Politics and International Relations (International Relations)

Focused on international relations, this fascinating course considers how the world works, the global concerns, politics and interactions between different nation states, organisations and individuals. Conducting your own action research and indepth dissertation, you can choose from a wide range of optional modules, capitalising on our leading expertise in human rights, equality and discrimination, diplomacy, security studies, British politics, European integration, comparative politics, political theory, and more. Both the MA and MRes, which develops indepth research knowledge and skills, prepare you for an academic or professional career focused on international relations, here in the UK or anywhere in the world.

Course summary

Pandemics, terrorism, environmental and human rights concerns are just some of the many challenge facing today’s globalised world, which call for better cooperation and understanding between nationstates and nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) in areas such as politics, economics, and security.

There is an increasing demand in government, nonprofits and academia for professionals skilled in politics and international relations – two subject specialisms in which Keele has enjoyed a longstanding reputation for teaching and research excellence.

International relations has been taught here for over 50 years, founded by Professor Alan James, one of the first chairs of the British International Studies Association. While some of the best known political scientists in the UK and Europe have worked at Keele since the 1950s, including Samuel Finer, Jean Blondel, Hugh Berrington and Jack Hayward.

The flexible structure of our suite of MA/MRes Politics and International Relations programmes provides a high degree of focus, enabling you to engage with specific issues and carry out research into subjects of interest and relevance. You can build a tailored, systematic programme of study, choosing from our diverse collection of four different pathways – in Global Security, Politics, US Politics and International Relations – as well as a wide range of module choices. We also offer an MSc in International Diplomacy.

On this International Relations pathway, you will gain a thorough grounding in the philosophical and practical issues underpinning study and research in Politics and International Relations. You’ll also have opportunities to explore cuttingedge, contemporary international relations issues and their impact on policy, commerce, security, quality of life and the environment. For example, Chinese environmental and foreign policy, European Union environmental policy, maritime security, the experience and portrayal of warfare, and so on.

Sharing experiences and studying alongside students from all the world, you’ll become part of a dynamic academic community, which benefits from small class sizes, strong studentstaff relations and expert research supervision. As well as the indepth research carried out for your dissertation, the action research project allows you to investigate a specific issue or topic of relevance to your chosen pathway. Past students on the international relations pathway have, for example, examined Iran’s foreign policy towards postinvasion Iraq and feminist foreign policy in India.

We also offer stimulating programme of extracurricular seminars and workshops, which provide important opportunities for learning, networking and collegial debate on contemporary political and global issues. Previous high profile speakers have included the High Commissioner of the Republic of Maldives discussing diplomacy and climate change, and the Ministry of Defence’s Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence on the challenges of assessing intelligence.

The course is likely to be of interest to a wide range of graduates and professionals interested in pursuing research or professional careers related to development, social policy, governance, diplomacy, advocacy, security and communications. The MRes in particular, with its greater focus on research, provides an excellent foundation for further research, doctoral (PhD) training or academia, here in the UK, Europe or the rest of the world.

We need to make sure that your level of English is good enough for you to study at Keele University. On this page you will find a list of the English Language qualifications we accept. For UK students, we normally ask for a minimum of a grade 4/C in GCSE English Language. For EU and International students, we accept qualifications from several countries, as well as a range of international qualifications and tests.

Students who need a Visa to study in the UK must meet both the University entry requirements as well as those of the UK Home Office (UKVI). For example English Language Tests (eg IELTS) must be dated within the two years immediately preceding the programme start date as set out in any offer letter issued by the University and different tests cannot be combined. 

1. Find the course that's right for you
2. Visit Keele - come and see what Keele has to offer at an Open Day or take a virtual tour
3. Apply online via UCAS - see above for details and UCAS deadlines
4. Receive your offer - offers will normally be made by the end of March if you applied by the January UCAS deadline
5. Attend an Applicant Visit Day - this is your opportunity to have a 'taster' of life at Keele
6. Make your choice - UCAS will advise you when you need to decide upon your 1st and 2nd university choice
7. Apply for accommodation - once you've accepted your offer you can apply for accommodation
8. Arrange your finances - register and apply online if you wish to receive a student loan
9. Results day - your university place will be confirmed based upon meeting your entry requirements, along with your accommodation
10. Clearing hotline - if you apply after 30 June or do not hold any offers, you can go through Clearing to find a university place
11. Enrolment week - we'll send your Keele IT account details and enrolment details so that you can start your university journey with us