International Security MA

Course overview

Societies around the world face evolving, often interlinked, threats to their peace, integrity, and prosperity. Matters of international security – from military conflict and hybrid threats to climate change and the shifting international order – present major challenges for governments and other stakeholders. These challenges demand new thinking and new solutions. 

The Masters in International Security is designed to develop your knowledge of the complex and diverse issues which define the global security agenda. By studying this interdisciplinary course, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of theoretical approaches in security studies and become equipped to consider key challenges and their policy responses through a critical lens. 

You’ll study a range of pressing real-world issues from a variety of security perspectives and consider the political and ethical implications of security interventions in these areas. Topics include climate security, nuclear weapons, technological challenges and Artificial Intelligence, global health security, terrorism, and the Women, Peace and Security agenda. 

Security challenges defy academic boundaries and must be analysed within their social, cultural, historical, legal and political contexts. This course draws from a wide range of disciplinary perspectives to interrogate the way we currently understand and address security issues. The course will also help you to critically examine the ways in which different security agendas sometimes conflict with one another and how securitising our challenges can sometimes introduce new ones. 

This Masters course unites our commitment and expertise in seeking to understand and develop responses to the most pressing global challenges. 

Security at Leeds 

This course is part of a suite of three postgraduate courses in the School of Politics and International Studies with a focus on security issues. You may also be interested in our specialist MA Conflict, Development and Peacebuilding and MA Terrorism and Insurgency courses. 

Course highlights

• Benefit from the academic expertise within the School of Politics and International Studies and the Centre for Global Security Challenges, a leading interdisciplinary research centre for security debates that examines themes of environment, health, gender, conflict, terrorism and international order.
• Gain specialist knowledge in the debates around global security challenges and the political and ethical concerns they raise.
• Tailor the course according to your interests with optional modules in climate security, civil war, terrorism, global governance, insurgency, and more.
• Develop transferable skills in research, analysis, group work and communication.
• Gain the knowledge, experience and analytical skills needed for a career delivering change, for example in the civil service, non-governmental organisations, the armed forces, international organisations, the private sector, campaigning and political lobbying, policing, academia, and more.

Course details and modules

You’ll study two core modules that introduce you to key security debates and issues. These modules examine the evolving security agenda – including important concepts and theories – and explore pressing contemporary challenges including ecological security and climate change, the implications of artificial intelligence, the changing international order, the Women Peace and Security agenda, military security challenges and public health, amongst others. 

You’ll have a choice of optional modules that allow you to specialise in the areas of particular interest to you, such as terrorism and counter-terrorism, European security, gender, climate security, insurgency, global governance, and global justice. 

At the end of the course, you’ll submit your dissertation. This is an in-depth, independent piece of research on a related topic of your choice, which will allow you to demonstrate and apply the knowledge and skills you’ve acquired during the year.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read International Security MA in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

Learning and teaching

We use a variety of teaching and learning methods to help you make the most of your studies. These will include lectures, lively seminar discussions, classroom tasks and group activities, online learning and guided weekly readings.

We expect you to participate fully in taught sessions and to study independently, developing your skills and preparing for lectures and seminars. You'll also be able to benefit from an impressive range of research talks and seminars led by outside speakers and colleagues from within the department and University.

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

Within modules, assessment consists primarily of assessed essays. At the end of your studies, a 12,000-word dissertation will allow you to pursue your own research interest under close supervision by one of our expert colleagues. 

Applying

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) or a non-UK equivalent in a social science, humanities, or another related discipline (that includes a minimum of five social science and humanities modules).

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component.. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Politics and Society (6 weeks) and Language for Social Sciences and Arts: Politics and Society (10 weeks).

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional and our 10 week online pre-sessional. 

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

How to apply

Deadlines

International – Friday 26 June 2026

UK – Friday 14 August 2026

If you intend to apply for funding, you should submit an application for a place on your chosen course at least one month before any specific scholarship deadline.

The ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page takes you to information on applying for taught courses and to the University's online application system.

If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Documents and information you will need include:

• Original or certified copies of your transcripts
• Original or certified copies of your degree certificate
• Original or certified copy of your IELTS/TOEFL results (if English is not your first language).

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2026

Contact us

School of Politics and International Studies

Email: pgpolis@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Fees

UK: To be confirmed

International: To be confirmed

Additional cost information

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

The School offers a number of scholarships each year. Find out more about our scholarship opportunities. 

Career opportunities

This course prepares you for various career paths in the international political arena, equipping you with critical thinking, research and communication skills and in-depth knowledge sought after by employers. 

Graduates may pursue careers in non-governmental organisations, armed forces, the civil service, journalism, policing, campaigning and political lobbying or can continue into academia by undertaking research at PhD level. 

Careers support

The School of Politics and International Studies has a dedicated Careers Consultant, who is on-hand throughout the year to support and advise you in regards to your career. The School also arranges a number of guest speaker events, where you’re able to engage with prospective employers and hear from leading figures in the field. 

Find out more about how we support your career development. 

In addition to the School-specific careers support, you'll also have access to the University’s award-winning Careers Service. The Careers Service offers one-to-one appointments, advice on starting your own business, careers events, mentoring schemes and support with your CV, applications and interviews.