International Security MA MA

What is security, how do we analyse it, and how is it achieved? Is it possible to define and achieve a more secure world?

Conflict, competition and instability are increasingly common themes in international affairs today. Whether manifested in immediately recognisable modern forms - such as interstate warfare across borders and over territories - or in novel forms like cyberwarfare, water scarcity or disinformation campaigning, insecurity never feels far away. Security, then, is prized by both politicians and publics alike.

But what is security, how do we analyse it, and how is it achieved? Is it possible to define and achieve a more secure world?

Our MA International Security helps you to ask, and to answer, all of these questions.

Conflict, competition and instability are increasingly common themes in international affairs today. Whether manifested in immediately recognisable modern forms - such as interstate warfare across borders and over territories - or in novel forms like cyberwarfare, water scarcity or disinformation campaigning, insecurity never feels far away. Security, then, is prized by both politicians and publics alike.

But what is security, how do we analyse it, and how is it achieved? Is it possible to define and achieve a more secure world?

Our MA International Security helps you to ask, and to answer, all of these questions.

Taught by active researchers in security studies and related fields, our MA International Security will give you an expert-level knowledge in areas of human and international security, research skills and global issues.

Modules deliver content on thematic areas within the discipline. You will learn about regional conflicts, defined geographically, pertaining, for example, to Eastern Europe, the South China Sea, or the Sahel. You will also learn about global threats to international security, such as the challenges of maintaining industrial supply chains, the problems created by climate change, or the epistemic crisis exacerbated by digital media. You will also learn theories of conflict analysis, how they originated and how they are applied, enabling you to define your own academic research projects and to explore new, poorly understood sources of insecurity.

The course is taught and assessed entirely online and asynchronously, giving you the freedom to study anytime, anywhere. Course tutors will provide you with weekly tasks and activities, as well as bespoke learning resources, all designed with your final assessments and ultimate success in mind. The International Studies and History team at the University of Staffordshire is practised in delivering via distance learning, and will be present and approachable for you throughout your MA; you will be offered regular guidance and feedback. You will also join an international and professional cohort of fellow students who will offer peer-to-peer support and camaraderie.

You will have the choice of studying the core MA International Security, or to specialise in a branch of Security Studies by selecting one of our three pathways:

• Russian Studies
• Contemporary China
• Intelligence

Each pathway comes with a specialist module, and students on a pathway will write their final dissertation project on a subject related to their preferred pathway. Your final MA award will reflect your pathway expertise.

Taught by active researchers in security studies and related fields, our MA International Security will give you an expert-level knowledge in areas of human and international security, research skills and global issues.

Modules deliver content on thematic areas within the discipline. You will learn about regional conflicts, defined geographically, pertaining, for example, to Eastern Europe, the South China Sea, or the Sahel. You will also learn about global threats to international security, such as the challenges of maintaining industrial supply chains, the problems created by climate change, or the epistemic crisis exacerbated by digital media. You will also learn theories of conflict analysis, how they originated and how they are applied, enabling you to define your own academic research projects and to explore new, poorly understood sources of insecurity.

The course is taught and assessed entirely online and asynchronously, giving you the freedom to study anytime, anywhere. Course tutors will provide you with weekly tasks and activities, as well as bespoke learning resources, all designed with your final assessments and ultimate success in mind. The International Studies and History team at the University of Staffordshire is practised in delivering via distance learning, and will be present and approachable for you throughout your MA; you will be offered regular guidance and feedback. You will also join an international and professional cohort of fellow students who will offer peer-to-peer support and camaraderie.

You will have the choice of studying the core MA International Security, or to specialise in a branch of Security Studies by selecting one of our three pathways:

• Russian Studies
• Contemporary China
• Intelligence

Each pathway comes with a specialist module, and students on a pathway will write their final dissertation project on a subject related to their preferred pathway. Your final MA award will reflect your pathway expertise.

Academic year