Course Summary
This masters degree in International Relations will equip you with the tools to analyse key global challenges
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
Your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not your first language, we recommend that you will need a minimum score of 6.5 under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see the IELTS website for details. If you’re not sure whether your English skills are good enough, there is some help and guidance at our Skills for OU Study website.
Application Details
See Course Web Page link for next start date.
Fees
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Enterprising
Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Career Progression
This masters degree will give you advanced knowledge and a critical understanding of contemporary global changes, preparing you for jobs in International Relations. It develops your social science research skills, applying these across multiple projects and an independently researched dissertation. Students graduating from this degree will have demonstrated analysis of complex situations, finding, evaluating and using various sources, and presenting work to different audiences.
The MA will be relevant to International Relations jobs in a range of sectors including the civil service, international organisations and charities, think-tank and policy research, and serves as excellent preparation for further academic research (e.g. a PhD).
Duration
How long it takes
This qualification has a required study order. You will be able to complete this masters qualification within two years by studying one module each year.