MA International Relations

Please note, we regularly review our course content to offer relevant, impactful and career-shaping learning. Therefore, the following modules are indicative and subject to change.

International Relations: Global Theory

This module explores how International Relations is evolving in a rapidly changing and interconnected world. Focusing on issues such as security, conflict, diplomacy, development, and global governance, it engages with the key theories that have shaped International Relations while examining how they are being reassessed and expanded in response to new global realities.

You will critically assess the traditional Western foundations of International Relations while exploring how diverse global perspectives enrich our understanding of world politics. The module also engages with contemporary developments such as critical security studies and emerging approaches to global affairs, helping you develop a broader and more informed perspective on International Relations today.

International Public Law

How does international law shape relations between states? What legal principles govern conflict, cooperation, human rights, and global governance? This module explores the legal foundations of the international system and examines their influence on contemporary world affairs.

You will study the key institutions, rules, and processes that underpin international relations, including state sovereignty, human rights, treaties, international organisations, dispute settlement, international courts and tribunals, humanitarian law, and the role of the United Nations. The module also explores how bodies such as the WTO and international arbitration tribunals help manage disputes and support international cooperation.

Taking a critical approach, you will examine both the strengths and limitations of international law in addressing global challenges, from humanitarian intervention and the use of force to questions of compliance and accountability in the international system. Through the analysis of contemporary cases and real-world controversies, you will learn to apply legal principles to complex international issues and develop well-reasoned solutions to legal and political disputes. By combining advanced legal theory with practical application, this module develops the analytical skills needed to navigate the legal dimensions of international affairs in an increasingly interconnected world.

International Relations Risk Assessment: Sources and Practices

In today’s complex international environment, political risk extends far beyond questions of regulation and government policy. Wars, civil unrest, cyber threats, terrorism, and geopolitical tensions increasingly shape decisions made by governments, international organisations, businesses, and NGOs around the world.

This module introduces students to the key theories, concepts, and practical tools used to assess and analyse risk in international politics. Students will explore how different types of political and security risks emerge, how they affect actors across the international system, and why risk varies between regions and over time.

Drawing on contemporary case studies, particularly from conflict and post-conflict settings, students will learn how to evaluate complex situations and develop strategies for risk prevention and mitigation. Simulations and scenario-based exercises will allow students to take on the roles of political leaders, diplomats, and policy makers, applying their knowledge to real-world challenges and developing skills that are highly valued across international affairs, diplomacy, security, and policy analysis.

International Political Economy

Global politics and economics are more interconnected than ever. Decisions made by governments, central banks, international organisations, and financial institutions can have far-reaching consequences for states, businesses, and societies around the world. This module explores the relationship between politics and economics at the global level, examining how power, policy, and markets shape international outcomes.

Students will investigate key issues in the global economy, including international trade, financial markets, globalisation, economic development, and the role of institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The module also examines the movement of capital across borders, the causes and consequences of financial crises, and the challenges posed by an increasingly interconnected global economy.

Through the study of major theories and contemporary case studies, students will develop an understanding of the complex relationships between states, markets, international institutions, and civil society. By the end of the module, students will be able to critically evaluate global economic policies, analyse responses to regional and international crises, and engage with some of the most pressing economic and political challenges facing the world today.

Dissertation

The Dissertation is the major independent research project of the MA International Relations programme, offering the opportunity to investigate a contemporary issue in international relations, global politics, security, diplomacy, or a related field in depth.

Combining research methods training with the completion of an independent study, the module enables students to design and conduct original research using real-world data and appropriate analytical approaches. Drawing on the knowledge and skills developed throughout the programme, students examine significant academic or policy-relevant questions, often linked to challenges facing governments, international organisations, NGOs, industry, or academia.

Supported by an academic supervisor, students produce a substantial piece of original research and defend their findings in a viva, demonstrating their ability to apply advanced theoretical and methodological approaches to complex international issues.

Emerging Markets (elective)

Emerging markets are playing an increasingly important role in shaping the global economy and international affairs. Rapid economic growth, demographic change, technological innovation, and shifting geopolitical influence have transformed countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East into key actors in the international system.

This module examines the opportunities and challenges associated with emerging markets in a globalised world. Students will explore the political, economic, and institutional factors that shape development and influence a country’s position in the global economy. The module also considers issues such as economic reform, governance, inequality, sustainability, innovation, and risk, as well as the growing influence of emerging powers on regional and global affairs.

Drawing on contemporary case studies, students will develop a deeper understanding of how states, institutions, and other actors respond to the opportunities and challenges presented by emerging markets, and how these dynamics are reshaping global political and economic relationships.

Globalisation, International Trade, International Cooperation (elective)

Globalisation has created unprecedented connections between countries, economies, and societies, making international cooperation more important than ever. As states confront shared challenges such as economic development, poverty reduction, climate change, public health, and security threats, effective systems of global governance play a crucial role in shaping international responses.

This module explores the relationship between globalisation, international trade, and international cooperation, examining how states and international organisations work together to address complex global issues. Particular attention is given to the roles of organisations such as the United Nations (UN), World Trade Organization (WTO), and International Monetary Fund (IMF), and their influence on the international system.

Through the study of contemporary debates and case studies, students will assess how competing objectives, including economic growth, sustainability, and social development, can be balanced in an increasingly interconnected world, while critically evaluating the effectiveness of international organisations and global governance frameworks.

Middle East: Cultural Imperialism and Hegemony (elective)

This module examines the Middle East through the lens of International Relations, exploring how power, identity, and external influence have shaped the region from the late Ottoman era to the present day. It considers the historical impact of imperialism, state formation, and global political and economic change, alongside the continuing importance of religion, nationalism, and cultural identity in regional politics.

Drawing on both historical and contemporary perspectives, the module analyses the Middle East’s evolving relationship with major international powers and the wider international system. Students will explore how regional actors navigate competing political, economic, and security pressures, as well as how concepts such as hegemony, dependency, and cultural imperialism help explain patterns of cooperation, conflict, and influence.

Particular attention is given to contemporary issues including regional conflicts, political Islam, the Arab Spring and its aftermath, energy politics, and the growing involvement of global powers such as the United States, Russia, and China. Through these themes, the module develops a deeper understanding of the Middle East as a key arena in contemporary international relations and global politics.

EU Policies and Politics: The Future of the European Project in the Global Context (elective)

The European Union is one of the most influential actors in contemporary international politics and one of the most ambitious examples of regional integration in modern history. This module explores the development of the European project, examining how the EU has evolved politically, economically, and institutionally while responding to major international and domestic challenges.

Students will analyse the EU’s role in shaping regional and global affairs, exploring issues such as economic governance, trade, migration, security, climate policy, enlargement, and relations with neighbouring regions and major powers. The module examines how EU institutions formulate and implement policy, while also considering the tensions and debates that continue to shape the future of European integration.

Drawing on contemporary case studies, students will critically evaluate the EU’s effectiveness as both a system of governance and an international actor. Particular attention is given to the challenges facing the European project in the twenty-first century and the implications of these developments for global politics, international cooperation, and the future of the liberal international order.

The annual tuition fee for this programme is €21,300, covering both the autumn and spring semesters. This includes course registration, tuition and standard study materials, full access to the Blackboard learning platform, library access, visa and immigration support, and 24/7 student assistance.

We offer the following discount options for early tuition fee payments:

For the Autumn semester (starting in September): a 5% discount if the semester’s tuition fee is paid before 15 August, or a 10% discount if the full academic year’s tuition fee (Autumn and Spring semesters) is paid before 15 August.

For the Spring semester (starting in February): a 5% discount if the semester’s tuition fee is paid before 15 December, or a 10% discount if the full academic year’s tuition fee (Spring and Autumn semesters) is paid before 15 December.

Course registration takes place during the first week of the semester. Non-attendance later in the term does not remove financial or academic responsibility for courses in which a student has already enrolled. Any course withdrawal must be officially processed through Student Services.

Every student is responsible for being familiar with, and complying with, all published university regulations and policies.

We review applications on a rolling basis, meaning they are assessed as soon as they are submitted. To apply for a master’s programme, you must hold a recognised bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification from an accredited institution.

Applicants who have not previously studied in an English-speaking school or country must provide proof of English language proficiency. We accept IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 and no component below 5.5, TOEFL iBT with a minimum score of 88 (at least 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing), the Cambridge Certificate at B2 level (minimum overall score of 176 and 162 in each component), or a pass in the MIUC English Test.

Your application must include a copy of your passport or national ID, a recent passport-sized digital photograph, evidence of English proficiency where required, officially translated copies of your bachelor’s degree certificate and academic transcripts in English or Spanish, and a Statement of Purpose of approximately 500 words explaining why you wish to study at MIUC, what you hope to achieve and your professional aspirations.

International applicants should note that current Spanish immigration regulations require student visa applications to be submitted at least two months before the start of the programme, so we encourage you to apply early.