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MA in the European Union and International Relations

Key information

Duration of programme: Full-time: 12 months, part-time: 2-3 years

Start date(s): October
Distance learning available: Distance learning is not available for this course. 

Intake: Approximately 10 per year

Fees for 2011:
UK/EU students: £3,820           International students: £11,236

Part-time students pay a pro-rata version of full-time fees.

In the 2010/2011 academic year Aston Centre for Europe (ACE) will award up to eight full and partial fee bursaries covering the UK/EU tuition fees for the first year of studies in Birmingham. Please click here for further details

Application & contact:
Apply for this course online

LSS Postgraduate Admissions
Tel: +44 (0) 121 204 3762
Fax: +44 (0) 121 204 3766
Email: lss_pgadmissions@aston.ac.uk

Application deadline
The deadline for submitting an application for 2011/2012 academic year is 1st September 2011.

Programme outline and modules

Located in the heart of Birmingham, Britain’s second city, Aston University is one of the UK’s longest-established centres for European Studies. This programme benefits both from the disciplinary expertise of research active staff in Politics, International Relations and European Studies and from the proximity to other disciplines in the languages and humanities. Find out more about our Politics, International Relations and European Studies subject group.

This Masters qualification, is well suited if you're looking to progress to PhD level or graduate employment - ideally internationally oriented careers in the public or private sector. Through this programme, graduates gain a high-level understanding of political and economic power in a globalised world. The programme comprises both taught modules and a research dissertation and students are required to complete 180 credits to qualify for the MA.

The programme consists of the following modules (view our module descriptions for full details):

Core modules (60 credits):

  • Research Methods - offers knowledge and understanding of key methodological processes in social science research (40 credits) - First and Second Terms
  • The EU as a Global Actor - considers the roles and powers exercised by the EU as a political and economic actor in the contemporary world, with attention paid to key policy issues (20 credits) - Second Term.

Elective modules (60 credits):

Choose from three of the following modules (available subject to availability):

  • International Relations and the Global Order (First Term)

  • Transatlantic Relations in Historical Perspective: The United States and Europe (First Term)

  • Germany and the World (First Term)

  • Europe's Regions and their Governance (First Term)

  • When is a Nation? Nationalism and Identity (First Term)

  • International Security (First Term)

  • Cities and Regions in the Global Economy (First Term)

  • Partisan Politics in Europe (First Term)

  • Asia-Europe Relations: Between Interregionalism and Bilateralism (First Term)

  • International Ethics and Literature (Second Term)

  • The EU and its Neighbours (Second Term)

  • Leaders and Leadership in a European and Global Context (Second Term)

  • International Migration: Dynamics, Challenges and Dilemmas (Second Term)

  • US Foreign Policy in the Cold War (Second Term)

  • Religion and Politics (Second Term)

  • Security and Defence in Europe (Second Term)

  • International Political Communication (Second Term)

  • Comparative and International Political Economy (Second Term)

  • The Globalisation of the International Political Economy (Second Term)

  • Language module (choice of French, English, German, Spanish, Modern Arabic, Mandarin Chinese) (10 credits per term) - First and Second Term 

Dissertation (60 credits):

  • Dissertation based on supervised study and research on a chosen, linked to the European dynamics, topic (15,000 words length).

Jump to:

Entry requirements
Learning, teaching & assessment
Career opportunities

 

Personal development
Facilities & equipment

Course director
Teaching staff

Entry requirements

  • A good UK Honours Degree (minimum of an upper second class) in a relevant discipline or an overseas degree recognised by Aston University, plus two references.
International students whose native language is not English and have not completed a full degree programme taught in English, will also need to obtain:
  •  An IELTS score of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 7 in writing and minimum of 6 in speaking, listening and reading.
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Learning, teaching & assessment

Modules are delivered via a variety of innovative and engaging teaching methods.  You will take part in lectures, undertake individual research and guided study under the one-to-one supervision of a supervisor.  There are also opportunities for interactive learning under a tutor’s guidance.

The taught modules are assessed by written examination or extended essay. The taught element of the programme is complemented by a 15,000 word dissertation leading to the award of the MA.

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Career opportunities

Graduate opportunities lie in international business or finance, in government or international organisations, in politics and journalism, or in research - whether policy-oriented or academic (usually after doctoral level research).
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Personal development

This course helps you to develop team working skills, presentation and communication skills, as well as research and report writing skills. Your IT skills will also benefit from use of our newly refurbished IT facilities.

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Facilities & equipment

You will have access to:
  • Our Virtual Learning Environment – Blackboard – to support your studies, including Blackboard discussion groups
  • The University Library, including over 25,000 books and a wide range of electronic journals.  The library has special provision in place to help part time and distance learning students access their resources: www.aston.ac.uk/lis/studentinfo/parttime
  • University wide facilities such as the Careers Service, Students’ Advice Centre, Students’ Jobshop, Counselling Service, Sports Facilities, and Chaplaincy.
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Course director

Dr Lucian Leustean - tel: +44 (0)121 204 3767, email: l.leustean@aston.ac.uk.

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