Postgraduate taught programmes
The School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies (SPAIS) is an interdisciplinary scholarly environment producing leading research which is international in its focus and relevant to the changing circumstances of our increasingly interconnected world. Our strong reputation is evident across all our taught postgraduate programmes.
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We will be attending a range of postgraduate fairs and roadshows over the coming academic year. You also have the opportunity to visit us on campus.
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Politics and International Relations
MSc Gender and International Relations
This programme examines and deploys perspectives from feminism, gender studies, cultural studies and sexuality studies, along with interdisciplinary research in international political economy, civil-military relations, international development and the study of men and masculinities.
MSc International Relations
This programme gives a broad assessment of contemporary international relations. It integrates theoretical approaches with the study of many cases and issues. It also explores the ways in which the line between the domestic and international is blurred by trade, financial, environmental, strategic, ideological, cultural and ethical issues.
MSc International Security
There are a growing number of new threats in international security, ranging from civil war, terrorism and transnational crime to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
This programme provides you with a theoretical and empirical understanding of the international security environment of the post-Cold War era, including the origins of conflicts and peace, the emergence of new security threats, and the many different agencies involved in conflict prevention, peacekeeping and peacemaking today.
LLM International Law and International Relations
At a critical time in history, our LLM in International Law and International Relations provides you with an opportunity to engage in an exciting area of law that is complex and constantly evolving. There is a growing demand for expert lawyers that can embrace the challenges and opportunities of an increasingly interdependent and turbulent world.
Our LLM programmes are well-respected by leading law firms, international businesses, international and non-governmental organisations. This is a specialist programme that will enable you to combine units provided by both the Law School and the School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies to create an exceptional programme of study.
MSc Social Science Research Methods (Politics)
The programme provides thorough theoretical and practical knowledge of the variety of qualitative and quantitative data collection methods available to the social scientist, and the main methods of data analysis. You will also cover the research process, ethical considerations and social theory. You will be encouraged to apply your methods training to substantive research interests.
Development
MSc Development and Security
This innovative programme explores the link and tensions between development and security concerns in theory and practice. Specifically, it builds on the unique combination of expertise and experience in the School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies to:
- examine the nature of violent conflict in the world today and the international community's response to it;
- locate this analysis in a comprehensive theoretical understanding of wider development and security studies, debates and controversies, particularly in relation to evolving patterns of global governance;
- explore these issues and dilemmas through contemporary, empirical case studies.
MSc East Asian Development and the Global Economy
As a student on this programme, you will explore the development of East Asia within the wider context of global economy and development. You will examine the opportunities, challenges and strategic issues created for East Asian countries in the global and regional political, economic and social structures.
You will also investigate the developing patterns of power relations, and especially international trade and investment, within East Asia and between East Asian nations and other regions of the world. In addition, you will gain core theoretical knowledge and understanding of development and international political economy.
MSc International Development
The programme combines an intellectual and academic approach with policy-oriented and empirical studies of development. It addresses three separate, but related, facets of the development process:
- analysing what development means;
- studying the processes of planning (external aid, regional disparities, environmental factors, poverty and industrialisation);
- examining how development policies may be delivered and administered, analysing the importance of effective political and bureaucratic structures, and evaluating the contributions of NGOs and other external bodies.
Sociology
MSc Contemporary Identities
The study of identity is a burgeoning area of sociological and cultural studies. Over a range of units, this programme provides an introduction to key themes in this field, with identity explored in both theoretical and substantive ways.
On the one hand, there has been an exciting and innovative strand of work that explores and re-theorises the ideas of subjectivity and selfhood in the context of changes brought about by late modern and postmodern society. On the other, the question of identity has come under scrutiny within substantive areas of sociology, such as the sociology of race and ethnicity, class, gender relations and technology.
MSc Social and Cultural Theory
This programme provides an introduction to a range of debates within the so-called 'cultural turn' in sociological studies. Increasingly, sociologists are looking to the concept of culture as a source of explanation - and questioning - in their studies of contemporary social formations.
The MSc in Social and Cultural Theory addresses both theoretical and substantive elements of this cultural turn. The works of key thinkers in social and cultural theory are explored, while the role of cultural explanations within theories of race and ethnicity, class, gender relations, sexuality and the sociology of religion (among others) is also given both theoretical and empirical consideration.
MSc Social Science Research Methods (Sociology)
You will develop a thorough theoretical and practical grounding in the variety of qualitative and quantitative data collection methods available to the social scientist, and in the principal methods of analysing data. The programme also covers the philosophies underpinning the research process, ethical considerations, and social theory. You will be encouraged to apply your methods training to your substantive research interests.
MSc Society, Politics and Climate Change
This programme investigates the complex social and political impacts of a changing climate, and examines the ways in which we can respond to crisis. While you will be made familiar with current technical arguments about the nature of the climate crisis, the focus is on its social and political dimensions. You will explore cutting-edge approaches within the social sciences to understand framings of and responses to the climate crisis. You will engage with themes including: climate crisis and political economy; the effects of climate change on international relations; sustainability and development; resilience and disasters; green transitions; and the origin and potential of green social movements to foster social and political change.
MSc Sociology
This programme gives you the opportunity to extend your core sociological knowledge and understanding. It will also bolster your understanding of the subject if your background is in a related area, but you do not have specialist knowledge of sociology.
The key learning goals are to develop your critical use and comprehension of social theory, while gaining a grounding in methodologies and techniques of enquiry. There is also a focus on distinctive, substantive sociological topics, such as ethnicity, multiculturalism, gender, sexuality, social movement, digital and technology, religion, and culture.
Programmes associated with the School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies
MScR in Global Environmental Challenges
Forge your career and address the key global environmental challenges of our time with this unique Master's by Research through the Cabot Institute for the Environment.