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 ranging from terrorism and cyber security to disease, migration and climate change.  The MRes in Global Security offers you the opportunity to examine many of these contemporary threats, and the strategic actions and policy developments designed to deal with them. It also provides a deep understanding of social science research methods. This equips you to undertake a PhD or to work in a wide variety of research roles in fields associated with global security issues.

Programme overview

• MRes: 12 months full-time; 24 months part-time

Core courses

• International security and global politics
• Thematic issues in global security
• Qualitative research methods 
• Social sciences statistics
• Introduction to social theory for researchers
• Dissertation.

Optional courses

Optional courses reflect security issues at local, national, regional and global levels.  The following is an indicative list of available options. A full list of options is available from the programme convenor and may change depending on course availability.

• Critical perspectives on securities and vulnerabilities
• Comparative approaches to warfare and violent conflict
• Freedom, security and justice in the European Union
• Globalisation and european integration
• Globalisation and the new security agenda in central and eastern europe
• Society, environment and the concept of sustainable development in post Soviet Russia
• Post-Soviet Russia: renegotiating global and local iIdentities
• The European Union in international politics and development
• International relations theory
• The Internet and civil society
• Human rights and global politics
• Insurgency and counter-insurgency, 1800-present
• British military power since 1945
• The American way of war: from the revolution to the war on terror
• Social change and social justice: activism, social movements and democracy
• Development, postcolonialism and environment
• The global criminal economy
• Ethics in global politics

Career prospects

The MRes in Global Security provides a dedicated research training pathway if you are to looking to go onto doctoral study or to seek a career within a social research field.

Academic entry requirements

Entry requirements for postgraduate taught programmes are a 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification (for example, GPA 3.0 or above) in a relevant subject.

International students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College, who offer a range of foundation courses.

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training):

• overall score 6.5
• no sub-test less than 6.0
• or equivalent scores in another recognised qualification (see below)
   

Common equivalent English language qualifications:

• ibTOEFL: 92; no sub-test less than 20
• CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): B minimum
• CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): C minimum
• PTE Academic (Person Test of English, Academic test): 60; no sub-test less than 59

Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the Language Centre Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

• Language Centre, University of Glasgow
• BALEAP guide to accredited courses 

FAQs

Visa requirements and proof of English language level

It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.

If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:

• UK Border Agency Tier 4 English Language requirements
• UKBA list of approved English language tests [pdf]

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office: pgadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk

Apply now

For 2013-14

MRes