International Relations Master in Arts by Research
Entry requirementsFor admission to the MA by Research you will normally be expected to have a good undergraduate honours degree. Each application will be considered on its merits. Where applicants do not meet the formal entrance requirements, their relevant experience will be taken into account. In addition to demonstrating experience and background knowledge related to the proposed research programme, you may be asked to do a written exercise to establish your suitability for this MA. In the case of overseas applicants, an adequate proficiency in English to prepare and defend your dissertation must be demonstrated. This will normally be a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or its equivalent. Accreditation of prior learning may be considered for some applicants on enrolment, thereby reducing an applicants period of study. This will be determined in accordance with University Regulations.
Academic titleInternational Relations Master in Arts by Research
Course descriptionThe MA by Research offers you the opportunity to do substantial research on an aspect of History, International Relations or Politics, after completing one module in that subject and one on research methods.
Course content
On this new Master's degree you will embark upon a shorter and more flexible research programme than the traditional MPhil and PhD, which offers you greater opportunity for originality and sustained scholarly investigation than the dissertation on the taught Masters' degrees at Coventry University. You may study full-time or part-time for the MA by Research. The latter enables study and work to be combined as part of career development, as well as providing life-long learning opportunities. Within the History, International Relations and Politics Subject Group, the MA by Research is complemented by well established taught Masters' programmes in Diplomacy, Law and Global Change, European Nationalism and Integration, Third World Studies, and Peace and Reconciliation Studies. A new MA in Twentieth-Century International History will be offered in 2002. Modules from these MAs will form the taught element of the MA by Research. In Coventry Business School, extensive research is undertaken in History, International
Relations and Politics, and its strength was recognised in the award of a grade 4 in the national Research Assessment in 2001. Postgraduate research and teaching in these subjects are further enhanced by the activities of the Research Centres for African Studies, European and International Studies, South Asian Studies, and the Study of Forgiveness and Reconciliation. Our research active staff will provide experienced supervision of your thesis.
MA Programme
The MA by Research is designed on the basis of 45 weeks (or equivalent) of full-time study. For full-time students the minimum period of registration is 12 months and the maximum is 24 months. For part-time students, the periods are 18 months and 36 months respectively. With accredited prior learning, the period of registration may be less than these minimum periods. The degree programme comprises:
* a subject-based mandatory module that is designed to provide core conceptual and analytical frameworks;
* a research skills and methods module - the other taught component - that is designed to enhance independent study and research skills; and
* after passing these taught modules, a 30,000 word thesis.
Additional support for international students
Coventry University takes pride in the culture and richness that its international students bring to campus life. Currently over 2,000 international students from some 90 countries are pursuing programmes of study here, with a growing amount enrolling on postgraduate courses. A recent report ranked the University highly in terms of international student numbers, recognising our reputation as a leading international institution.
To meet the needs of this rapidly growing community within the University's student population, our International Office is on hand to provide assistance on all relevant matters such as visas and immigration. It also serves as an information centre to help international visitors locate the many services and activities both on campus and further afield.