Viewing course details for 2025-26 year of entry
- Code
- 005L260
- Attendance
- Full-time
- Start
- September 2025
- Fees
- £11,300 (UK) £18,000 (INT)
- Duration
- 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
- Course Leader
- Tunc Aybak
- Study mode
- On campus, Online
- Location
- Hendon campus
- School / Department
- Department of Law and Social Sciences
Why choose International Relations and Diplomacy MA at Middlesex?
We are living in a fast moving and fluctuating geopolitical world. Look around you: the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the rise of China, the conflict in the Middle East, and the return of Trump are all geopolitical events that have a direct impact on our lives and careers. The world we have created is almost daily a rapidly outstripping our capacity to understand it. The scale of global interconnectivity and interdependence has resulted in a steep change and complexity in global and regional geopolitical orders further driven by technological developments and strategic power shifts in the international order. The challenging question remains: how do we make sense of this complex and rapidly changing rule-based liberal world order?
Our programme, delivered by our field-leading team of experts, aims to equip you with the 21st century skills and knowledge, to make sense of these events and boost your career prospects. In our interactive sessions, through discussions and debates in class, you will be encouraged to explore the cause of global events and potential solutions. You will discover how the developments in international relations affects real-world events, and develop critical and analytical skills in diplomacy, intelligence, security and policy making. With guest lecturers and visits to international organizations in London, you’ll gain the relevant experience and leadership skills you need for a role in global politics and international affairs. You’ll delve into the most pressing issues in global politics, such as foreign policy of the key actors, geopolitical shifts, global security challenges, migration, global communications, climate change, human rights and international law. You'll explore the rise of emerging powers and the Global South. The course also gives you flexibility to choose specialist optional modules.
This MA programme will equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to boost your career prospects in diplomacy, intelligence, international organisations, political risk, government agencies, security sector, NGOs, think tanks, or academia. The course offers a wide range of modules including a work placement opportunity and dissertation module that trains you to engage in a substantial piece of research and to apply your knowledge and skills in an area of particular interest to you and your career aspirations. With a particular focus on security, intelligence and diplomatic statecraft, this course combines academic insight with practical learning.
We welcome and support students from a variety of disciplinary and diverse backgrounds. You may have studied IR before, or you may have a background in an associated degree. Or you may be coming to this area afresh, looking to change the course of your career.
What you will gain
Some of the benefits you'll enjoy by joining us on this course include:
- Academic-led field trips to some of London's most important global organisations, such as the UN's International Maritime Organization
- The opportunity to work alongside a diverse international student body that provides a student centred and inclusive environment for a unique learning experience
- The chance to gain valuable work experience options for internship opportunities with governmental and non-governmental organizations.
3 great reasons to pick this course
About your course
You'll complete four core modules plus two optional modules over the autumn and winter/spring semesters, with a dissertation module in the summer semester. Depending on your entry point to the course, you'll submit a final dissertation or a work-based project report in October or January of the year following your entry.
On the 12-month version of the MA, you can choose the Work Integrated Learning module to replace the dissertation with prior agreement if you have secured a suitable placement with an external organisation.
To find out more about this course, please download the International Relations and Diplomacy MA course specification (PDF).
Compulsory modules
Here is a brief overview of the modules
This module analyses changes in the global security agenda both empirically and theoretically. The meaning of security is explored and competing theoretical perspectives in the discipline are compared. The transformation of military security threats is then analysed with particular emphasis on the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and the significance of global terrorism. The module then explores the rise of non-military issues of state and human security, including human rights abuses, environmental change, crime, disease, poverty, and disasters.
This course will draw on the advanced classical and critical theories of international relations and geopolitical perspectives applied to the study of the foreign policy traditions, risk assessment strategies and practices of the key actors and cases in global politics. It is designed to encourage those who may wish to further their specialised study of foreign analysis or employment in fields related to governmental and non-governmental sectors, including business, political risk, media, security and diplomacy.
The International Political Economy of Media module explores the media's role in global political and economic systems. It examines how media shapes and is shaped by globalisation, monopolies, power dynamics, and activism. The course delves into the influence of media on global power structures, drawing on frameworks like Marxism, media imperialism, and critiques of globalisation. Topics include social media's impact on politics, misinformation, media monopolies, and the privatisation of communication platforms. You will analyse the media's effects on democracy, policy, and governance, preparing you for careers in media analysis, policy, journalism, and international organisations.
The aim of the module is not only to equip you with critical skills in diplomacy and intelligence but actively encourage you to critically reflect on your own skills and competencies in understanding the role of diplomatic statecraft and intelligence in contemporary global politics. ‘Intelligence’ is used here in a broader, critical and inclusive sense. The module is designed particularly to meet the needs of students seeking jobs in governmental and non-governmental sectors in NGOs, international and regional organisations, political, business and political risk analysis, investigative journalism, diplomacy and communication.
Students take either - it is compulsory to pick one of these options
This module is designed to support you in completing a substantial academic research project on a key issue related to your programme of study. You’ll gain a solid foundation in postgraduate-level research methods and develop both the practical and analytical skills needed to design and carry out your own independent research. In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to enhance your learning by choosing from a range of optional, extra-curricular methods sessions delivered by specialist staff, allowing you to tailor your research skills to suit your interests and project focus.
This module provides you with an opportunity to apply to work in an organisation which offers an alternative or new experience relevant to your professional career aspirations for a period of 44 working days. It develops advanced professional practitioner skills in your specific field, to enhance your career prospects.
This module is designed to support you in completing a substantial academic research project on a key issue related to your programme of study. You’ll gain a solid foundation in postgraduate-level research methods and develop both the practical and analytical skills needed to design and carry out your own independent research. In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to enhance your learning by choosing from a range of optional, extra-curricular methods sessions delivered by specialist staff, allowing you to tailor your research skills to suit your interests and project focus.
This module provides you with an opportunity to apply to work in an organisation which offers an alternative or new experience relevant to your professional career aspirations for a period of 44 working days. It develops advanced professional practitioner skills in your specific field, to enhance your career prospects.
The module aims to develop professional practice through the application of relevant academic skills and concepts from the Masters Programmes to a practical work context. This may be through an in-situ placement or as projects conducted in a ‘consultancy’ type setting, which will support a professional approach to the contemporary world of work and make a tangible contribution to an organisation. The module intends to open possibilities in the field concerned by enabling the student to acquire reflective, generic and transferrable professional capabilities.
This module aims to provide a critical understanding of the historical and contemporary geopolitics and globalisation of migration and the theories and approaches used to explain these processes in the 21st century. The module critically reviews the increasingly complex frameworks that have been developed to explain the economic, social and political transformation brought about by migratory processes, such as transnationalism; social divisions such as gender, class and race; different levels (macro, meso, micro) and types of movement (mobility, circulation, migration).
This module aims to explore the nexus of Sustainable Development and Human Rights to better understand how these two contested notions interact at an international policy, national and local level. The module uses a combination of multimedia, scholarship and current issues in a hybrid learning format to critically examine key issues around inclusion/exclusion and reflects on how the rights and ‘development’ of ‘marginalised groups’ have been promoted (or not) and how this is further complicated by climate crisis. It aims overall to question if the current approaches to human rights are sufficient to operationalise sustainable development for all.
This combined MA module and Continuing Professional Development course, developed and delivered by Middlesex University and London Development Trust (LDT), provides you with skills and knowledge to understand and critique approaches to sustainable urban development. You will learn to develop and apply practical approaches to complex and diverse urban settings, to address challenges related to urban regeneration, social inequality, health and climate change. The module equips you with tools to explore how inclusive communities and a common sense of place are built and sustained, practically examining the role of social stewardship and community development in sites of urban development and regeneration.
This module will examine the international legal framework and policies for international trade provided by the World Trade Organization (WTO). A core aim of the module is to equip you with a thorough understanding of global trade regimes, including an overview of globalisation, contemporary international economic relations, the regulation of international trade through the WTO, and the relationship between international trade, legal harmonisation, and trade-related issues. Additionally, you will participate in mooting activities, to gain practical experience in presenting and debating complex international trade cases. This hands-on experience is designed to reinforce your understanding of the origins, structure, rationale, and scope of the global trading system and to encourage the development of essential skills in this field.
The Bhopal disaster, Niger Delta tragedy, and Rana Plaza collapse all underscore the systemic issue of corporate human rights abuses, revealing victims' powerlessness in seeking remedies and the lack of transparency in global business. The "business and human rights" field addresses this accountability gap by promoting corporate responsibility for human rights. This module introduces you to the field's complexities, bridging international human rights law, criminal law, and trade law, and examines corporate liability, challenging traditional State-focused frameworks. You will explore international standards, including those from the UN, EU, OECD, and World Bank, gaining critical tools to assess the human rights impacts of global business practices.
This module addresses contemporary transformations of violent extremism and terrorism, together with policy and practice directions emerging in response. The learning pathway is built around case studies and theoretical frameworks, with a focus on the UK and Europe, and is structured around the tension between transformations in violent extremism and theoretical, policy and practice frameworks attempting to understand and respond to these developments. This task will include mapping counter-extremism and prevention actors and stakeholders at local, national and European levels, and the role of social science graduates in this field.
This module aims to explore the social, cultural, political and economic issues related to intersectionality in action, particularly through the drive toward adopting an Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) approach in policy and practice. Taking an intersectional approach, it will explore a number of interconnected characteristics – such as gender, age, race, ethnicity, sexuality, and disability – considering how these can be incorporated into existing policy frameworks, including the monitoring and evaluation of outcomes. The module takes an intersectional, embodied and activist approach to sustainable social change, to enable students to develop not just transformative but inclusive solutions to social problems.
This module focuses on the societal drivers of climate change, who it impacts and how it is linked to global social inequalities, and interrogates the implications of colonialism, race, climate migration and climate refugees and hegemonic political and economic agendas in relation to climate. We examine critically a range of climate mitigation and adaptation solutions and social movements and develop an understanding of the necessary transformational change for an equitable, climate-resilient future.
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Teaching
You'll be taught by an experienced teaching team with a wide range of expertise and professional experience.
At the heart of your learning experience are interactive workshops (featuring guest speakers), student-led seminars, and lively class discussions. These are complemented by videos and visits to international organisations, bringing real-world context into the classroom.
Independent study is supported through recommended readings and exercises, all reinforced with in-class activities that bring the material to life.
You can tailor your learning through a range of optional modules, and choose between completing a traditional research dissertation or a work-based learning project – both designed to prepare you for the next step in your career.
You'll be based in our Hendon campus, north London.
In a typical year, you’ll spend about 1200 hours on your course.
Outside of teaching hours, you’ll learn independently through reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, and preparing for assessments including coursework and presentations.
A typical week looks like this:
Learning |
Hours per week |
On-campus/Online |
8 (FT), 5 (PT) |
Independent study |
42 (FT), 20 (PT) |
Approximate number of hours on placement
- Full-time students: 30 hours per week over a maximum of 44 days over 24 weeks for a 60-credit placement
- Part-time students: 15 hours per week over a maximum of 22 days over 12 weeks for a 15 credit placement
Learning terms
FT: Full-time
PT: Part-time
On-campus: This includes tutor-led sessions such as seminars, lab sessions and demonstrations as well as student-led sessions for work in small groups.
Online learning: This is teaching that is delivered online using tools like Zoom or MS Teams, as well as work that you do yourself using online teaching resources.
Independent study: This is the work you do in your own time including reading and research.
Part-time study
You can also study this course part-time.
Throughout your journey, you’ll be supported by dedicated academic staff, dissertation and placement supervisors, and our Learning Enhancement team. Whether through one-to-one guidance, small-group workshops or online feedback, we’re here to help you grow into an independent thinker ready to make a difference.
You will acquire skills and knowledge through variety of innovative assessments undertaking analysis of policy, strategy, diplomatic discourse and position papers, risk, critical evaluation and review in single and comparative contexts. Skills in literature and data base search and systematic review will also be imparted in class with exercise support. Appropriate research skills in various methods are integrated in the Research and Dissertation module and the Work Integrated Learning module.
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North London campus
Our north London campus is just 20 minutes from central London, giving you easy access to everything this vibrant city has to offer. Make the most of incredible professional opportunities, cultural experiences, and more affordable living, all within a supportive and close-knit campus community.
Learn moreFacilities and support
Our Sheppard Library has over 1000 study areas and 600 computer spaces
Student support
We offer lots of support to help you while you're studying including financial advice, wellbeing, mental health, and disability support.
Additional needs
We'll support you if you have additional needs such as sensory impairment or dyslexia. And if you want to find out whether Middlesex is the right place for you before you apply, get in touch with our Disability and Dyslexia team.
Wellness
Our specialist teams will support your mental health. We have free individual counselling sessions, workshops, support groups and useful guides.
Work while you study
Our Middlesex Unitemps branch will help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above. Visit the Middlesex Unitemps page.
Careers
How can the International Relations MA support your career?
You’ll be well-prepared for roles in the not-for-profit and Third Sector, including positions with national and international NGOs, charities, and community organisations. You’ll also have the skills and knowledge to work at a decision-making level in diplomacy, embassies, the United Nations, and global think tanks, as well as in business intelligence and political risk consultancy.
If you're interested in policy, you could explore roles with national governments, regional or local authorities, or international regulatory bodies. A career in politics is also a real possibility, some of our international graduates have successfully followed this path.
If you’re considering further study, this MA will also equip you with the critical thinking, research, and analytical skills needed for doctoral-level education.
Our alumni have gone on to achieve success in a variety of fields, including becoming elected politicians, civil servants, diplomatic staff in embassies, parliamentary assistants, journalists, and social media professionals.
If you choose to complete a credit-bearing placement as part of your studies, you’ll reflect on your experience through a personal diary and final report, giving you a chance to link theory with practice. We’ll also invite you to take part in an alumni project, where we follow and celebrate the career journeys of our graduates after they leave Middlesex.
Career paths
Career opportunities exist in diplomatic services and the public and voluntary sector, where international, regional organizations and NGOs often seek those with campaigning, policy and influencing skills. Furthermore, businesses throughout the world seek to employ people with knowledge, business intelligence and innovative skills required in the global political economy.
MDXworks
Our employability service, MDXworks will launch you into the world of work from the beginning of your course, with placements, projects and networking opportunities through our 1000+ links with industry and big-name employers in London and globally.
Our dedicated lifetime career support, like our business start-up support programme and funding for entrepreneurs, has been recognised with the following awards:
The top 20 UK universities for business leaders and entrepreneurs – Business Money, 2023
A top 10 university for producing CEOs – Novuana, 2023
Global alumni network
You’ll be studying with students from 122 countries who’ll become part of your personal global network. You'll learn how to work with a global mindset and make invaluable connections on your course for your chosen industry.
Work placements
You can choose to take the Work Integrated Learning module (SSC4060 – 60 credits) as an alternative to the traditional Dissertation module (SSC4994). This option allows you to complete a placement of approximately 44 days with a relevant organisation.
Your placement could be with an NGO focused on international relations, a research organisation, or a think tank engaged in global policy issues. Some of our past students have successfully secured placements with leading organisations, including Minority Rights Group International, the United Nations, and various think tanks and embassies in London.
This pathway offers you a unique opportunity to apply your academic knowledge in a real-world setting and gain valuable professional experience in the field of international relations.
Entry Requirements
At Middlesex, we're proud of how we recognise the potential of future students like you. We make fair and aspirational offers because we want you to aim high, and we’ll support you all the way. We’ll always be as flexible as possible and take into consideration any barriers you may have faced in your learning. And, if you don’t quite get the grades you hoped for, we’ll also look at more than your qualifications. Things like your work experience, other achievements and your personal statement.
Qualifications
For this course, ideally, we are looking for these qualifications:
- A 2:2 honours degree, or equivalent qualification, in a relevant social science or humanities subject – e.g. sociology, history, development studies, social policy, geography, philosophy, degrees in law, business studies, management, psychology and similar subjects that have some political components.
If you have relevant qualifications or work experience, we may be able to count this towards your entry requirements.
If you have degrees in other subject areas you will be considered if you have appropriate experience in working in government, public administration or international organisations (for example working in London embassies). You should submit a CV when you apply outlining your experience.
Personal statements
Make sure that you highlight your best qualities in your personal statement that are relevant to this course. Such as your ability to be forward-thinking, creative and collaborative.
Mature students (over 21)
We welcome applications from mature candidates, including those without formal qualifications if you can demonstrate relevant experience and ability.
Interviews
You won’t be required to attend an interview for this course.
We welcome students from the UK and all over the world. Join students from over 122 countries and discover why so many international students call our campus home:
- Quality teaching with top facilities plus flexible online learning
- Welcoming north London campus that's only 30 minutes from central London
- Work placements and networking with top London employers
- Award-winning career support to get you where you want to go after university.
Qualifications
We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the accepted qualifications on your country's support page. If you are unsure of the suitability of your qualifications or would like help with your application, please contact your nearest international office.
English language
You will need to meet our English language requirements. And, don’t worry If you don't meet our minimum English language requirements, as we offer a Pre-sessional English course.
Visas
To study with us in the UK, you might need a Student visa. Please check to see if this applies to you.
Applications for postgraduate study should be made directly to the university. Please visit our Postgraduate application page for further information and to apply.
Fees and funding
The fees below are for the 2025/26 academic year:
UK students1
Full-time students: £11,300
Part-time students per taught credit: £75
Part-time students per dissertation credit: £37
International students2
Full-time students: £18,000
Part-time students per taught credit: £120
Part-time students per dissertation credit: £60
Additional costs
The following study tools are included in your fees:
- Free access to resources, learning materials and software you need to succeed on your course
- Free laptop loans for up to 24 hours
- Free specialist software for your course
- Free printing for academic paperwork
- Free online training with LinkedIn Learning.
Financial support
We offer lots of support to help you with fees and living costs. Check out our guide to student life on a budget and find out more about postgraduate funding.
Postgraduate scholarships
You may be eligible for one of our scholarships including:
- The Alumni Postgraduate Award – as an undergraduate student continuing postgraduate studies at Middlesex, you can apply for 20% off your fees
- The Commonwealth Scholarship – full course fees, airfares and a living allowance
- The Chevening Scholarship – full course fees
- The European Academic Awards – £1000 to £7000 for students showing academic excellence
- Regional or International Merit Award –up to £2,000 towards course fees
For international students, we also have a limited number of other awards specific to certain regions, and work in partnership with funding providers in your country to help support you financially with your study.
Find out more about our postgraduate scholarships.
Fees disclaimers
1. UK fees: The university reserves the right to increase postgraduate tuition fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions. The tuition fees for part-time UK study are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.
2. International fees: Tuition fees are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.
Any annual increase in tuition fees as provided for above will be notified to students at the earliest opportunity in advance of the academic year to which any applicable inflationary rise may apply.
Get answers from our Unibuddy student ambassadors
View our range of student ambassadorsWe’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.
Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.
Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.
At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.