The Department of Politics & International Relations provides an outstanding environment to pursue postgraduate study. We offer a comprehensive MSc programme that includes a broad range of specialist pathways and a rigorous postgraduate research degree. Graduates from our MSc programme have gone on to exciting careers in a variety of fields and sometimes also to further study in PhD programmes in the UK and abroad. Our cohorts are diverse and international, and we regularly attract students from the UK, Europe, North and South America, the Middle East, south Asia, and the Far East. Our postgraduate teaching is supported by a rigorous research skills training programme, four active research units, regular departmental research seminars, and a collegial and supportive academic staff that in a handful of years since its establishment has made the Department an important centre in the field.
We warmly invite you to join us.
Download our full Postgraduate Brochure. 
Please note that although there is no formal cap on places on our MSc programme we do regularly monitor the estimated intake of students and may close the programme or particular streams of the programme. Places are offered in the order in which applications are received.
The Department is now accepting applications for 2012/13. If you are interested in one of the MSc streams you are welcome to contact the Admissions Coordinators, Michael Bacon (Politics) or Stephanie Carvin (International Relations).
Intake/applications (for Department) in 2011: 45/375
Start date: 24 September 2012
Duration: 12 months full-time, 24 months part-time
Fee levels: See the Tuition Fee pages.
Financial support: See the Sources of Postgraduate Funding pages.
You can apply online for a place on our postgraduate programmes by clicking here. 
Truly international
Our MSc programme attracts those with backgrounds in a wide range of social science disciplines, and both recent graduates and mature students with work experience. The programme attracts those with backgrounds in a wide range of social science disciplines, and both recent graduates and mature students with work experience. A large number come from Europe and overseas and recent cohorts have included students from the Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Germany, Greece, Iran, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, and the USA.
Many of our graduates go on to register for research degrees, both at Royal Holloway and other prestigious institutions in the UK and abroad.
An innovative and flexible programme
We offer an exciting range of new MSc streams in cutting-edge areas of politics and international relations. All of these are also offered at Postgraduate Diploma level and can be studied on a part-time or full-time basis.
Each MSc stream consists of a mixture of core courses, stream options, a choice of free options and a 10-12000 word supervised dissertation written over the summer. Teaching is conducted in small group seminars that meet weekly for two hours, supplemented by individual tuition for the dissertation. Students graduate with an MSc bearing the title of their chosen stream.
The MSc streams are:
• Contemporary Political Theory
• Democracy, Politics and Governance
• European Politics
• Global Politics
• International Relations
• International Relations Theory
• New Political Communication
• Transnational Security Studies
Stream structures
Each MSc stream combines specialisation in the stream area with flexibility and choice. Each is based on four units in total and conforms to one of two basic models:
Model 1
Core methods course (autumn term): 0.5 units
Core research design course (spring term): 0.5 units
Stream Core Course 1 (autumn term): 0.5 units
Stream Core Course 2 (spring term): 0.5 units
Free option 1 (autumn term): 0.5 units
Free option 2 (spring term): 0.5 units
Dissertation in the stream specialism: 1 unit
Model 2
Core methods course (autumn term): 0.5 units
Core research design course (spring term): 0.5 units
Stream Core Course 1 (autumn term): 0.5 units
Stream Core Course (autumn term): 0.5 units
Stream Core Option (spring term - constrained choice from short list of cognate courses): 0.5 units
Free option 1 (autumn term): 0.5 units
Free option 2 (spring term): 0.5 units
Dissertation in the stream specialism: 1 unit
Note: not all streams, courses or options are guaranteed to be available every year.
MSc stream in Contemporary Political Theory
The MSc stream in contemporary political theory is one of the few programmes in the UK that works across the Anglo-American/Continental divide in political thought. Students will explore conceptual issues related to order, justice, and liberty, key texts by Nietzsche and twentieth century European thinkers, and have option courses in human rights, culture and community, political philosophies of the New Left, applied political philosophy, biopolitics, and more.
Model 1 stream..
Core courses. |
Stream Core Course. Autumn term. |
Stream Core Option. |
Free Options (all 0.5 units). Choose one for Autumn term and one for Spring term. |
Dissertation. |
Autumn Term Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods in Politics and IR (0.5) Introduction to Qualitative Methods in Politics and IR (0.5) Foundations of Contemporary Political Theory (0.5)
Spring Term
|
Political Concepts |
Contemporary Continental Political Theory
|
Autumn Term Foreign Policy of the European Union Identity, Power and Radical Political Theory The Politics of Ethnic Multiculturalism Transnational Security and the Law of Targeting
Spring Term Comparative Political Executives Conflict and Conflict Resolution in the Middle East Contemporary Continental Critical Approaches to Global Environmental Politics Democracy and Politics in India Democracy in Comparative Perspective Human Rights: From Theory to Practice Internet and New Media Politics Media, War and Conflict Political Violence Sovereignty, Rights, and Justice Theories of Globalization |
Dissertation on an aspect of political theory |
MSc stream in Democracy, Politics and Governance
The MSc Stream in Democracy, Politics and Governance provides an advanced grounding in contemporary political science, focusing on democratic theory, political institutions, and public policy across different political systems.
Model 2 stream.
Core courses. |
Stream Core Course. Autumn term. |
Stream Core Option. |
Free Options (all 0.5 units). Choose one for Autumn term and one for Spring term. |
Dissertation. |
Autumn Term Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods in Politics and IR (0.5) Introduction to Qualitative Methods in Politics and IR (0.5) Foundations of Contemporary Political Theory (0.5)
Spring Term
|
The Politics of Democracy |
Comparative Political Executives Culture and Community Democracy in Comparative Perspective |
Autumn Term Foreign Policy of the European Union Identity, Power and Radical Political Theory The Politics of Ethnic Multiculturalism Transnational Security and the Law of Targeting
Spring Term Conflict and Conflict Resolution in the Middle East Contemporary Continental Critical Approaches to Global Environmental Politics Democracy and Politics in India Human Rights: From Theory to Practice Internet and New Media Politics Media, War and Conflict Political Violence Sovereignty, Rights, and Justice Theories of Globalization |
Dissertation on an aspect of democracy, politics and governance |
MSc stream in European Politics
The MSc stream in European Politics provides advanced analysis of contemporary European politics, examining the interaction between governments and institutions (including comparative and international perspectives) and a focus on the policies and institutions of the European Union.
Model 2 stream.
Core courses. |
Stream Core Course. Autumn term. |
Stream Core Option. |
Free Options (all 0.5 units). Choose one for Autumn term and one for Spring term. |
Dissertation. |
Autumn Term Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods in Politics and IR (0.5) Introduction to Qualitative Methods in Politics and IR (0.5) Foundations of Contemporary Political Theory (0.5)
Spring Term
|
European Union Politics and Policy |
Comparative Political Executives Democracy in Comparative Perspective |
Autumn Term Foreign Policy of the European Union Identity, Power and Radical Political Theory The Politics of Ethnic Multiculturalism Transnational Security and the Law of Targeting
Spring Term Conflict and Conflict Resolution in the Middle East Contemporary Continental Critical Approaches to Global Environmental Politics Culture and Community Democracy and Politics in India Human Rights: From Theory to Practice Internet and New Media Politics Media, War and Conflict Political Violence Sovereignty, Rights, and Justice Theories of Globalization |
Dissertation on an aspect of European politics |
MSc stream in Global Politics
Explores at an advanced level such issues as globalization, identity, borders, regionalism, transnational connections and mobilization.
Model 1 stream.
|
Core courses. |
Stream Core Course 1. Autumn term. |
Stream Core Course 2. |
Free Options (all 0.5 units). Choose one for Autumn term and one for Spring term. |
Dissertation. |
Autumn Term Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods in Politics and IR (0.5) Introduction to Qualitative Methods in Politics and IR (0.5) Foundations of Contemporary Political Theory (0.5)
Spring Term
|
Politics of Globalization |
Theories of Globalization |
Autumn Term Foreign Policy of the European Union Identity, Power and Radical Political Theory The Politics of Ethnic Multiculturalism Transnational Security and the Law of Targeting
Spring Term Comparative Political Executives Conflict and Conflict Resolution in the Middle East Contemporary Continental Critical Approaches to Global Environmental Politics Culture and Community Democracy and Politics in India Democracy in Comparative Perspective Human Rights: From Theory to Practice Internet and New Media Politics Media, War and Conflict Political Violence Sovereignty, Rights, and Justice |
Dissertation on an aspect of global politics |
MSc stream in International Relations
The MSc stream in International Relations offers an advanced analysis of international relations, investigating the political, economic and social interactions of various actors in world politics.
Model 2 stream.
Core courses. |
Stream Core Course. Autumn term. |
Stream Core Option. |
Free Options (all 0.5 units). Choose one for Autumn term and one for Spring term. |
Dissertation. |
Autumn Term Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods in Politics and IR (0.5) Introduction to Qualitative Methods in Politics and IR (0.5) Foundations of Contemporary Political Theory (0.5)
Spring Term
|
Analysing International Politics |
Conflict and Conflict Resolution in the Middle East Critical Approaches to Global Environmental Politics Media, War and Conflict Theories of Globalization |
Autumn Term Foreign Policy of the European Union Identity, Power and Radical Political Theory The Politics of Ethnic Multiculturalism Transnational Security and the Law of Targeting
Spring Term Comparative Political Executives Contemporary Continental Culture and Community Democracy and Politics in India Democracy in Comparative Perspective Human Rights: From Theory to Practice Internet and New Media Politics Political Violence Sovereignty, Rights, and Justice |
Dissertation on an aspect of international relations |
MSc stream in International Relations Theory
The MSc stream in International Relations Theory is designed for those wishing to specialise in theoretical aspects of international relations, with an emphasis on sovereignty, rights, and justice, and global political economy.
Model 1 stream.
Core courses. |
Stream Core Course 1. Autumn term. |
Stream Core Course 2. |
Free Options (all 0.5 units). Choose one for Autumn term and one for Spring term. |
Dissertation. |
Autumn TermStudents choose one from: Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods in Politics and IR (0.5) Introduction to Qualitative Methods in Politics and IR (0.5) Foundations of Contemporary Political Theory (0.5)
Spring Term
|
Analysing International Politics |
Sovereignty, Rights and Justice |
Autumn Term Foreign Policy of the European Union Identity, Power and Radical Political Theory The Politics of Ethnic Multiculturalism Transnational Security and the Law of Targeting
Spring Term Comparative Political Executives Conflict and Conflict Resolution in the Middle East Contemporary Continental Critical Approaches to Global Environmental Politics Culture and Community Democracy and Politics in India Democracy in Comparative Perspective Human Rights: From Theory to Practice Internet and New Media Politics Media, War and Conflict Political Violence Theories of Globalization |
Dissertation on an aspect of international relations theory |
MSc stream in New Political Communication
For those seeking to understand the interplay between digital new media and communication technologies, political institutions, behaviour and public policy, with emphases on citizen engagement, mobilization, campaigning, and the role of new media in the global system. Covers e-democracy, e-government and e-campaigning, but also includes material on media, war and conflict.
Model 1 stream. For more detail, visit the New Political Communication Unit website.
Core courses. |
Stream Core Course 1. Autumn term. |
Stream Core Course 2. |
Free Options (all 0.5 units). Choose one for Autumn term and one for Spring term. |
Dissertation. |
Autumn Term Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods in Politics and IR (0.5) Introduction to Qualitative Methods in Politics and IR (0.5) Foundations of Contemporary Political Theory (0.5)
Spring Term
|
New Political Communication |
Internet and New Media Politics |
Autumn Term Foreign Policy of the European Union Identity, Power and Radical Political Theory The Politics of Ethnic Multiculturalism Transnational Security and the Law of Targeting
Spring Term Comparative Political Executives Conflict and Conflict Resolution in the Middle East Contemporary Continental Critical Approaches to Global Environmental Politics Culture and Community Democracy and Politics in India Democracy in Comparative Perspective Human Rights: From Theory to Practice Media, War and Conflict People and Technology (TBD) Political Violence Sovereignty, Rights, and Justice Theories of Globalization |
Dissertation on an aspect of new political communication |
MSc stream in Transnational Security Studies
Questions about security – what drives it and what undermines it – shape global politics. Terrorism, conflict, environmental catastrophe, weapons of mass destruction and weak states are all security issues that are reflected in our media, dominate policy-making in international politics, and increasingly impinge on our daily lives. The MSc in Transnational Security Studies is an exciting new degree that brings together many of the existing strengths of the Department of Politics and International Relations, including expertise in the areas of security studies, comparative politics, international law and conflict, political theory, and global politics. The core of the programme traces the security studies discipline from its traditional approaches through its evolution to include ever more transnational dynamics. The programme can be tailored to specific interests through option courses in subjects such as political violence; biopolitics; media, communication and conflict; international law of targeting; and regional international politics. The degree will provide students with both a firm academic foundation in the security studies discipline and a base of knowledge for careers in fields of policymaking, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and more.
Model 2 stream.
Core courses. |
Stream Core Course 1. Autumn term. |
Stream Core Course 2. |
Free Options (all 0.5 units). Choose one for Autumn term and one for Spring term. |
Dissertation. |
Autumn Term Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods in Politics and IR (0.5) Introduction to Qualitative Methods in Politics and IR (0.5) Foundations of Contemporary Political Theory (0.5)
Spring Term
|
Transnational Security Studies |
Biopolitics and Security Critical Approaches to Global Environmental Politics Media, War and Conflict Political Violence
|
Autumn Term Foreign Policy of the European Union Identity, Power and Radical Political Theory The Politics of Ethnic Multiculturalism Transnational Security and the Law of Targeting
Spring Term Conflict and Conflict Resolution in the Middle East Contemporary Continental Culture and Community Democracy and Politics in India Democracy in Comparative Perspective Human Rights: From Theory to Practice Internet and New Media Politics Sovereignty, Rights, and Justice Theories of Globalization |
Dissertation on an aspect of transnational security studies |
Postgraduate Diploma
The streams are also offered at Postgraduate Diploma level (full- and part-time) for those who do not have the academic background necessary to begin an advanced Masters course. The structure of the Diploma streams is identical except that students do not write a dissertation. Students who are successful on the Diploma may transfer to the MSc subject to academic approval.
Application and Entry Requirements
You can apply online for a place on our postgraduate programmes by clicking here. 
The standard entrance requirement is a first or upper second class degree (or its foreign equivalent) in politics, iinternational relations or a related social science subject. We also consider strong lower class results. Related social science subjects include, but are not restricted to: sociology, history, communication, law, media and cultural studies, social anthropology, information science, European studies, economics, geography, management, social policy, psychology, and science and technology studies.
For students who are not native English speakers we normally also require an English language test score that meets our minimum requirement. IELTS, TOEFL and Cambridge Advanced Certificates are all accepted. For IELTS the minimum requirement is a 6.5 overall score with 7.0 in writing.
Applications from those with non-standard qualifications are also welcome. All applications are assessed promptly and on the basis of academic transcripts, reference letters, personal statements, and other supporting documentation.
Please note that places on the MSc programme are offered in the order in which applications are received.
Funding
A small number of fees-only departmental studentships may be offered on a competitive basis for the MSc programme. There are also a small number of College scholarships including the Royal Holloway International Excellence Scheme. For further details see the Sources of Postgraduate Funding pages.
Further information
Further information is available from the Masters Coordinators:
Dr Michael Bacon (for the MSc streams in Contemporary Political Theory; Democracy, Politics and Governance; European Politics; and New Political Communication)
Email: Michael.Bacon@rhul.ac.uk
Dr Stephanie Carvin (for the MSc streams in Global Politics; International Relations; International Relations Theory; and Transnational Security Studies).
Email: Stephanie.Carvin@rhul.ac.uk
Tel/Fax : +44 (0)1784 443149/434375