explores international organisations and environmental politics
Professor Tobias Böhmelt, who researches mediation and security implications of migration
Professor Han Dorussen and Professor Ismene Gizelis, who jointly work on peacekeeping and post-conflict reconstruction
Dr Alexandra Hennessy, who focuses her work on European Integration
Professor Kristian Gleditsch, an expert in inequality, conflict and violence
Dr Martin Steinwand, who researches aid and conflict

Specialist facilities

Laboratories of networked computers featuring extensive software for political analysis
The ESSEXLab provides opportunities for experimental lab research
Student societies for politics, debating, and Model UN
We organise the Essex Summer School in Social Science Data Analysis
A programme of seminars and events run by the department

Your future

An MRes puts you in a particularly strong position to succeed in a research degree. We offer supervision for PhD and MPhil in the following fields: government; ideology and discourse analysis; international relations; political behaviour; and politics.

Our academic reputation is illustrated by the fact that many of our graduates have gone on to academic and research focused careers as post doctorates and staff in Universities around the UK and EU.

Other recent graduates have gone on to work for the following high-profile organisations:

The Civil Service
Local government
The World Bank
The United Nations
NATO
YouGov and YouGov America

We also work with the university’s Employability and Careers Centre to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.

Entry requirements

UK entry requirements

A 2.2 degree in Political Science, International Relations, International Studies, American Studies, United States Politics, Economics, Finance, Statistics or Political Studies.

A 2.2 degree in any subject which includes study in two relevant modules. Relevant modules include, but are not limited to:

Comparative Political Systems
Constitutional Democracy
Contemporary World Affairs
Current Affairs
Democratic Theory
Econometrics
European Integration/Dynamics of Integration
Foreign Policy/Comparative Foreign Policy
Game Theory
Governmental Processes/Systems
Human Rights
Ideology and Political Analysis
International Economics Law
International Economics Relations
International Trade/Business Law
International Law
International Public Relations
International Security
Law of Armed Conflict
Micro/Macro Economics
Peace Studies
Philosophy(MA Political Theory only)
Political Conflict
Political Decision Making
Political Economy
Political Sociology
Political Studies
Public Administration
Public International Law
Public Policy Analysis
Quantitative Reasoning
Security Studies
Strategic Studies
Terrorism
Theories of Development

We will also consider applicants with a degree in an unrelated subject and have at least 5 years' work experience such as working with a NGO.

International & EU entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please select your country page where you'll find this information.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum component score of 5.5

If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.

Additional Notes

The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.

Structure

Course structure

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The following modules are based on the current course structure and may change in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, or in response to COVID-19, we’ll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Components and modules explained

Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.

Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.

Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

100

The department or school the module will be taught by.

In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.

The module number.

The UK academic level of the module.

A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course.

A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules.

A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.

The term the module will be taught in.

AU: Autumn term
SP: Spring term
SU: Summer term
FY: Full year
AP: Autumn and Spring terms
PS: Spring and Summer terms
AS: Autumn and Summer terms

COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY

Theories of International Relations

(15 CREDITS)

This module provides you with a graduate-level introduction to both foundational and contemporary international relations research. The emphasis will be on evaluating arguments, understanding the development of the field, and identifying unresolved questions.

View Theories of International Relations on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY WITH OPTIONS

(15 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 03: COMPULSORY

Research Design

(15 CREDITS)

In this module you gain an overview of the logic of social science research designs that includes the goals, theories and strategies of social science research, and develop a research agenda for potential use as publication in a peer reviewed journal, MA or PhD dissertation.

View Research Design on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY WITH OPTIONS

(15 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY WITH OPTIONS

(15 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 06: OPTIONAL

(45 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 07: COMPULSORY WITH OPTIONS

(30 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 08: COMPULSORY WITH OPTIONS

(30 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 01: OPTIONAL

(15 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 02: OPTIONAL

(15 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 03: COMPULSORY

Applied Research Design

(15 CREDITS)

You replicate an already published paper to better understand the details of the empirical analysis, assess its robustness, and develop the paper in a new direction by changing one element. For example, include a new control variable, introduce an interaction term, or extend the time period or the sample size.

View Applied Research Design on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 04: OPTIONAL

(45 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 05: CORE

MRES Dissertation

(90 CREDITS)

Your dissertation gives you an opportunity for independent learning on a topic of your choice, with one-to-one supervision from a member of staff. You write a dissertation of up to 35,000 words, which is due at the end of your second year.

View MRES Dissertation on our Module Directory

Teaching

Courses are designed to provide you with an advanced understanding of either the politics of a geographical area or an aspect of the discipline
Courses include both compulsory and optional modules, so the course can be tailored to fit your interests and aspirations
Learn through discussion and problem-solving
Lab sessions allow you to improve your technical research skills
We encourage students to attend national conferences to meet researchers and discuss their work

Assessment

Your coursework comes in the form of essays, simulations, presentations and in-class tests

Dissertation

You are given guidance on how to prepare a Masters dissertation by our Graduate Director in the spring term
We link you with an appropriate supervisor at the earliest opportunity

Fees and funding

Home/UK fee

£10,000 per year

International fee

£21,700 per year

Fees will increase for each academic year of study.

Masters fees and funding information

Research (e.g. PhD) fees and funding information

What's next

We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Colchester Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:

tour our campus and accommodation
find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
meet our students and staff

If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing tours@essex.ac.uk and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.

2024 Open Days (Colchester Campus)

Saturday, January 20, 2024

Find out more

You can apply for this postgraduate course online. Before you apply, please check our information about necessary documents that we’ll ask you to provide as part of your application.

We aim to respond to applications within two weeks. If we are able to offer you a place, you will be contacted via email.

For information on our deadline to apply for this course, please see our ‘how to apply’ information.

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