Course overview

We are living through a period of dramatic change in international politics. New security threats, terrorism, the rise of new economic powers in the East, the resurgence of Russia, and the spread of globalisation are all issues which demand urgent study. In addition, the integration and expansion of the EU have established the EU as an international player.

This masters course is an exciting opportunity to study such issues at an advanced level. A key feature of the degree is to integrate theoretical approaches into the study of key topics and themes such as national identity, governance, security. You will engage with the main debates in international relations and European integration and governance but also take a multi-disciplinary approach to specific topics.

Our MA International Relations and European Studies will enable you to acquire the necessary advanced knowledge and skills which you can use to:

• enhance your employability by extending your area of expertise beyond that of your first degree
• deepen your existing knowledge of international relations and/or European studies and specialise in particular areas such as security or governance or the external relations of the EU
• make yourself stand out in an increasingly competitive job market by acquiring skills which show an ability to research independently and study a contemporary topic at an advanced level
• go on to more advanced research and doctoral study

The course at Portsmouth is designed so that you do not have to have already studied either international relations or European studies. Students can use the course either to switch from another degree in social sciences, history, or law for example. Equally the range of specialisations offered means that students who already have an undergraduate degree in the area can further deepen their knowledge.

Unlike many other international relations degrees the Portsmouth course integrates theory with the range of themes and topics. In addition the course benefits from a strong tradition of multi-disciplinarity at Portsmouth. There is a wide range of area expertise in European and international affairs in the Centre for European and International Studies. This provides a wide range of coverage for both the taught units and the dissertation. As well as an EU specialist we have specialists on individual member states such as France, Germany and Spain. We also have specialists on North and sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, Russia and the former Soviet Union, the United States and Latin America.

The course is very much informed by the research expertise of members of staff who are active members of The Centre for European and International Studies Research, the largest centre of European Studies in the country. In the latest 2008 UK Research Assessment Exercise Portsmouth was rated top for research in European Studies (Research Power Index).

Course content

The course is structured so that relevant theoretic approaches are integrated within the range of units rather than separated out into specific units. A range of core units ensure that students engage with the key debates and issues international relations such as the changing nature of security, the nature of global governance. In addition they address the key debates and issues in the governance of the European Union. Beyond that the course is so structured through a range of options that you can choose to specialise more in international relations or European Studies if you wish or concentrate on governance, look at the wider Europe including the former Soviet Union, or concentrate on the EU as an external actor.

Course structure

All students take the following core units:-

• Global Governance (Core)
• European Union: Institutions, Law and Theories (Core)
• Contemporary Security in International Relations: Providers and Challenges
• Dissertation/Major Project (Core)

They also choose 1 out of the following:-

• Europe: Integration and Democratisation (Option)
• France and Africa: From the Colonial to the Contemporary Era (Option)
• Nation and Identity in Europe (Option)
• Europe and the World (Option)
• Policy and Networks: The Governance of the EU (Option)
• Independent Project (Option)
• Work-based Learning (Option)

September to December

Global Governance (Core)

This module introduces the main theoretical, institutional and normative controversies of global governance, and encourages the application of theory through a mixture of lectures and student-led research seminars.

European Union: Institutions, Law and Theories (Core)

This unit introduces students to the institutions, law and theories of the European Union. It equips them with the necessary tools for understanding the current European Union. It also forms a useful basis for the more specialized units on the operation of the EU and its policies - Policy and Networks: the Governance of the EU and Europe and the World.

Europe: Integration and Democratisation (Option)

The unit will analyse significant developments, themes and debates in the history of Europe and the present-day European Union from 1945 to the present day. It will consider not only the development of the EU but the problems and causes of the collapse of socialism in Eastern Europe, the subsequent transition to democracy and the problems of the enlargement of the EU both for EU institutions and the new member states.

France and Africa: From the Colonial to the Contemporary Era (Option)

This unit will combine coverage of the major historiographical debates on empire, colonialism and post-colonialism with an assessment of the key themes and moments in modern and contemporary Francophone African history. Through a series of case studies, students will explore Francophone Africa within a broad trans-national context, analysing not just the relationship with France, but also the impact of rival empires, the Cold War, pan-African and pan-Arab nationalism and globalisation.

January to March

Contemporary Security in International Relations: Providers and Challenges (Core)

This unit examines the key issues, concepts and understandings of contemporary security politics in International Relations.

Nation and Identity in Europe (Option)

This unit examines the place of nationalism and national identity in contemporary Europe. It also analyses the related development of immigration and citizenship policies across Europe, examining the factors which have shaped and influenced their nature and progress.

Europe and the World (Option)

Adopting an ontologically broad conception of Europe, and an interdisciplinary approach for its study, ‘Europe and the World’ examines Europe’s relations with the contemporary international and global order. In part 1 of the unit, students are introduced to key issues, themes and analytical approaches relevant to studying Europe’s relations with the wider international and global order. This provides the necessary preparation for part 2 of the unit in which students are required to develop specialised knowledge in the context of regionally focused and/or issue specific study.

Policy and Networks: The Governance of the EU (Option)

This unit seeks, through 3 student-led, linked learning modules, to provide an experiential, comprehensive understanding of the EU policy making process. It reveals the inter relationship between supranational, transnational and intergovernmental structures of the process, and provides the opportunity for both a reflexive and theoretical appreciation of the EU policy complex.

Independent Project (Option)

This unit allows students to develop and carry out an independent research project which may result in a traditional essay or take other forms: country case study, policy analysis, and briefing on a contemporary issue. The precise nature of the artefact must be equivalent to a 4,000-4,500-word essay and must be agreed with the unit coordinator, who will provide guidance on possible topics/themes. The project will be particularly attractive for those wishing to develop interests outside of but relevant to the curriculum on taught units. It is not envisage that students would take this unit if the topic and assessment can be delivered equally effectively within one of the established taught units. The project must fall within the research expertise of current staff (information about staff specialism will be made available in semester 1). Students will be assigned a project supervisor who will be available for email and one-to-one tutorials. This option is very flexible as to tutor contact and may therefore be particularly attractive for students studying in part-time mode or students suffering from time constraints.

Work-based Learning (Option)

This unit, by a process of negotiation and completion of a contract, will provide an opportunity for the student to develop a topic or area of interest within their sphere of work. The student will produce a work-based report which either has the object of suggesting improvements and developments in their work and organisation or centres on the analysis of a particular issue within or related to the work situation. The report will be expected to conform to the rigour of academic analysis in terms of research and presentation. It will also require elements of reflection on aspects of the work situation and the ability to locate this within a wider analytical framework. It will develop the required skills, knowledge and ability to negotiate a learning contract and to critically analyse a topic of interest to them and their organisation.

September to August

Dissertation/Major Project (Core)

This unit is designed to enable students to design and complete an extended advanced study which has clear and specific aims and intentions informed by current issues or insights at the forefront of the relevant academic discipline and/or area of professional practice. It will be necessary for students to undertake significant personal, independent research using a range of well justified and appropriately applied methods dependent upon the aims and focus of the dissertation/project. An initial proposal will contribute to the overall mark but the purpose of this artefact will be primarily formative

Teaching and assessment

The course is delivered through a combination of lectures and seminars in the afternoons and evenings. Part-time students who may be in employment are usually able to structure their course over two years such that tuition is concentrated on no more than two afternoons and evenings per week. Assessment for most units on the course is in the form of an extended essay or project plus a 15,000 word dissertation at the end.

Career prospects

The enlargement of the EU to the East, the further integration of the EU and the emergence of the EU as an international actor have meant that more than ever there is a demand for people with an advanced knowledge of European affairs and the workings of the EU. In addition, the radical changes in the new security environment, new threats and challenges, the dominance of global issues such as energy and climate change and the need to address these problems through international organizations and cooperation have also raised the demand for people with expertise in these international issues and approaches. This applies to a whole range of areas such as business, local and central government and international institutions.

This course therefore provides an excellent basis for those seeking careers in such areas where interdisciplinary knowledge is required. It can be used by students coming from a different background to gain the necessary expertise or it can be used by those with an existing background to deepen their area of expertise with a particular career focus on international and European affairs in mind.

In addition, the course provides advanced training in a range of transferable skills which can be applied in different areas of employment. Students could go on to work in various areas including local government, the UK civil service, foreign government and European and international institutions, NGOs, teaching and further research as well as applying their expertise in the commercial sector.

Facilities and features

The MA is based in the School of Social, Historical and Literary Studies within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. The School is located on the historic Milldam site, a short walk from the main University Library. The Library is open from 8am to midnight seven days a week (with reduced hours during vacations) and is a European Documentation Centre. The Library contains more than half a million printed books. You will also have access to some 16,000 online journals and are eligible to join the UK libraries plus scheme, which is a cooperative venture between higher education libraries that makes it easier for you to use academic libraries nearer to home or work. The MA International Relations and European Studies also has a dedicated subject librarian to assist you. You will have good access to computer facilities at the Library, the Milldam site and at the Park Building in the daytime and evenings.

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for MA International Relations and European Studies are shown above, for more detailed information please contact:

Department: School of Social, Historical and Literary Studies
Tel: +44 (0)23 9284 8299
Email: humanities.admissions@port.ac.uk