COURSE CURRICULUM

The MRes Politics and International Relations programme is structured around a set of compulsory research training modules designed to prepare students for advanced academic work and doctoral study, alongside optional modules that allow specialisation in key areas of political science and international relations. The core curriculum includes Philosophy of Social Science, which develops understanding of the philosophical, methodological, and ethical foundations of research design, encouraging students to reflect on their own assumptions and ethical responsibilities; Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods, which covers approaches such as case studies, process tracing, archival research, interviews, ethnography, and discourse analysis; and Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods, which focuses on hypothesis testing, data collection, and statistical analysis of human behaviour. Optional modules allow students to deepen their knowledge in areas such as Politics of Public Policy, International Relations Theory, International Security Studies, Contemporary Diplomacy, Terrorism in a Globalising World, Worlding International Relations, Building Peace, NATO Strategy during and after the Cold War, International Organisations in Global Politics, and Strategic Studies, each exploring key global issues including governance, conflict, diplomacy, and international cooperation. Together, these modules build strong theoretical and methodological foundations while enabling students to critically engage with contemporary global challenges. The programme is closely aligned with doctoral training pathways, equipping students with advanced research skills and disciplinary expertise necessary for PhD-level study in Politics and International Relations.