International Relations (Taught)

The Masters in International Relations is designed for those interested in study of the most challenging problems our world currently faces, such as international conflict and instability, terrorism, climate change, or rapid globalisation. Building on a thorough understanding of international relations theory, it trains you in how to apply and leverage methods and research design to answer the most pressing societal questions of our time.

WHY THIS PROGRAMME

• This programme offers comprehensive training in what international relations has to say about some of the most challenging problems in international politics and equips you with the appropriate methods and a good understanding of research design to analyse political data.

• It draws on expertise in the fields of international relations theory, normative international theory, international security, international organisations, non-state actors, human rights, humanitarian intervention, and international political economy.

• Three named pathways allow you to specialise in a particular area of international relations, and develop knowledge on specific world regions and specific themes. You can choose between the General, Global China, and Global Russia pathway.

• You will benefit from a number of research and teaching initiatives which touch on important international issues, including Global Security Roundtable, Global Security Network, Glasgow Centre for International Development, Glasgow Refugee, Asylum & Migration Network; and Glasgow Human Rights Network.

• During a 3-day study trip to Brussels you will gain first hand experience on how international relations is done in practice and get access to a highly sought after job market. Past visits have included the European Commission, the European Parliament, NATO, Scotland House, and the World Bank.

• You will gain a wide range of transferrable skills, including how to convey complex ideas and information effectively both orally and in writing, or how to analyse problems in international politics to inform the public debate. Extensive, tailored, writing, assessment and employability support is available throughout the programme.

• International Relations at Glasgow is ranked 2nd in the UK by the Guardian University Guide 2025.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
Your remaining course choices will depend on the pathway you enroll for. The programme currently runs three pathways.

Pathway A: MSc International Relations (General Pathway)
In this pathway, you will choose at least three courses:

Quantitative Data Analysis
Gender, Race and International Relations
Humanitarian Intervention: Civilian or Sovereignty
International Organizations
Conflict Analysis
International Relations and Development
Globalisation: Critical Perspectives from the Global South
Political Economy of Conflict
International Relations of the Middle East
Regional Economic Integration and Organisations (REIO)

Pathway B: MSc International Relations (Global Russia)
In this pathway, you will choose at least two courses:

Quantitative Data Analysis
De Facto States in the Post-Soviet Space
War-making and Peace-making in the former Soviet Union
Russia, China, and international politics of Eurasia
Statehood and Nationality in Russia, Central and Eastern Europe
Crime and Corruption in the Former Soviet Union
Yugoslavia and After: Themes and Controversies
Energy, politics and society in Eurasia

You will also have the option to choose:
Russian for Social Scientists Beginners Semester 2
Russian for Social Scientists Intermediate Semester 2
Russian for Social Scientists Advanced Semester 2

Pathway C: MSc International Relations (Global China)
In this pathway, you will choose at least two courses from the following:

Quantitative Data Analysis
China's International Politics
Russia, China, and international politics of Eurasia
You will also have the option to choose:
Chinese 1 (Mandarin)
Chinese 2 (Mandarin)