Global Security (Taught)

The traditional military threats which defined global security matters for the best part of the 20th century have been quickly replaced by new and re-emerging security challenges. The Masters in Global Security offers you the opportunity to examine conventional and unconventional security threats in the contemporary environment.

WHY THIS PROGRAMME

• The programme will develop your knowledge of the major security challenges impacting our rapidly changing socio-political environment at a global, national, and local level. These range from interstate conflict, terrorism, insurgency, cyber and hybrid warfare to disease, migration and climate change.

• You will benefit from the interdisciplinary expertise of our staff who have specialism in a wide array of security-focused issues, ranging from interstate conflict, terrorism, insurgency, cyber and hybrid warfare, to poverty, climate change, migration, and public health.

• This programme provides you with the theoretical and practical knowledge that can enable you to pursue careers in a wide range of fields, including governmental and non-governmental organisations, international organisations, research agencies, and security and risk analysis companies

• You will address the complexity of contemporary security threats by acquiring the theoretical knowledge and policy tools required for expert analysis and result-oriented action.

• Extra-curricular activities include master classes delivered by established academics and high-profile professionals, and career-focused workshops.

• You will have the opportunity to participate in a study trip to a European city that hosts important security-focused institutions (such as NATO Headquarters) in order to gain first-hand experience with decision-making processes and get valuable insights into job opportunities (previous study trips were organised to Brussels, Paris, and London).

• You will benefit from networking opportunities and vibrant intellectual development within a highly international and diverse cohort of Global Security students.

• International Relations at Glasgow is ranked 5th in the UK by the Guardian University Guide 2026.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
You will take two core courses and four optional courses. You will also complete a dissertation as a piece of independent research.

Core courses
Designing your Security & Area Studies Research Proposal
International Security and Strategic Studies

Optional courses
Communist Regimes and their Societies
Conflict Analysis
Contemporary Challenges in Eastern Europe, Russia and Eurasia
Energy, politics and society in Eurasia
European and International Security Strategies
Gender, Race and International Relations
Global Migrations: Histories, Structures, Experiences.
Global Social Movements
Humanitarian Intervention: Civilian or Sovereignty
International Organizations
International Relations of the Middle East
Media and Conflict in Divided Societies
Media and Democratisation in Central and Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union
Media, War and Security
Propaganda and Public Diplomacy: Authoritarian States
Russian Foreign Policy
Russian Politics and Society
The Ethics of War and Peace
War-making and Peace-making in the former Soviet Union
Yugoslavia and After: Themes and Controversies