International Relations

University of Glasgow
Postgraduate MRes Full-time 12 Months Politics

About this course

This ESRC recognised research-training programme provides a broad and in-depth grounding in the study and methodologies of the most challenging problems our world currently faces, such as international conflict and instability, terrorism, climate change, or rapid globalisation. Building on a thorough understanding of international relations theory, our programme trains you in how to apply and leverage methods and research design to answer the most pressing societal questions of our time.

WHY THIS PROGRAMME

  • If you are planning to pursue a research-intensive career or doctoral studies, including under the ESRC 1+3 scheme, this programme is designed for you. This degree provides a pathway to ESRC sponsored postgraduate fellowships.

  • This programme offers training in what international relations has to say about some of the most challenging problems in international politics and equips you with the appropriate methods and a good understanding of research design to analyse political data.

  • The MRes covers common material with the MSc in International Relations and provides in-depth methodological training for those who seek to continue their studies with a PhD degree at doctoral level. It draws on expertise in the fields of international relations theory, normative international theory, international security, international organisations, non-state actors, human rights, humanitarian intervention, and international political economy.

  • You will have the opportunity to approach the subject from a variety of disciplinary approaches through courses across the School of Social & Political Sciences, School of Law, history and other subjects.

  • You will benefit from a number of research and teaching initiatives which touch on important international issues, including Global Security Roundtable, Global Security Network, Glasgow Centre for International Development, Glasgow Refugee, Asylum & Migration Network; and Glasgow Human Rights Network.

  • You will be able to participate in a 3-day study trip to Brussels to gain first hand experience on how international relations is done in practice and get access to a highly sought after job market. Past visits have included the European Commission, the European Parliament, NATO, Scotland House, and the World Bank.

  • You will gain a wide range of transferrable skills, including how to convey complex ideas and information effectively both orally and in writing, or how to analyse problems in international politics to inform the public debate.

  • International Relations at Glasgow is ranked 2nd in the UK by the Guardian University Guide 2025.

    PROGRAMME STRUCTURE You will take four core courses and two optional courses. You will attend lectures, seminars and tutorials and undertake independent research in the form of a dissertation.

    Core courses International Relations Theory Qualitative Research Methods Quantitative Data Analysis Research Design

    Optional courses may include Conflict Analysis China's International Politics Chinese Politics And Society Comparative Public Opinion Introduction to Human Rights Theories and Politics: A Critical Perspective Human Rights And Global Politics Humanitarian Intervention: Civilian or Sovereignty International Relations and Development International Security and Strategic Studies The Internet and Civil Society Media And Democracy Foreign Policy Analysis

    You can choose from a wide variety of courses in the School of Social and Political Sciences to achieve the remaining taught credits required to complete the programme. The Politics and International Relations, Central and Eastern European Studies, Sociology and Economic & Social History subjects all run a wide range of courses each academic year. Please note that the course options listed are an indicative list, and may not all be available in every academic year. The MRes International Relations can also be completed part-time.

    • Study Options

    This course is available in 2 study options:

    Part-time

    Duration: 24 Months

    Qualification: MRes

    Location: Glasgow

    Full-time Shown above

    Duration: 12 Months

    Qualification: MRes

    Location: Glasgow

    Career Prospects

    Graduates from this course typically go into the following occupations:

    2435 Professional/Chartered company secretaries
    3319 Protective service associate professionals
    2434 Business and related research professionals
    4113 Officers of non-governmental organisations
    4111 National government administrative occupations
    2439 Business, research and administrative professionals

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    Course Details

    Qualification
    Master of Research - MRes
    Study Mode
    Full-time
    Duration
    12 Months
    Start Date
    2025
    Academic Year
    2025
    Campus / Location
    Glasgow
    Scheme
    Postgraduate
    Subjects
    Politics

    Offered by

    University of Glasgow

    Glasgow

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