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Overview
Explore the complexities of contemporary world affairs on this MA International Relations, which you can study full-time or part-time alongside work or military service via distance learning.
The University of Portsmouth is ranked the number 1 modern university for research quality in Area Studies
Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
You'll delve into the issues central to national and international security and conflict, including terrorism and political violence, weapons of mass destruction (WMD), and the impact of social movements, political resistance, cyber activism and rebellion.
With access to the entire course online, you'll learn how to challenge conventional thinking, develop your own perspectives, and take part in key debates about international relations, civil society and global politics. You'll sharpen your ability to analyse and critically assess, both in person and in the writing of reports, essays and policy briefs.
After the course, you'll be ready to contribute positively towards matters at the heart of global conflict and international security and defence. You'll be well prepared to progress further within a current military career, or for roles in security, development, social policy, governance, advocacy and communications.
Prefer to study on campus?
If you'd rather attend university in person, you can study MA International Relations on campus.
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.
Course highlights
- Study essential debates, such as how nuclear and other security threats have evolved, whether global civil society can promote security, development and rights, how terrorism and political violence shape domestic and political affairs, and the role the EU endeavours to play in global politics
- Develop specialist knowledge in areas relating to security, defence and international conflict
- Learn from expert academics who are contributing to the latest international relations research, and hear expert guest lecturers respond to current global events, such as the conflict in Ukraine
- Be able to immerse yourself in an international relations topic of your choice through your dissertation
Benefits of distance learning
- Work from anywhere, at your own pace, in your own time – with interactive online learning materials hosted on our virtual learning environment, Moodle, and available 24/7 on any device – find out how distance learning works
- Access to over 600,000 ebooks, 55,000 online journals, digital newspapers and a postal loan service from our University Library – see all library support for distance learners
- Invitations to online forums where you can discuss your studies with other students and your lecturers
- Access to all student support services via email, phone, online chat or video call
The support was quite tremendous. It was very encouraging, [...] it made me feel like I was part of the university physically, but in a virtual environment. It was very exciting.
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsModules
Full-time
Core modules
By evaluating key theoretical frameworks, you'll develop your own informed perspectives on issues defining global cooperation and conflict - ranging from human rights to climate change.
Through applying these lenses to analyse the role of state and non-state actors in world affairs, you'll grapple with the pressing questions confronting diplomats and policymakers daily.
You'll probe shifts that have challenged governance and stability across the world, alongside their roots in conflict, inequality and past policy.
By reappraising strategic concepts alongside contemporary cases, you'll gain insight on threats from terrorism to cyberwarfare, while also evaluating the competencies of security providers.
Optional modules
With academic guidance, you'll explore a unique topic within a field of your interests that fits the parameters of your intended Master’s exit award.
You'll bring together everything you’ve learned to design exhaustive methodologies, conduct systematic research, and communicate your ideas professionally in your dissertation.
With academic guidance, you'll explore a unique topic within a field of your interests that fits the parameters of your intended Master’s exit award.
You'll bring together everything you’ve learned to design exhaustive methodologies, conduct systematic research, and communicate your ideas professionally in your dissertation.
As emerging powers contest US dominance and transatlantic relations fray, the European Union, its member states, and other European states like the United Kingdom face complex threats spanning culture, politics, economics, and security.
By evaluating key debates around projecting power and influence, you'll analyse systemic challenges to foreign relations, governance, and normative commitments.
Through interactive discussions and research focused on Europe's engagements in different world regions, you'll propose policy responses to current issues.
Grassroot political activist movements, empowered by communications technology, have grown exponentially. International NGOs are highly visible advocates in a range of policy areas. They are also important service providers, particularly in fragile and post-conflict states.
These developments raise interesting questions about the normative quality of 'global civil society' and the implications of civil society activism for the state system.
On this module, you'll explore the role of civil society organisations as changemakers and service providers on issues from sustainability to justice.
You'll investigate grassroots campaigners alongside major international NGOs - evaluating their tactics, contributions and accountability.
By evaluating changing technology and methods of warfare, you'll engage critically with debates about the evolving nature of security threats.
Gaining creative, reflective knowledge, you'll analyse policy issues connected to deterring modern dangers from states and non-state actors.
You’ll critically engage with different analytical and problem-solving methods to understand data, how it has been gathered by others and how to gather data yourself.
You’ll also learn to identify which methods of analysis have been used in existing research as well as how to employ particular methods of analysis yourself within your dissertation.
You'll critically engage with different analytical and problem-solving methods to understand data, how it has been gathered by others and how to gather data yourself.
You'll also learn to identify which methods of analysis have been used in existing research as well as how to employ particular methods of analysis yourself within your dissertation.
Through diverse case studies and conceptual frameworks, you’ll analyse civil resistance across a number of contexts, from liberal democracies to repressive regimes.
By evaluating protests on issues from globalisation to state corruption, you’ll gain critical insight into movement formation, tactical repertoires, motivational debates, and causes and consequences surrounding grassroots mobilisation and rebellion.
Part-time
Core modules
By evaluating key theoretical frameworks, you'll develop your own informed perspectives on issues defining global cooperation and conflict - ranging from human rights to climate change.
Through applying these lenses to analyse the role of state and non-state actors in world affairs, you'll grapple with the pressing questions confronting diplomats and policymakers daily.
Optional modules
You'll probe shifts that have challenged governance and stability across the world, alongside their roots in conflict, inequality and past policy.
By reappraising strategic concepts alongside contemporary cases, you'll gain insight on threats from terrorism to cyberwarfare, while also evaluating the competencies of security providers.
By evaluating changing technology and methods of warfare, you'll engage critically with debates about the evolving nature of security threats.
Gaining creative, reflective knowledge, you'll analyse policy issues connected to deterring modern dangers from states and non-state actors.
Through diverse case studies and conceptual frameworks, you’ll analyse civil resistance across a number of contexts, from liberal democracies to repressive regimes.
By evaluating protests on issues from globalisation to state corruption, you’ll gain critical insight into movement formation, tactical repertoires, motivational debates, and causes and consequences surrounding grassroots mobilisation and rebellion.
Optional modules
With academic guidance, you'll explore a unique topic within a field of your interests that fits the parameters of your intended Master’s exit award.
You'll bring together everything you’ve learned to design exhaustive methodologies, conduct systematic research, and communicate your ideas professionally in your dissertation.
With academic guidance, you'll explore a unique topic within a field of your interests that fits the parameters of your intended Master’s exit award.
You'll bring together everything you’ve learned to design exhaustive methodologies, conduct systematic research, and communicate your ideas professionally in your dissertation.
As emerging powers contest US dominance and transatlantic relations fray, the European Union, its member states, and other European states like the United Kingdom face complex threats spanning culture, politics, economics, and security.
By evaluating key debates around projecting power and influence, you'll analyse systemic challenges to foreign relations, governance, and normative commitments.
Through interactive discussions and research focused on Europe's engagements in different world regions, you'll propose policy responses to current issues.
Grassroot political activist movements, empowered by communications technology, have grown exponentially. International NGOs are highly visible advocates in a range of policy areas. They are also important service providers, particularly in fragile and post-conflict states.
These developments raise interesting questions about the normative quality of 'global civil society' and the implications of civil society activism for the state system.
On this module, you'll explore the role of civil society organisations as changemakers and service providers on issues from sustainability to justice.
You'll investigate grassroots campaigners alongside major international NGOs - evaluating their tactics, contributions and accountability.
You'll probe shifts that have challenged governance and stability across the world, alongside their roots in conflict, inequality and past policy.
By reappraising strategic concepts alongside contemporary cases, you'll gain insight on threats from terrorism to cyberwarfare, while also evaluating the competencies of security providers.
By evaluating changing technology and methods of warfare, you'll engage critically with debates about the evolving nature of security threats.
Gaining creative, reflective knowledge, you'll analyse policy issues connected to deterring modern dangers from states and non-state actors.
Through diverse case studies and conceptual frameworks, you’ll analyse civil resistance across a number of contexts, from liberal democracies to repressive regimes.
By evaluating protests on issues from globalisation to state corruption, you’ll gain critical insight into movement formation, tactical repertoires, motivational debates, and causes and consequences surrounding grassroots mobilisation and rebellion.
You’ll critically engage with different analytical and problem-solving methods to understand data, how it has been gathered by others and how to gather data yourself.
You’ll also learn to identify which methods of analysis have been used in existing research as well as how to employ particular methods of analysis yourself within your dissertation.
You'll critically engage with different analytical and problem-solving methods to understand data, how it has been gathered by others and how to gather data yourself.
You'll also learn to identify which methods of analysis have been used in existing research as well as how to employ particular methods of analysis yourself within your dissertation.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, course content is revised and regularly reviewed. This may result in changes being made in order to reflect developments in research, learning from practice and changes in policy at both national and local levels.
Why study a Master's in International Relations?
Meet current students and lecturers from the MA International Relations courses at the University of Portsmouth.
Ed Stoddard: The International Relations course is focused on a number of the really big issues that affect us as societies. Whether that's equality, whether that's poverty or whether that's security issues like terrorism and political violence. You know, we're looking at a series of really important contemporary issues that we read about every day in the newspaper. The reasons that students would want to study these courses is the flexibility.
Amanda: The schedule that I was able to work around with the teaching classes and the lectures, I really was able to fit all of those things into my daily life. I have a lot of children and a busy schedule and going back to school almost 20 years later, I just needed a programme that really fit into my schedule.
Samia: I had a great experience doing this distance learning. The lectures were all very available, very responsive. They helped in all aspects of learning, not just their specific modules. So I had a great experience.
Max: I think Portsmouth is such a unique city. Being by the sea is lovely, but you've also got all of the amenities that you'd expect from a big city.
Ed Stoddard: The university is literally at the heart of the city. I think also the university has a really strong focus on student support and a really strong focus on teaching quality.
Amanda: I absolutely felt well supported, both by students and colleagues and by the professors.
Amy: I did feel really supported. There's always a chance to kind of talk to your lecturers outside of class about what you were struggling with, talk about what you might not understand. There's a real space for students helping students. We have forums, we share Ed Stoddard: The International Relations course is focussed on a number of the really big issues that affect us as societies. Whether that's equality, whether that's poverty or whether that's security issues like terrorism and political violence. You know, we're looking at a series of really important contemporary issues that we read about every day in the newspaper. The reasons that students would want to study these courses is the flexibility.
Amanda: The schedule that I was able to work around with the teaching classes and the lectures, I really was able to fit all of those things into my daily life. I have a lot of children and a busy schedule and going back to school almost 20 years later, I just needed a programme that really fit into my schedule.
Samia: I had a great experience doing this distance learning. The lectures were all very available, very responsive. They helped in all aspects of learning, not just their specific modules. So I had a great experience.
Max: I think Portsmouth is such a unique city. Being by the sea is lovely, but you've also got all of the amenities that you'd expect from a big city.
Ed Stoddard: The university is literally at the heart of the city. I think also the university has a really strong focus on student support and a really strong focus on teaching quality.
Amanda: I absolutely felt well supported, both by students and colleagues and by the professors.
Amy: I did feel really supported. There's always a chance to kind of talk to your lecturers outside of class about what you were struggling with, talk about what you might not understand. There's a real space for students helping students. We have forums, we share WhatsApp numbers, there's always space to kind of help each other and see different perspectives.
Samia: My favourite part of the course was the online seminars, which we did with fellow colleagues. We got together, heard from different people with different backgrounds. It was just very interesting and exciting.
Amanda: I ended up learning so much through writing my dissertation and it was a scary assignment in the beginning, but working with the professors and the supervisors for the dissertation just made it a wonderful experience.
Amy: I love how all the lecturers and all of the professors do their own research as well as teach, and that's what I really wanted to get involved in, and that's why I chose Portsmouth.
Ed Stoddard: There are a lot of different career opportunities, opportunities in international organisations, international businesses, the Foreign Office, the Foreign Service and there's also a lot of opportunities and things like research and risk analysis. A lot of trajectories that lead towards really exciting careers.
Amanda: The Master's of International Relations at Portsmouth definitely gave me what I needed for the next step in my career. Throughout the course, learning everything that I did and speaking with the professors, even the other students, it really did prepare me for what I wanted to do next.
Max: I felt this course is really good, especially where I'm looking to go to, which was teaching afterwards, and it was a really good way of developing the skillset to be able to really understand and to attack a topic. So I felt there was always a good opportunity to develop.
Samia: I feel very well equipped for the future right now because not only did I gain a lot of information and knowledge, but also I know how to go about getting information and knowledge. So I feel very prepared. I'm ready to go.
Careers and opportunities
Careers this Master’s prepares you for
There is high demand across a range of professions for those with a solid foundation in international relations and an unbiased global outlook. This International Relations Master's degree will give you invaluable insight into international organisations and the challenges they face, while enabling you to learn the skills to affect change, such as policy development, strategy and communication.
Once you graduate, you'll have the knowledge and skill set to advance your career in the Armed Forces, security or national defence, or to pursue a new direction in a related field.
I founded and direct an NGO that works throughout Europe but I live in the United States. I found the modules to be challenging and rewarding, the professors to be authentic and kind, and the program to be flexible and thorough. This experience was one of a lifetime for me and I am thrilled with my choice of the University of Portsmouth and would recommend the DL program to everyone!
Graduates of this course have gone on to work for organisations such as the:
- Armed Forces
- Civil Service (Foreign and Commonwealth Office)
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL)
- Ministry of Defence (MoD)
Graduates of this course have gone on to work in areas such as:
- national, European and international state institutions
- political parties
- political lobbyists
- NGOs
- think tanks
- international development
- international human rights
- security and risk analysis
- foreign affairs analysis
- political communication and journalism
Career planning
During your course you'll have expert career support from your tutors and from our Careers and Employability Centre, which you can access for 5 years after you graduate.
You'll benefit from:
- Networking events
- 1-to-1 appointments
- CV and cover letter advice
- Interview preparation and practice
- Workshops to enhance your employability skills
- Recruitment events including the Student and Graduate Opportunities Fair
- Support starting your own business
How you'll spend your time
We recognise that you'll probably be juggling more demands when you do your Master's degree, as you may be working or you may have family responsibilities.
We'll give you as much indication here as we can of how much time you'll need to spend in online lectures and seminars and how many hours you can expect to spend in self-directed study, but please note that these indications are always subject to change.
Course structure
This Master's degree will take:
- 1 year (full-time study)
- 2 years (part-time study)
You can expect:
- 5-6 optional live online seminars for each module you study, held at times when as many students as possible can attend. All core material is available online at all times so you can create your own study schedule around work or other commitments.
- 36 hours of independent study each week if you study full-time, or 18 hours each week if you study part-time.
In the last 3 months of the course you'll be focusing on your research project.
Teaching
Master's study is deeper and more specialised than an undergraduate degree. This means you'll focus on something that really matters to you and your career as you work closely with academics committed to the subject.
You'll spend more time in independent study and research than you did for your undergraduate degree.
This Master's in International Relations is delivered by supported distance learning. You will receive high-quality course materials via Moodle, our online learning environment.
You'll get to chat with fellow students, discuss and present your work and keep in touch with tutors. You'll get plenty of support throughout your studies, including help on writing and structuring essays, and how to undertake research. You'll also have the opportunity to join live online events as part of our Academic Enrichment Program.
You'll need access to a computer and a web connection. You may be able to access some of the resources through a tablet or smartphone, with limited functionality. You don't need to be especially computer literate, although typing skills are useful.
Teaching expertise
The teaching staff on this Master's in International Relations are internationally recognised and actively researching in the areas they teach.
They're members of international professional associations for Politics and International Relations, such as the Political Studies Association, British International Studies Association, International Studies Association, European Consortium for Political Research and European Union Studies Association.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed through:
- academic essays
- briefing papers and reports
- blog posts
- narrated presentations
- dissertation
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark. This includes group discussions, peer review activities, and virtual seminars.
You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
Teaching staff
These are some of the expert staff who'll teach you on this course:
Media ready expert
Professor Wolfram Kaiser
International Relations and Politics research at the University of Portsmouth
Ed Stoddard, Reader in International Security, explains how cutting-edge research like his (into the changing character of warfare) informs our courses and talks about some of the career opportunities this course can lead to.
Ed Stoddard: So the research I do here at the University is focused on the changing character of warfare.
Over the last few years I've been particularly focusing on questions to do with terrorism and violent extremism in the West African region, especially around the Lake Chad area.
And we use that research and distribute it at conferences and events with policymakers, both here in the UK, but also in West Africa as well. Armed conflicts are so destructive and, you know, I think it's incumbent on us as researchers who work in this area to try and think of ways they can be avoided, of course, in the first instance.
But if, when those armed conflicts do happen, try and think of measures that we can put in place to reduce their impact.
So the research connects with students here in a number of different ways. It supports the work they do in terms of their dissertations, but also directly into the modules that they study.
You know, our research, once we've done it and we've written the papers and we've publish the outputs, that gets then translated into the lectures that we deliver. So they will be directly learning and benefiting from that research that we've done out in the field in their studies and contributing to their degree.
There's a really broad range of different career opportunities that are available to students. The Foreign Office, the Civil Service and more broadly, the Ministry of Defence.
But also we have students who go to international organisations, NGOs, charities that work internationally in conflict zones, and we also have quite a lot of students who go into various research roles and risk analysis roles.
Portsmouth is a really exciting and vibrant city and the university is literally at the heart of the city. I think also the university has a really strong focus on student support and a really strong focus on teaching quality.
And I know that my colleagues spend very considerable amount of that time working to make sure that the experience for Portsmouth students is a really brilliant one. And I think those are some of the key reasons why students who are here really enjoy their degrees.
Term dates
September start
The Master's academic year runs from September to the following September. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter. Over the summer you'll be writing your project / dissertation.
January start
Courses that start in January have the same amount of teaching as September-start courses, but they normally run over a longer time period.
January-start courses normally run between 14–18 months, beginning in January and ending in the spring / summer of the following year. There are breaks at Christmas, Easter and in the summer. In the last few months you’ll be writing your project / dissertation.
Supporting you
Master's study is more focused on independent learning than undergraduate study, but you'll get lots of support via video and phone from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to postgraduate study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your Master's.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
You'll have help from a team of faculty learning development tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.
They can help with:
- Improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
- Delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
- Understanding and using assignment feedback
- Managing your time and workload
- Revision and exam techniques
As well as support from faculty staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University's Academic Skills Unit (ASK).
ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:
- Academic writing
- Note taking
- Time management
- Critical thinking
- Presentation skills
- Referencing
- Working in groups
- Revision, memory and exam techniques
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
The Maths Café offers advice and assistance with mathematical skills in a friendly, informal environment. You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your maths skills at a workshop or use our online resources.
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees (September 2024/ January 2025 start)
- Full-time: £8,900 (may be subject to annual increase)
- Part-time: £4,450 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- Full time: £8,900 (may be subject to annual increase)
- Part-time: £4,450 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
These figures both include the Transition Scholarship for EU students.
- Full-time: £8,900 (may be subject to annual increase)
- Part-time: £4,450 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
University of Portsmouth graduates may receive a 20% alumni tuition fee discount.
Fees are subject to annual increase. Read our tuition fees terms and conditions.
You'll be able to pay your fees in instalments. Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Funding your studies
Explore how to fund your studies, including available scholarships and bursaries.
If you're a UK student, you may be eligible for a Government Postgraduate Master's Loan, which you can use to help with course fees and living costs.
If you are a member of the Armed Forces, you may also be eligible for the Ministry of Defence's ELCAS (Enhanced Learning Credits Administration Service) funding.
Loans, scholarships and bursaries
Browse funding such as the Government Postgraduate Loan, our scholarships for new and returning students, and subject specific loans.
Funding for international students
Learn more about sponsorships, scholarships and loans for students applying from outside of the UK.
Fees and funding for Master's courses
Explore Master's funding options, including loans, scholarships, bursaries and more.
Entry requirements
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.
September 2024 / January 2025 start
Qualifications or experience
- A minimum of a second-class honours degree in Politics, International Relations, Peace Studies, Sociology, History, or another relevant subject. Equivalent (directly relevant to course content and extensive) professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered.
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will be considered, such as military service, previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 (or equivalent) with no component score below 6.0.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
How to apply
Unlike undergraduate applications, which go through UCAS, applications for this Master's course are made directly to us.
There's no deadline for applications to this course. We accept applications right up until the start dates in September and January, as long as there are places available. If you wait until your start month to apply, you may find that the course is full.
You can find more advice about applying in our Master's application checklist. International students and current students and recent graduates of the University of Portsmouth also have some different application options, which are detailed below.
Extra information for international students
If you're an international student, you can apply directly to us using the same application form as UK students.
You could also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region. To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Ready to apply?
Start this course in September 2024
Start this course in January 2025
I'm a current Portsmouth student, or a recent Portsmouth graduate
If you're currently in your final year of study at Portsmouth, or you graduated since July 2023, you're eligible to make a fast track application. You'll have:
- a shorter application form to complete
- access to the 20% Alumni fee discount
- a guaranteed conditional offer, for most Master's courses
After you apply
Once we receive your application, we may ask you for further information. We will then either make you an offer or suggest alternatives if your application is unsuccessful.
You'll usually get a decision within 10 working days, so you shouldn't have to wait too long. Some courses have an interview stage – we'll let you know if you need to prepare for one.
Learn more about how we assess your application.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.