International Relations (Extended), MA

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Key Course Details

Mode of Study: Campus Based
Typical Offer (view equivalents): 2.2
Location: Singleton Park Campus

Start Date	Tuition Fees - Year 1
Sep 2026	£ 6,800

MA 2 Year Full Time

Mode of Study: Campus Based
Typical Offer: 2.2 - More Information
Location: Singleton Park Campus

Start Date	Tuition Fees - Year 1
Sep 2026	£ 14,850

Course Overview

The world is facing profound challenges, from conflict and climate change to new and unexpected global pressures. But alongside these difficulties, new ideas, collaborations, and opportunities for positive change are emerging. Understanding this fast‑moving landscape has never been more important.

Our Extended MA International Relations offers the same strong academic foundation as the standard MA, while giving you the opportunity to broaden your experience through a year abroad. You will explore the forces shaping global politics, examine how international institutions respond to change, and consider what a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world could look like.

The Extended programme (EMA) includes a dedicated semester at our partner institution, The Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University, where you’ll immerse yourself in a new academic and cultural environment. Located in Texas, USA, this international experience allows you to deepen your knowledge, build global networks, and develop the confidence and independence that come from studying overseas. Throughout this time, you’ll be supported by Swansea’s academic team, Careers and Employability staff, and the Go Global team, ensuring you feel fully prepared before you go, and well supported while you’re there.

Across the full degree, you will gain the conceptual tools, detailed case studies, and advanced research skills needed to analyse international issues with confidence. Whether you are looking to deepen your academic knowledge or prepare for a career in global policy, governance, or research, this programme is designed to equip you to engage thoughtfully and critically with the world around you.

Why International Relations (Extended) at Swansea?

Ranked in the Top 250 in the World (QS 2025), International Relations at Swansea offers an inspiring place to study global politics and learn from leading researchers. Based on our beautiful Singleton Park campus, set in acres of parkland overlooking Swansea Bay, you will study in an inspiring location at the gateway to the Gower Peninsula. Our academics are leaders in their fields, researching some of the most pressing challenges shaping global politics today. Swansea has built an outstanding reputation for international affairs, with particular expertise in critical security studies and the systems of power that drive global change. This research directly informs our teaching, giving you access to innovative thinking throughout your degree.

Your studies will take you beyond the headlines. You’ll analyse the role of influential actors in global politics, explore an international system facing an uncertain twenty‑first century, and develop advanced methodological skills to investigate the issues shaping our interconnected world. You won’t just learn about global politics, you will learn how to interrogate it.

Swansea is home to a vibrant and welcoming postgraduate community where you’ll find active student societies in politics, international relations, and philosophy, including strong networks for international students, and multiple research groups you can get involved in. It’s a supportive environment where you can deepen your interests, build valuable connections, and enhance both your academic and professional development.

Your International Relations (Extended) Experience

During your MA in International Relations (Extended), you will build a strong foundation in the key ideas, debates, and approaches that shape the study of global politics today. Whether you’re new to the subject or continuing from previous study, the early part of the programme is designed to give you the conceptual and analytical grounding you need to explore international relations with confidence.

As an Extended MA (EMA) student, you’ll spend an additional semester studying at Texas A&M University, giving you international exposure alongside your core Swansea learning experience. This experience gives you the chance to immerse yourself in a new academic culture, strengthen your global outlook, and develop valuable independence and intercultural skills. You’ll receive full support from Swansea’s academic staff and Go Global team before, during, and after your placement.

As you progress, you’ll deepen your understanding of the global challenges influencing power, conflict, and cooperation, while also developing the research skills essential for advanced study in this field. You’ll learn how to analyse complex issues, evaluate competing perspectives, and apply different methods to investigate international questions.

International Relations (Extended) Employment Opportunities

This extended programme is designed for students from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds. You will develop a strong grounding in the theory and practice of international relations, alongside the research, analytical, presentation, critical‑thinking, and writing skills needed to evaluate and interpret global issues with confidence.

These skills are highly sought after across many sectors. Graduates of the MA in International Relations (Extended) go on to have careers in areas such as:

UN and international organisations
Government and politics
Humanitarian organisations
Business, media and PR

Whether you’re looking to advance an existing career or take your first steps into the world of global affairs, this programme provides a strong platform for your next move.

Modules

We're currently reviewing our curriculum to enhance your learning experience and embed skills that will benefit your future career. This means that some modules may be subject to change.

Year 1 (Level 7)

FHEQ 7 Taught Masters / PGDip / PGCert

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules
Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
Methodology in the Social Sciences	September-January (TB1)	20	POLM02
Understanding Global Politics: Theories and Approaches in International Relations	September-January (TB1)	20	POLM03
Critical Security Studies	January-June (TB2)	20	POLM06
Tools of Knowing: Research Methods in Politics and IR	January-June (TB2)	20	POLM12

Optional Modules

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Select one module

Optional Module - Semester 1
Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code	Guidance
Violence, Conflict and Development	September-January (TB1)	20	POLM08
Cyber Warfare and Cyber Espionage: War and Spycraft in the Modern World	September-January (TB1)	20	POLM14

AND

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Select one module

Optional Modules - Semester 2
Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code	Guidance
Humanitarian Affairs	January-June (TB2)	20	POLM04
International Security in the Asia-Pacific	January-June (TB2)	20	POLM05

Year 2 (Level 7)

FHEQ 7 Taught Masters Dissertation

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

None found.

Optional Modules

Choose Exactly 60 credits from the following Modules:

Compulsory Module Abroad
Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code	Guidance
The Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M (Semester of Study Abroad)	June-September (TB3)	60	PO-PX10

AND

Choose Exactly 60 credits from the following Modules:

Part- Two Dissertation
Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code	Guidance
Dissertation	June-September (TB3)	60	POLM17

Entry Requirements

We consider all applicants on their own merits and welcome applications from students with a wide range of qualifications.

How You're Taught

At Swansea, you will benefit from a high-quality, research-informed education that combines a range of effective and inclusive teaching methods, carefully tailored to suit the needs of your course.

This course is taught in person, on campus, giving you the opportunity to actively engage with other students, academic staff, and the wider university community.

You can expect a mix of lectures, seminars, workshops, and practical sessions - including laboratory work, skills training, or studio-based teaching where relevant to your discipline. These sessions are designed to encourage active participation, collaboration, and the development of both subject-specific and transferable skills.

Digital learning tools are also used to enhance your learning experience. These may include:

Recorded lectures to support flexible study and revision
Online resources on the university’s virtual learning environment (Canvas), including videos, reading materials, quizzes, and discussion forums

This approach enables you to engage with and review content at your own pace while benefiting from the structure and support of in-person teaching.

N.B If you are an international student studying with a Student Route Visa, please note that your timetabled activity, along with any additional supervisory activity (with Swansea University staff present) will take place on campus. In line with UKVI protocol, these sessions will be monitored and data made available on request.

Welsh Provision

No Provision

Unfortunately, there is currently no formal Welsh-medium provision on this course. If you would like to let us know that you are interested in pursuing an element of your course through the medium of Welsh, please email astudio@abertawe.ac.uk to indicate your interest along with your year of entry and we will do our best to see what is possible.

Whilst this course does not offer academic content delivered in Welsh, the University can provide you with the following, and Academi Hywel Teifi is here to support you:

An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.
The option to receive your personal correspondence in Welsh, English or bilingually.
The option to write and submit your coursework or exams through the medium of Welsh (even if you have chosen to study in English), and your work will be marked in Welsh.
A Welsh-speaking Personal Tutor.
One-to-one support through the medium of Welsh to improve your academic skills.
An opportunity to gain an additional free qualification that serves as evidence of your Welsh language ability for future employers, namely the WJEC and Coleg Cymraeg's Welsh Language Certificate.
Opportunity to be a member of the Swansea University Branch of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

To learn more about the above and all the opportunities available to you through the medium of Welsh, visit Academi Hywel Teifi's undergraduate pages.

Meet Your Lecturers

You will be taught by world-class lecturers and active researchers.

Visit our School of Social Sciences Staff to learn more about our academic team.

Tuition Fees

Start Date	UK	International
September 2025	£ 6,450	£ 14,200
September 2026	£ 6,800	£ 14,850

Tuition fees for years of study after your first year are subject to an increase of 3%.

You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

Funding and Scholarships

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.

If you're a UK or EU student starting a master’s degree at Swansea University, you may be eligible to apply for Government funding to help towards the cost of your studies. To find out more, please visit our postgraduate loans page.

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Additional Costs

Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up.

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):

Travel to and from campus
Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
Purchase of books or texts
Gowns for graduation ceremonies

Careers and Employability

The Careers and Employability Team will support you at each stage of your career journey helping you build a bright future.

Our career support services include:

Employability workshops, employers’ talks, bespoke events and careers fairs
Individual advice and guidance from professionally qualified Careers Advisers
Help with finding jobs, internships, work placements and volunteering opportunities
Access to information resources on a wide range of career management topics
Funding to support student internship opportunities and Student Society/Club events.

As a Swansea University graduate, you can access lifelong careers and employability support.

Academic Support

As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your personal tutor, the Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas such as:

Academic writing
Maths and statistics
Critical thinking
Time management
Digital skills
Presentation skills
Note taking
Revision, memory and exam techniques
English language skills (if English is not your first language).

In addition, if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), disability, mental health or medical condition, the Centre for Academic Success have Specialist Tutors to support your learning, working alongside the Disability Office and Wellbeing Service to support all your needs and requirements whilst studying at Swansea University.

How to Apply

Please apply through the University’s Application system.

For further guidance please visit our how to apply for postgraduate study pages.

EU students - visa and immigration information is available and will be regularly updated on our information for EU students page.

Application Deadlines

We recommend that you submit your application to our courses as early as you can in advance of our application deadlines. Courses will close earlier than the application deadlines listed if all available places are filled. You can find further information on our Application Deadlines webpage.

Additional Information

The Extended MA is a 240-credit postgraduate qualification that is equivalent to 120 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) and is thus a recognised Masters qualification throughout the European Union. The EMA is a standard UK MA plus an additional 60 credits (30 ECTS) and this additional coursework is undertaken in one semester at a partner institution overseas. The EMA is therefore not only an EU recognised postgraduate qualification, it also adds a study abroad experience thus enhancing the qualification’s employability credentials.

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The University will seek to deliver each course in accordance with the descriptions set out in the relevant course web pages at the time of application. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after enrolment.

The information below is for students starting their courses in 2016 or later.

The University will not normally make very substantial changes to courses (for example, a change to the course title, significant restructuring, substantial change in course content, or the introduction of a progression hurdle) which would impact on students who have already begun their course. In exceptional circumstances, it may be necessary for the University to make such a change after acceptance of a place by an offer-holder. This will not happen less than 5 months before enrolment. The offer-holder will be notified of the change and will have the opportunity to withdraw their application and apply elsewhere.

Other changes could be made to course content, study location, delivery and teaching provision because of developments in the relevant subject, enhancements in teaching or assessment practice, requirements of external accreditation processes, changes in staffing, resource constraints or changes in the availability of facilities. Such changes will take account of the reasonable expectations of prospective and current students.

Summary of Changes

Date of Change

22/01/2026

Course Title(s)

International Relations (Extended), MA 2 Year Full Time

Material Change

There are minor changes to this programme's structure that impact whether modules are compulsory and optional.

Reason for Change

These updates are designed to make your learning experience more streamlined, relevant and manageable.

If you have questions about this change, please contact curriculumreview@swansea.ac.uk.