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Past Questions

  1. Hi, I just completed my bachelors in Economics and a Postgraduate degree in Political Science. I would like to study International Political Economy, could you share with me some details about this course and the potential career options after finishing?

    Hi, Thanks for your question. Please check the following website from the University of Birmingham which provides information on course details, entry requirements, teaching and assessment, as well as employability when studying MA International Political Economy. https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/courses/taught/govsoc/international-political-economy.aspx Feel free to contact me again if you have any further questions. Best wishes, B

  2. Hi, I would like to know more about the career prospects of this course? and also if there were any books that you could recommend for me to read before my course starts?

    Hi, many thanks for your question. As I have mentioned in my previous response, I would suggest the following two, 'The Oxford Handbook of International Relations' and 'The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations' (Baylis et al, 2008) but there are many more to recommend. I hope this helps.

  3. Hi Bircan, I have just completed my undergraduate degree in Economics and Political Science, and was looking into potentially applying for International Relations. I wanted to ask if you know about what sort of jobs or areas people went into after studying this course?

    Hi, many thanks for your question. Depending on your focus during your studies and interests generally, there is a broad field covered by IR, in companies, think tanks, research centres etc. I hope this helps. Best wishes, B

  4. Hi there, I am an offer holder for MSc Political Psychology of International Relations, I was wondering if you had any insight into this course/recommendations of how to connect with classmates in advance? I will be coming from Canada and was wondering how you felt about campus vs city life and if you had any advice for living off campus, finding housing and roommates? Thank you.

    Hi,

    I believe connecting prior can be a bit difficult, however, we do have a fresher week where you will get to know the campus/city. This is a great opportunity for connecting with people and getting to know the environment.

    I have lived in a studio flat right next to the university on Bristol Road before moving back to Germany. I believe it makes it much easier living close to campus, especially if you are coming from abroad. I really enjoyed my time in Birmingham and especially the campus. Living close to campus also makes it much easier to connect with people.

    Feel free to get in touch if you have any further questions.

    Best wishes, B

  5. What was your experience like when studying International Relations at the University of Birmingham? What is the syllabus like for this course?

    Hi, I had a great experience studying IR at the University of Birmingham. I really enjoyed the wide range of modules and flexibility of focusing on a specific area. Please check following webpage for further information (e.g. modules, etc) https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/courses/taught/govsoc/international-relations.aspx I hope this helps. With best wishes, B

  6. Hi, I am looking forward to doing my Masters in International relations and wanted to ask what is the overall experience of studying at the University of Birmingham like? How does this course equip us to actively take part in global civil service? Is IR too vast of a topic or should I be more specific while choosing my masters (eg: International security and terrorism or MSc Global cooperation and security) to get a much deeper insight into subjects taught and also increase my potential to end up in a progressive career path?

    Hi, my experience has been very positive. The university, campus and the city all together hosted me very well. I have enjoyed my Masters degree and I am now continuing being a student at the University of Birmingham as a PhD student. I believe you can choose your modules according to your interest which will help you with being more "specific". I hope this helps. With best wishes, B

  7. Hi. I am considering applying to study Diplomacy MA this year but I have a number of concerns.

    The first is the workload. How many hours of study a week are required for undertaking the full time course over 1 year? Also how many hours a week are required for studying part time over 2 years? If I choose to study full time can I switch to part time if the workload is too much?

    My second concern is that I studied my History BA via an online course with minimal face to face teaching and I worry that I won't have the necessary communication skills to succeed. As well as this I can be very socially anxious. Do you have any thoughts on this or even any advice?

    Hi,

    many thanks for your questions.

    I would first suggest to read through following website https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/courses/taught/govsoc/international-relations.aspx#CourseDetailsTab

    The degree structure may has changed since I have graduated in 2017. However, reading through the website and all provided information will help to evaluate how much time you would need additionally when studying full- or part-time. From my own experience, revising daily seminars is the best step to take for time management and efficient learning.

    I think you should not be worried about your communication skills. Usually, you are going to be writing assignments/exam. Sometimes the task may be to present a specific topic (oral examination), however, I can confidently say that teaching staff are very supportive and this should really not be a barrier for deciding to go for this MA degree.

    If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Wishing you the very best.

    Kind regards, B

  8. Hello there! I'm interested in pursuing the International Relations course for a Masters. I'm an undergraduate in English majors and I have been interested in this field for some time. I would like to know about what is required to apply, and how I need to prepare for getting admitted into the university? Would it be difficult for me to pursue a course like this?

    Hi,

    many thanks for your question. Firstly, I would recommend to check the following link: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/courses/taught/govsoc/international-relations.aspx It offers various information for example course details, entry requirements, teaching and assessment and more.

    According to your home country, you will find different information on requirements which is why I would suggest that you first check the provided link and if you should have any further question, please don't hesitate to contact me again. I hope this will be a help.

    Best wishes B

  9. Hi, do you have any strong opinion on the quality of the teaching within the POLSIS/ Development department? Do lecturers have practical experience within their field? Is the focus more on independent learning or is there a strong input from lecturers? Thank you.

    Hello, thank you very much for your question and apologies in the delay getting back to you. My name is Emma from the Postgraduate Recruitment team, and I am replying on behalf of the mentor as they have not yet answered it.

    I cannot speak in terms of personal experience, but most, if not all, of the lecturers will be experts in their field in terms of research. This webpage lists available modules in the School of Government, most of which have links to further information including who teaches it, so you can see for yourself: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government/courses/masters/modules/index.aspx

    A postgraduate degree definitely encourages you to become an independent learner - they are great stepping stones for PhD programmes where you will have to be your own boss! - but members of staff will be able to help if you are struggling with a particular module. Each lecturer should have a weekly office hour where you can go and ask questions about the module or assessment, or if your module includes seminar groups too you can use that opportunity to ask your fellow students and work out the problem together.

    If you have a particular problem that you don't want to go to your lecturer for, you can talk to your student rep, who can take it up with the department, or you can talk to your personal tutor, who you should be in regular contact with throughout your course.

    I hope this helps, PG Recruitment

  10. Hi,

    What motivated you to switch from a science course to one in the social sciences? How easy was it for you to change and what did it entail?

    I would also like to know what sort of job opportunities are available to you as a graduate of International Relations?

    Are there any scholarship options available for international students who wish to study this course? and can it be combined with any other course?

    Hey, thank you for your interest in the field.

    I studied a BA in Political Science, an MA in International relations and a PhD in Social Policy, Sociology, and Criminology (focusing on migrants without migration experience and diaspora institutions/governance). I never felt a "switch" as the fields are very closely linked with each other.

    Job opportunities are dependent on your pathway (which you chose if you study International relations at our university). Here, I suggest having a look at the different pathways that are being offered and decide according to your interest. Then, I may be able to provide job examples. You can find more on the pathways at the following website https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/courses/taught/govsoc/international-relations.aspx .

    Scholarships are on the university's webpage. Please check the following link for possible eligibility: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/International/students/finance/scholarships/index.aspx

    I hope this helps. Please get in touch if you have further questions.

    Best wishes

  11. Hello, I would like to ask if there is a possibility for a person to double major in MA International Relations and Political Psychology of International Relations (MSc)? I am really interested in both.

    Hey, many thanks for your question. I am not sure as I have not heard about such an option before. I suggest contacting the university via phone. I hope they will be able to provide you with more information.

    Best wishes

  12. Hello, I am interested in studying the MSc in Global Security course from next September. I am wondering if there is a part-time study option too? It would be useful for me to know how many hours of commitment there is and how many seminars or lectures there are each week for both the full-time and part-time options as I need to factor in work commitments too?

    Hi,

    thank you for the question. Please do check the following link for all your requested information. https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/courses/taught/govsoc/global-cooperation-security.aspx#CourseDetailsTab

    I hope this helps. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

  13. How are you moving on as a student? What are processes towards gaining employment?

    Hi, many thanks for your question. Currently, I am a third year PhD student at the University of Birmingham. It is going well, as long as you have good time management skills and great discipline there isn't much to worry about. The degree in International Relations is offering a wide range of different paths, which are crucial for your career. Here you will need to figure out, what your interests are and decide accordingly. You can contact the careers network at the University of Birmingham for example, who will be then able to help you further with employment opportunities.

  14. What, for you, are the best things about the course?

    The great variety of courses with different emphasis is particularly beneficial and I would argue that it makes the study course International Relations at the University of Birmingham special.

  15. What was your motivation for undertaking postgraduate study? Why did you choose the University of Birmingham?

    After my Bachelors degree in Political Science, I decided to earn a Masters degree in International Relations, but at the same time I was particularly interested in the International Political Economy. After my research, I have come across the University of Birmingham, which has turned my ideas into reality. It was particularly important to study international relations abroad and to connect with international students.

  16. Can you describe your journey from school to where you are now?

    With a primary school recommendation from the elementary school I worked myself up and earned my Abitur. First I studied Mechanical Engineering and after a semester switched to Political Science. It was the turning point in my academic career. After my Bachelors degree, I have started my Masters degree at the University of Birmingham and applied for PhD and got accepted. It was the best decision I made.

  17. What is the course structure of the MA in International relations?

    The structure of the degree program International Relations varies. It depends on the pathway you choose. You can have a look at it online and find more detailed information about the different pathways.

    http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/courses/taught/govsoc/international-relations.aspx

  18. Hi Bircan, what according to you are the qualities or skills one should have in order to successfully complete the MA in International Relations at the University of Birmingham? And how can someone with a completely unrelated academic background prepare for the course before starting?

    Hi! I applied for this course after completing my Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. I would argue that it does not require a specific level of skills or prior knowledge of politics for example (in my case), because even this Masters degree offers different pathways. You can find more on the pathways at the following website https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/courses/taught/govsoc/international-relations.aspx . Depending on your focus, I would advise you to read introductory books/journals in/around the area and thus gain your first insight. I hope I could help. Don't hesitate if you wish to ask further questions.

    Best wishes

  19. Hello Bircan, I have a bachelor degree in English literature and Civilization, can I complete my Masters degree in International Relations and Diplomacy? What motivated you to undertake courses in International Relations? And why did you choose the University of Birmingham?

    Hi,

    According to the web page information of the University, there shouldn't be any reason why you wouldn't be able to complete your Masters degree in International Relations and Diplomacy.

    For further information please check this link if you haven't yet: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/courses/taught/govsoc/international-relations.aspx#CourseDetailsTab

    I have a Bachelors degree in Political Science and during my undergraduate I really enjoyed the core module International Relations due to the fact that it was more focused on "today's issues".

    I decided the University of Birmingham because I really find it useful to have a huge variety of course which you can take once you're enrolled at the University as well as the ranking and research capacity, these all convinced me to apply at the University or Birmingham and not elsewhere.

    Now I am doing my PhD here as well and I definitely don't regret being part of the many University of Birmingham students.

    I hope my response helped you. Get in touch if further information is needed.

    All the best.