Politics & International Relations

If you choose the International Relations programme, you’ll spend your time diving into how power actually works – from the machinery of governments to the shifting dynamics of global geopolitics.

You’ll examine how political institutions shape societies, how values and resources are distributed, and why decisions made in one capital ripple across the world. The programme gradually sharpens your ability to read critically, argue confidently, and challenge ideas rather than just memorise them.

A big part of the learning happens through diplomatic simulations. These sessions train you to build strong arguments, work under pressure, and collaborate within a team – while showing you how to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios. It’s a space where you get to test your thinking, negotiate, and understand how global politics operates behind the scenes.

The annual tuition fee is 20,800 €, and it covers everything required for the academic year. This includes all course registrations, tuition and standard study materials, unlimited access to the Blackboard Learning Platform, full use of the library, visa and immigration support, and round-the-clock student assistance. The total yearly fee is 20,800 €, with no additional compulsory charges.

Early Payment Benefit

Students who complete their tuition payment before 15 May are eligible for a reduced rate. Paying for the full academic year in advance offers a 15% discount, while paying for a single semester in advance offers a 10% discount. These reductions apply exclusively to payments made before the deadline.

Course Registration & Responsibilities

Course registration takes place during the first week of each semester. If you choose not to attend later in the term, your financial and academic responsibilities for the courses in which you are already enrolled remain unchanged. Any course you wish to drop must be formally de-registered through Student Services. Students are also responsible for familiarising themselves with all university policies and regulations as published.

We process applications on an ongoing basis under our Rolling Admission policy, which means your file is reviewed as soon as it is submitted.

Entry Requirements

To apply, you will need to provide a copy of your passport or national ID, a recent passport-sized digital photograph, your High School Certificate and full Grade Transcripts (officially translated into English or Spanish), a Statement of Purpose of at least 500 words explaining why you wish to study at MIUC and what you expect from the programme, two Letters of Recommendation, and a current curriculum vitae.

Applicants aged 21 or over who do not hold the standard qualifications are still encouraged to submit an application if they have relevant work experience. These cases are assessed individually.

Students wishing to enter directly into Level 5 (the second year) must demonstrate appropriate knowledge and experience; for example, holding 120 undergraduate credits at Level 4 or a CertHE in a related subject.

Entry into Level 6 (the third year) requires evidence of more advanced standing, such as 240 undergraduate credits across Levels 4 and 5, or a DipHE, Foundation Degree, or HND in a relevant field.

You are eligible to apply if you have completed your secondary education. If you have already completed part of a degree at another university or accredited institution, you may request a credit transfer.

English Language Requirements

Applicants who have not previously studied in an English-speaking school or country must provide proof of English proficiency. Accepted tests include IELTS with a minimum overall score of 6.0 (and no component below 5.5), TOEFL iBT with a minimum score of 88, the Cambridge Certificate at B2 level, or a pass in the MIUC English Test.

Important Information for International Students

In line with current Spanish immigration guidelines, international students are required to apply for their student visa at least two months before the start of their course.

Autumn Semester

Modern Political Thought

Explore the key thinkers and debates that have shaped Western political philosophy, from Plato and Aristotle to Machiavelli, Hobbes, and Locke, through the Enlightenment and into the 19th and 20th centuries. This module traces the rise of major ideologies – liberalism, conservatism, socialism, anarchism, nationalism, fascism, and communism – while examining the social and economic forces behind them. You’ll also study theories of social change, learning how shifts in culture, economy, and demographics continue to influence political ideas today.

Theories of International Relations

This module provides a foundation in the major schools of thought that explain global politics. You’ll explore realism, liberalism, constructivism, Marxism, feminism, post-structuralism, and postcolonialism, analysing how they approach concepts like power, anarchy, and identity. Each theory is placed in historical context and compared to the others, giving you the tools to critically engage with contemporary debates in international relations.

Understanding Global Political Problems

Examine today’s most urgent international challenges through the lens of history and theory. Case studies cover issues such as migration, inequality, transnationalism, terrorism, populism, and climate change, as well as regional conflicts like Syria and the Arab Spring. By connecting global events to broader political dynamics, this module equips you to analyse how world politics is shaped – and reshaped – in real time.

Spring Semester

Political Systems

This module introduces you to how political systems function, how ideologies shape them, and how different countries structure power. You follow the development of representative democracy from its beginnings in Ancient Greece to the British parliamentary model, the American and French Revolutions, and the rise of the modern nation-state. You compare parliamentary and presidential systems, explore electoral models such as first-past-the-post and proportional representation, and look at how single-party or two-party systems differ from multi-party coalitions. The module also contrasts liberal democracies with hybrid regimes, monarchies, authoritarian governments, and totalitarian states. Throughout, you examine how political cultures shape the legitimacy and success of representative systems.

US Politics in an International Context

This module provides a clear understanding of how the United States operates domestically and how it projects power globally. You begin with the historical and institutional foundations of the American system and then trace how the country’s political, economic, and military role has evolved from the end of the Second World War to the present.

You study how cultural, racial, and religious dynamics influence domestic politics, and how these tensions shape policy-making. The module also examines the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches, the influence of federal agencies, and the role of corporate and civil society actors in shaping American decision-making.

Media, Culture and Society

This module explores how media, politics, and culture intersect. You look at the rise of press freedom within European liberal traditions and examine the contradictions that come with it. The module focuses on theories of media influence and how art and culture reflect – and challenge – political ideas. You investigate how cultural norms can both limit and protect media freedom, unpack the boundaries of censorship, and analyse the difference between state control and cultural self-regulation. The module also considers the political impact of digital and social media and how these platforms reshape public debate.

Autumn Semester

British and European Politics

This module builds a clear understanding of contemporary politics in Britain and across Europe. You look at how political systems operate at different levels, how national and supranational institutions interact, and how decisions made in one tier of governance shape outcomes in another. Alongside Britain’s internal dynamics, you examine the political relationships between major European states and the workings of institutions such as the European Union.

Identity Politics

This module asks you to examine how identity shapes political life. You explore key themes including gender, sexuality, race, class, nationalism, religion, ethnicity, disability, equality, and power. You also study the political movements and debates built around identity, from feminism, intersectionality, and postcolonial thought to right-wing populism, antisemitism, islamophobia, political correctness, the #MeToo movement, no-platforming, and the idea of safe spaces. The aim is to understand how identities are formed, contested, politicised, and used to mobilise social and political change.

International Institutions and Policies

Since the end of the Second World War, international organisations have become central actors in global politics. This module examines why these organisations exist, how they shape international policy, and how effective they are at addressing global challenges. By the end of the module, you will be able to explain the main theoretical approaches to international organisations, understand the debates surrounding their legitimacy and impact, and evaluate both the strengths and limitations they face in pursuing their goals.

Spring Semester

Working in Political and International Contexts

This module combines theory with hands-on experience, allowing you to test political and international relations concepts in real organisational settings. You complete at least thirty hours of experiential learning, supported by seminars that guide you through the theoretical frameworks relevant to your placement. The practical work follows a participant-observation approach, encouraging you to analyse what you see, link it to academic debate, and reflect on your professional direction. Throughout the module, you are encouraged to identify the skills valued by employers and focus on developing and demonstrating them.

The Politics of Asia, Africa and Latin America

This module examines major political issues across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, grounded in both historical context and contemporary theory. You study the relationship between the state and civil society, the dynamics of clientelism, and the influence of religion, nationalism, democracy, and authoritarianism. The role of NGOs and international interventions is explored where relevant, alongside the regional patterns that shape international relations. You also learn the tools of comparative political analysis so you can apply conceptual frameworks to current political developments across these regions.

Research Methods
This module introduces you to the challenges of conducting research in Politics and International Relations and prepares you for your final-year dissertation. You learn how to design, plan, and interpret research, while engaging with both the philosophical questions and the practical steps involved in social science inquiry. The module covers a range of research methods, the types of data they produce, and the ways that data can be analysed. By the end, you will have a clear understanding of how to formulate strong research questions and select the methodological approach best suited to answering them, along with a realistic awareness of the limitations inherent in political research.

Dissertation

In your final year, you complete an independent dissertation on a topic of your choice within Politics and International Relations. You work under the guidance of an academic supervisor, learn to frame a research question, select an appropriate methodology, and produce a substantial piece of written research that reflects your individual academic interests.

Contemporary Political Theory

This module introduces you to the research interests of the department’s academic staff and invites you to shape your learning around those themes. You explore how contemporary theoretical debates connect to current questions in politics and international relations, and how political theory responds to the issues shaping today’s world.

Conflict Resolution, Crisis Management and Diplomacy
This module focuses on the diplomatic tools and practical processes used to manage crises and resolve conflicts. You begin by examining the concepts of conflict and crisis in global politics, then trace how modern conflicts have evolved. From there, you explore the strategies, negotiations, and diplomatic mechanisms used to prevent escalation and restore stability.

Political Sociology

Political Sociology introduces you to the intersection of politics and social life. You examine classic and modern debates about power, drawing on thinkers such as Lukes and Weber, and explore how political authority interacts with institutions like the family, religion, and the media. Themes such as bureaucracy, charismatic leadership, ideology, political violence, terrorism, revolution, totalitarianism, and new social movements form the core of the module.

International Human Rights

This module traces the development of human rights thinking from early rights theories to modern international law. You explore the philosophical foundations of human rights, the impact of the UN Declaration of Human Rights, and the expansion of rights through treaties such as the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The module also looks at contemporary issues including indigenous rights, global development, and questions of social justice.