This section describes which Units you will take in which year of study. It indicates which units are mandatory and where you will be able to choose. The overall pass marks you will need to achieve in order to progress or achieve an award are shown. The full regulations concerning progression and completion are held in the University's Regulations and Code of Practice. Any particular aspects of your programme that are unusual will be highlighted. If any Units are must pass this will be shown below. The linked unit specifications detail any additional requirements.
What do the teaching blocks (TB) mean?
| Unit name | Unit code | Credit points | Status | Teaching Block |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dissertation | POLIM1001 | 60 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
| Theories of Development | POLIM3018 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
| International Political Economy | POLIM3015 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
| Conflict, Security and Development | POLIM1007 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
| Students must also choose 60 credit points optional units. Select at least 40 credit points from the following list: | ||||
| European Security | POLIM0019 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
| China's International Relations | POLIM0023 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
| The Politics of (Un)sustainability | POLIM0028 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
| Postcolonial International Relations | POLIM0041 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
| The Politics of Brexit | POLIM0043 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
| Gender and Security | POLIM0045 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
| Money, Finance & Power in the Global Political Economy | POLIM0050 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
| Security Governance | POLIM1006 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
| Gender and Development | POLIM2032 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
| Managing and Evaluating Development | POLIM2036 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
| Gender, Masculinity/ies and International Relations | POLIM3016 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
| Foreign Policy Analysis | POLIM3017 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
| Climate Crisis and International Security | POLIM0052 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
| Researching Organisations, Institutions and Management | EFIMM0045 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
| Students may also be able to choose a maximum of 20 credit points from the following list of Sociology units depending on availability: | ||||
| Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods in the Social Sciences | SOCIM0011 | 20 | Optional | TB-1,TB-2 |
| Philosophy and Research Design in the Social Sciences | SOCIM0012 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
| Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods in the Social Sciences | SOCIM0013 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
| Contemporary Identities and Inequalities | SOCIM0015 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
| Gender, Family and Migration | SOCIM0023 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
| Understanding Social Movements | SOCIM0028 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
| From Structuralism to Post-structuralism | SOCIM0029 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
| Digital Economy and Society | SOCIM0031 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
| Rationality and Absurdity | SOCIM0033 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
| Consumption, Environment and Sustainable Development | SOCIM0034 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
| Advanced Qualitative Research | SOCIM3132 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
| Further Quantitative Methods | SPOLM0016 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
| Sociological Theory and the Concept of Culture | SPAIM0049 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
| Advanced Quantitative Research | SOCIM3133 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
| Researching Organisations, Institutions and Management | EFIMM0045 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
| MSc International Development | 180 | |||
The pass mark set by the University for any level 7 unit is 50 out of 100.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
An award with Merit or Distinction is permitted for postgraduate taught masters, diplomas and certificates, where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications. An award with Merit or Distinction is not permitted for exit awards where students are required to exit the programme on academic grounds. An exit award with Merit or Distinction may be permitted where students are prevented by exceptional circumstances from completing the intended award.
The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:
Award with Distinction*: at least 65 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation. **Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
Award with Merit*: at least 60 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 60 out of 100 for the dissertation. Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.
** For the award of Distinction, the Faculty of Engineering requires at least 70 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to choose, or be required, to leave at the postgraduate diploma or certificate stage.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level 7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level 7.
