International Security is a field of study concerned with questions about war and peace, life and death, safety and survival. Traditionally its terrain has focused on concerns about the stability of the states’ system, the use of force, nuclear proliferation, military strategy, intelligence and the distribution of resources. Today, however, concerns about climate change, migration, poverty, health, privatisation, organised crime and international terrorism are also on the agenda. Our MA is one of the most comprehensive international security graduate programmes in the country taught by staff at the innovative forefront of international security research. You’ll choose from a broad range of modules with a diverse thematic and geographic focus.

Core Modules

• Concepts and Theories of International Security (40 CATS)

Optional Modules

You may select up to 40 CATS (normally 2 modules) from a list of specialist modules for this course, and a further 40-80 CATS from our extensive range of optional modules for a total of 120 CATS of taught modules.

Previously, options have included:

• The CIA and Covert Action
• The Global Food System
• The Nuclear Question

The optional module lists are updated regularly.

Teaching

Modules are taught via one 2-hour seminar per week. Every seminar will be based on extensive guided reading you will do each week, but there is no strict pattern to how sessions are run. This may include mini-lectures followed by discussion, Q&A sessions, organised debates, peer presentations, policy briefs, small group work, and other projects.

Contact Hours

6 hours of seminars per week for 9 weeks in Terms 1 and 2 plus advice and feedback hours when requested and Dissertation supervision in Terms 2 and 3.

Class Sizes

Normally a maximum of 18 per seminar group in PAIS delivered modules.

Assessment

Research essays and potentially other written assignments throughout the year, culminating in a 10,000 word dissertation at the end.

Minimum requirements 2:i undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a related subject

English language requirements Band B
IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above

International Students
We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications. For more information please visit the international entry requirements page.

Department advice

Department specific advice on applying to ensure your application has the best chance for success.

Fees and Funding

For up-to-date information concerning fees, funding and scholarships for Home, EU and Overseas students please visit Warwick's Fees and Funding webpage.

For up-to-date information for department fees and funding opportunities please visit the Department Fees and Funding webpage.

Additional Course Costs

There may be additional costs associated with studying this programme, such as field trips, specially organised events, materials bench fees or studio hire. You should consider these costs when deciding whether or not to accept this offer.

Find out more

Graduates from these courses have gone on to work for employers including: Deloitte; Japan Ministry of Defense; Nationwide Building Society; The Cabinet Office; University of Kent; Transport for London and West Midlands Police. They have pursued roles such as: business and financial project management professionals; economists; finance officers; management consultants; business analysts and public services associate professionals.

Our Department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

• Your future awaits - the many things you can do after your degree in the PAIS Department
• Careers in Government and Politics
• Warwick careers fairs throughout the year
• After your PAIS Master’s – What Next?
• Assessment Centres and Interviews: an overview of what to expect for PAIS students

There are a number of different ways to visit the University of Warwick throughout the year. We host bespoke PG visits, where you can talk directly with your chosen department and explore our campus through a personalised tour. Some departments also host their own events and open days, where you can learn more about your department or course of study. To find out more about all of these opportunities, visit our Postgraduate Visits page.

Our Double Degree programmes allow you to study a Warwick MA programme for one year as well as a Masters programme at a partner university.

View our Double Degrees

Postgraduate FAQs (PAIS specific)

Postgraduate FAQs (general)