Postgraduate Taught

International Politics

Three smartly dressed politics students walking through the grounds of Westminster
A politics student standing on a landing In Westminster and looking up through the middle of a winding staircase
A mixture of flags from different countries at the top of a group of flagpoles
A map showing most of Europe and some of North Africa
This Masters course is aimed at graduates from all academics backgrounds with an interest in political theory and practice, and how these interact on the world stage.
You'll learn about current approaches to international relations – and the politics behind them – as well as developing more general skills in writing, research, public speaking and logical analysis.
Many of our graduates go on to work in Westminster but our courses also open doors to careers in journalism, business and finance, and more.
Made up of both core and optional modules, our course can be tailored to your own specific areas of interest such as foreign policy, global society, or environmental politics.
Learn from some of the UK’s leaders in political theory, British government, and international relations. They’re passionate about politics and will help shape skills for you through interactive seminars and active debate.
Three smartly dressed politics students walking through the grounds of Westminster
A politics student standing on a landing In Westminster and looking up through the middle of a winding staircase
Politics - Politics
A mixture of flags from different countries at the top of a group of flagpoles
A map showing most of Europe and some of North Africa

Want to have your views heard and discussed in the classroom? Passionate about politics and want to explore your options?

Whether you’re an avid news reader, take an active interest in politics or find the world of current affairs fascinating, this Masters course is for you.

This course covers a range of international relations from political analysis and methodology of the social sciences to exploring contemporary global problems.

We’ll aim to nurture your interest in current affairs whilst teaching you a methodology so you can move into a role that interests you.

  • Learn current approaches

    to international relations studies

  • Aimed at graduates

    with an interest in political theory and practice

  • Leading experts

    teach on this course

  • Tailor your Masters

    with optional modules

  • Boost your career

    by developing skills in writing, public speaking and more

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Course overview
Module options

About this course

Our International Politics course looks at contemporary global problems and explores different approaches to their solution overall.

Made up of both core and optional modules as well as a 15,000-word dissertation, you’ll develop great listening and debate skills and learn to shape your arguments in a professional way.

This course will help teach you about the current approaches to international relations studies as well as more general skills in writing, research, public speaking and logical analysis.

If you’re interested in a particular area such as foreign policy, global society, regional integration, environmental politics, or strategic and security studies, you can choose them as optional modules.

Choose your modules

For a full Masters degree, you'll study 180 credits over the duration of your course. Some programmes offer a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) qualification or a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) qualification. For a PGDip, you'll study 120 credits, and for a PGCert, you'll study 60 credits.

International Relations: Theory and Practice

This module examines international relations theory and practice. It ranges from the discipline's foundation – and the so-called ‘classical’ ‘first’ and ‘second’ debate theories of idealism, realism, institutionalism and the English school – to the approaches that form what's become known as the ‘third debate’.

Core•20 credits

Power and the State in International Politics

This module explores the changing role of the state and the nature of power and ethics in the international system. You'll select three thematic blocks (from a choice of nine), which reflect current global problems and academic expertise.

Core•30 credits

Challenges in International Politics

This module addresses some of the challenges for effective, democratic and ethical global governance. It engages with the issues for states and other international agents of global political change and interdependence.

Core•30 credits

Approaches to Research

Extend your understanding of a range of research techniques and skills for the study of politics. This module provides everything you'll need for conducting research in your area of interest – from conducting interviews and focus groups to analysing statistical data and texts.

Core•30 credits

Dissertation

What fascinates you? You will make an original contribution to research by designing, carrying out and writing up a project on a topic of your choice, supported by your dissertation supervisor.

Core•60 credits
5 Modules

Our academics

Our staff are research-led and are experts in topics such as strategic studies, international relations theory, international law, European integration and foreign policy.

They’re passionate about politics and will help shape skills for you through interactive seminars and active debate.

See more academics for this subject
Dr Elizabeth Monaghan
Featured academic

Dr Elizabeth Monaghan

Elizabeth is Deputy Director of the Centre for European Union Studies. She’s a regular media contributor on the European Union and Brexit, and writes for The Conversation. She’s also involved in outreach with community groups, schools and business.

Colin Tyler
Featured academic

Prof Colin Tyler

Colin is a Professor of Applied Ethics and Political Theory. As well as bringing his extensive expertise to Hull, he has held visiting professor roles at a number of institutions across the world including in France, the USA, Japan, Italy and Poland.

Entry requirements

What do I need?

Typical offer
2:2 in any subject area
Additional entry requirements for this course

This programme is designed for graduates from any discipline with a strong interest in International Politics. However, we do recommend that you have a basic knowledge and understanding of this area.

If you’re an undergraduate student at Hull, you’re guaranteed a fast-track route to this postgraduate degree, as long as you meet the entry requirements.

In order to ensure our students have a rich learning and student experience, most of our programmes have a mix of domestic and international students. We reserve the right to close applications early to either group if application volumes suggest that this blend cannot be achieved.

What do I need?

Typical offer
2:2 in any subject area
Additional entry requirements for this course

This programme is designed for graduates from any discipline with a strong interest in International Politics. However, we do recommend that you have a basic knowledge and understanding of this area.

If you require a student visa to study or if your first language is not English you will be required to provide acceptable evidence of your English language proficiency level.

This course requires academic IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each skill. See other English language proficiency qualifications accepted by the University of Hull.

If your English currently does not reach the University’s required standard for this programme, you may be interested in one of our English language courses.

Visit your country page to find out more about our entry requirements.

Fees & funding

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme. There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make:

  • Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
  • Optional field trips
  • Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
  • Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
  • Student visas (international students)
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PCs on campus, but you may want your own)
  • Printing and photocopying
  • Professional-body membership
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme. There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make:

  • Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
  • Optional field trips
  • Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
  • Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
  • Student visas (international students)
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PCs on campus, but you may want your own)
  • Printing and photocopying
  • Professional-body membership
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

Our scholarships

We offer a number of awards, bursaries and scholarships for eligible students. They’re awarded for a variety of reasons including academic achievement and/or to help those on lower incomes.

Scholarships and bursaries are separate to student loans. And the best bit is, you don’t pay a penny back.

Find out more about our scholarships

Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship

University of Hull undergraduates progressing to a taught masters course may receive a 25% discount on the cost of their tuition fees.

Find out if you’re eligible by visiting the University of Hull Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship page.

International Scholarships and Bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries for international students.

To find out more and see if you're eligible, please visit the International Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Take a look at our facilities

Brynmor Jones Library

Our 7-storey library is home to 1 million+ books, extensive digital resources drawn from libraries and archives across the world, and stunning panoramic views of the city from the 7th floor.

Allam Lecture Theatre

One of the largest lecture theatres on campus. Comfortable seating and modern equipment make this a fantastic environment for learning. It often hosts external speakers and special guests.

Reading Room

You’ll find the Reading Room on the first floor of our library. It offers a comfortable space and a quiet environment to study – away from the hustle and bustle of the campus.

Study Rooms

You'll find over 1,000 workspaces in our library. From boardroom-style meeting venues with big-screen PCs to informal group study areas and interactive whiteboards.

See more in our virtual tour

Look around

Look around

Look around

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Brynmor Jones Library
Allam Lecture Theatre
Brynmor Jones Library Reading Room
Brynmor Jones Library Group Study Room
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Future prospects

Many of our Masters students choose to progress to further study international politics at PhD level as they’re keen to discover even more about their favourite topics.

Graduates from the course have a strong overview on contemporary global issues, enabling them to bring their knowledge and skills to a range of government and civil careers on a local and international scale.

Being able to choose specialised modules will upskill you in the fields of your choice, such as foreign policy, environmental politics, or strategic and security studies, putting you in a great position to follow careers in your specialist area.

If you’re considering a career in media, academia, government foreign service or non-governmental organisations, this MA will help you carve out a successful path for the future. Why not make the most of our strong connections with Westminster and continue your interest in international politics with further study?

University of Hull Open Day

Your next steps

Like what you’ve seen? Then it’s time to apply.

Make your application online now, and our admissions team will get back to you as soon as possible to make you an offer.

Apply now
How to apply

Not ready to apply?

We regularly deliver virtual and on-campus events to help you discover your perfect postgraduate course, whether it’s a subject you already love or something completely different. Our events are an opportunity for you to chat to tutors and current students and find out about the career options a postgraduate degree could lead to.

Discover more

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All modules presented on this course page are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.

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