When I received my unconditional offer to study MSc International Relations at the University of Glasgow, I felt a mix of excitement and curiosity. Once I accepted the offer, I knew it was time to begin preparing myself academically. Coming straight from completing my four-year undergraduate degree, I was mentally ready for the academic challenges ahead but studying in a different country brought a new set of questions like 'How different would the education system be in the UK?', 'What woudl student life look like' and 'What should I know about the International Relations programme before it started?'. Thankfully, the university made this transition smoother by sending plenty of helpful resources and guidance through emails. Here's what I did to get myself academically prepared before the programme officially began. 

Reading about the programme and what to expect

Once I accepted my offer, I received detailed information from the university about the MSc International Relations programme. The course overview described how the programme would engage with some of the biggest global issues today like terrorism, climate change, and international conflict. It also explained how the course builds a strong foundation in theory, research methods, and real-world application. This helped me understand what kind of learning experience to expect and how the programme could shape my future career whether in international organisations, government agencies, think tanks, or even doctoral study. I was sent a short video about the programme and watching this gave me an insider look into the course structure, focus areas within the programme and career prospects after the programme. 

Recommend reading list 

The university also shared some suggested readings, which gave me a sense of the academic depth I could expect. Reading even just a few chapters or articles from the materials shared helped me feel more prepared for the kinds of discussions and debates we'd be having in class. I didn't need to read everything cover to cover, just familiarising myself with the topics was a great head start.

Past students' experiences

I also found it helped to read by blogs by past students. One that stood out was by a former MSc International Relations student who transitioned from a career in law to international relations. He shared how the military strategy modules helped him connect theory with real-world developments and how the university's Graduate Skills Programme helped him prepare for the job market after graduation. His story reassured me that I was not alone in feeling uncertain at first and that the skills I would gain through the programme would be relevant far beyond the classroom. 

Tranisition to Glasgow (T2G)

After receiving my Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), I enrolled in the 'Transition to Glasgow: Postgraduate" (T2G: Postgrad) course. This was a four-day online programme held in August before the start of term. T2G was like a mini conference with sessions on academic writing, time management, postgraduate study expectations, career planning, and adjusting to academic culture in the UK. I also got to meet staff and other incoming students from around the world, which helped ease my nerves and made me feel like part of the university's community even before I arrived.

Pre-departure webinar

Close to the start of the programme, I also attended a pre-departure webinar hosted by the School of Social & Political Sciences. It covered everything I needed to know from how to register and use the university's online learning system (Moodle) to what support would be available for students like me. I also got to hear directly from current students who shared how they prepared and adjusted. Their tips were very practical, and the Q&A session at the end allowed me to get answers to specific questions I had. 

Welcome letter

Finally, just before the induction week, I received a welcome letter from the programme convenor, Dr Benjamin Faude. It included detailed information about the course structure, the compulsory and optional modules, and the schedule for induction week. There were also some introductory readings recommended to help us prepare for the first few weeks of teaching. This letter really helped me visualise how the term would be organised and what to expect in terms of workload, seminar discussions, and research.

Preparing academically for postgraduate studies doesn't have to be overwhelming. For me, it was all about taking small intentional steps: reading a bit, attending a few sessions, and being open to learning. The University of Glasgow made this transition easier with timely guidance, helpful resources, and opportunities to connect with both staff and students before term started. 

First published: 19 May 2025

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