Course contact details
Admissions
Email:admissions@plymouth.ac.uk
Phone:+44 (0) 1752 585858
University of Plymouth
Drake Circus
Plymouth
PL4 8AA
International Relations: Security and Development (Taught)
- MA (PG)
- 2 Years
- Distance learning (part-time)
- 21 September 2026
- Postgraduate
- Distance learning
Course summary
The programme has an interdisciplinary and critical approach to issues of security and development, combining different social sciences and public policy perspectives from international relations. It addresses debates about why global security and development issues, including specific questions on security, globalisation, geoeconomics, development, conflict resolution and the environment.
The course aims to:
• offer the opportunity to attain a postgraduate award at MA level in International Relations: Security and Development;
• inculcate an in-depth, systematic and critical understanding of the discourse and practice of security and development issues in International Relations, including the perspectives of different world regions and cultures;
• provide a supportive and friendly learning environment which enables students to develop an advanced understanding and knowledge of the significance of the theories and concerns of international relations, informed by global scholarship;
• develop students’ capacity to apply analysis and critical evaluation and reasoning that inform the relevant debates and policy-making processes in security and development;
• develop competence in using methodologies and techniques appropriate to research and practical application in professional environments;
• foster the development of professional skills relevant to employers and other stakeholders.
Modules
There are four thematic modules and one dissertation module. The structure is as follows:
• Module 1 – Global Governance
• Module 2 – Strategy and Security Studies
• Module 3 – Economic Diplomacy and Development
• Module 4 – Regional Geopolitics
• Module 5 – MA Dissertation in Security and Development
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Course does not award QTS
How to apply
International applicants
The University of Plymouth has a dedicated Student Immigration Advice (SIA) service who will support you from the day you accept an offer at the University, right through to graduation. They will offer help and advice so you can get the most out of your studies, and your time in the UK, visit www.plymouth.ac.uk/services/international-student-advice for more information. Once you have applied through UCAS, your conditional offer letters will also be sent to you by email, so be sure to enter your current email address on your application and to check this email regularly. You'll need your unconditional letter, and the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) that we'll send you, when applying for your student visa to the UK. A tuition fee deposit will be required before we'll send you the CAS. We're a licenced Sponsor under the Points Based System. To comply with our duties as a Sponsor, we're required to check other aspects of your application in addition to your academic achievements, for example any previous studies, financial status and your immigration history in the UK. For course entry requirements (inc. English requirements) please refer to the specific page for the course you are interested in (www.plymouth.ac.uk/study). A recognised English language qualification (e.g. IELTS) would be required or successful completion of one of the University's pre-sessional English Language courses. Check our country pages to find out more about application from your specific home country www.plymouth.ac.uk/international/study/international-students-country-guides. International fees, please visit our fees and funding pages www.plymouth.ac.uk/study/fees. If you have any questions please contact admissions@plymouth.ac.uk
Chat to student ambassadors
Discover what it's like to study International Relations: Security and Development at University of Plymouth: insights on the course, making friends, personal statement tips, uni prep, and recommended books, podcasts, and videos.
POWERED BY 
Entry requirements
A 2:2 honours degree or above in one of the following: International Relations, Politics, Development Studies, Economics, Public Policy, History, Geography, Cultural Studies, Law, Philosophy, Sociology, Psychology, Anthropology, Business Studies, Modern Languages, English Literature, Media Studies, Communications. Postgraduate Diplomas or an appropriate professional qualification deemed to be equivalent to a UK honours degree will also be considered.
Applicants with appropriate professional experience may be considered following interview.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | With 5.5 in all elements. |
Full details of English Language requirements can be found on our website.
English Language Requirementshttps://www.plymouth.ac.uk/international/how-to-apply/english-language-requirements
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
For all information about tuition fees, please visit our fees and funding pages at www.plymouth.ac.uk/study/fees
- Fees are correct at the time of publication and may be subject to change.
Related courses
At University of Plymouth
Like this page