International Security: Conflict, Crime and Justice MScL

Overview

Gain an advanced understanding of the key concepts, theories, and debates central to international security and its ramifications.

On our International Security MScL programme, you'll study different perspectives and approaches to security and its associated global challenges.

Our unique interdisciplinary programme combines perspectives from geography, politics, sociology and law. You'll also draw upon ‘traditional’ fields of security and defence, digital security and new technologies, human security, and securities of place.

You'll be taught by experts from across Geography, Politics, Sociology and Law and will study a range of modules on topics including:

• Crime and policing
• National defence strategies
• International criminal law
• International human rights
• Geopolitics
• International organisations, legal framework and treaties
• Social media regulation
• Digital and cybersecurity laws and policies
• Migration and mobilities

Our experts draw upon real-world scenarios to advance your knowledge of international security. Their challenge-oriented approach to security studies will challenge you intellectually and equip you with the skills needed for your career.

The field of international security offers a range of exciting career opportunities. Whether you’re just starting your career journey or are taking your career to the next level, our programme will help you reach your goals.

We're living in a period of geopolitical instability. There's renewed focus on the legitimacy and effectiveness of international institutions, and questions emerging about the role of law in the global arena.

This has resulted in an increased demand among policymakers, civil society, and private stakeholders for a better understanding of the security implications of contemporary developments.

Together we’ll engage with these questions, investigate potential interdisciplinary solutions, and examine their broader implications and consequences.

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

 

What you'll learn

With particular focus on conflict, crime and security, you’ll:

• gain an in-depth understanding of the concepts, theories, debates and legal frameworks that shape the field of international security
• develop expert knowledge of interdisciplinary social science research methods and approaches and learn how to apply them in practice
• explore a range of case studies across regions, applying theoretical concepts to real-world examples of international security issues.

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Course content changes

Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

 

International Security MScL modules

All students will take all of the following compulsory modules:

Module Title	Credits
SEC8101 Researching Security: Interdisciplinary Methods	20
SEC8026 Global Security: Politics, Space and Society	20
SEC8102 Security Dissertation	60

All students will take two of the following modules: 

Module Title	Credits
LAW8146 Foundations of Public International Law	20
LAW8581 Social Media Regulation	20
LAW8551 International Criminal Law	20
LAW8572 International Human Rights and Development: Global Challenges	20
LAW8135 Law of Armed Conflict	20
LAW8230 Global Security Law	20
LAW8131 Cybersecurity Law and Policy	20

All students will take two of the following modules: 

Module Title	Credits
GEO8028 Political Geographies of the Middle East	20
GEO8031 Migration and Displacement	20
GEO8030 Geographical Inequalities and Policy	20
POL8006 Theories of International Relations	20
POL8044 Critical Geopolitics	20
POL8020 American Foreign Policy	20
POL8043 Globalisation, Poverty and Development	20
SOC8073 Perpetual Wars? Crime, Policing and (in)security	20
SOC8054 Theorising Gender and its Intersections	20
SOC8070 Global Sex, Global Race	20
SOC8072 Inequalities, Issues and Intersections	20

With the approval of the Degree Programme Director and depending upon the academic background of the candidate, alternative optional modules to those listed above may be selected. 

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

Teaching methods will depend on the optional modules you choose. You’ll be taught using a range of methods, including:

• lectures
• discussion workshops and seminars
• seminars
• groupwork
• guest speakers
• policy and legal drafting simulations

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Case study
• Dissertation
• Essay
• Oral presentation
• Poster
• Portfolio
• Problem-solving exercises
• Research proposal
• Written exercise

Student support

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• peers
• academics
• personal tutors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

Our staff

Our academics bring expertise across a broad spectrum of expertise across Law, Politics, Sociology, and Geography, with a particular emphasis on critical global and societal challenges.

Their specialisms include technology regulation, international and public law, international human rights, and the Women, Peace, and Security agenda.

Additionally, they engage deeply with political and societal studies, such as youth subcultures, political violence, migration, counterinsurgency, urban governance, and feminist approaches to foreign and defence policy.

Professor Benjamin Farrand, Professor of Law and Emerging Technologies

Professor Kyle Grayson, Professor in Security, Politics and Culture

Dr Elena Katselli, Reader in Public International Law

Professor Jocelyn Mawdsley, Professor in European Politics

Dr Karenza Moore, Reader in Sociology

Dr Gethin Rees, Senior Lecturer in Sociology

Dr Matthew Richmond, Lecturer in Political Geography

Dr Dimitris Skleparis, Senior Lecturer in Politics of Security

Professor Rhona Smith, Professor of International Human Rights

Dr Elliot Winter, Senior Lecturer in Law

Dr Katharine AM Wright, Senior Lecturer in International Politics

Dr Deniz Yonucu, Senior Lecturer in Sociology

Your development

Over the course of your masters you’ll develop a range of professional, research and practical skills highly desired by a range of employers.

You’ll learn how to:

• work across multi-disciplinary teams
• critically evaluate key arguments and themes
• synthesise information from a variety of primary and secondary sources
• enhance your ability to communicate both orally and in writing to different audiences
• plan, conduct and communicate your own research and work

Your future

We work with our career service as well as recent graduates to host a number of events throughout the year to support your career development.

Industry Links

We have strong links with industries, law firms, sectoral regulators and governments allowing us to help our graduates in establishing direct connections within the industry.

Our graduates go on to careers in a range of different sectors, including within:

• Local and national government
• International organisations (e.g. International Organisation for Migration, UN, OECD)
• Voluntary and non-governmental organisations (charitable bodies, think-tanks and advocacy groups)
• Public and private legal practice
• Journalism
• International development
• Regulation and compliance

Further Study

Students on this programme develop advanced research skills. This is excellent preparation for those interested in further academic study and research.

Our Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

Facilities

You'll have access to common student workspaces in the Henry Daysh Building which has a cafe on its ground floor and is home to Geography, Politics and Sociology (GPS).

Access to kitchen facilities and social areas are available across the building.

Read more about the Henry Daysh Building

You'll also have access to the facilities in the Windsor Terrace Law School, including facilities such as a:

• dedicated Postgraduate Taught hub with common room
• computer lab
• kitchen
• general student common room.

Students are also welcome to attend events organised by our research clusters.

Read more about the Newcastle Law School

You can also book study and meeting rooms and access a range of support services for your studies in the Philip Robinson library, opposite the Newcastle Law School and a five-minute walk from GPS.

Read more about the Philip Robinson Library

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)

Tuition fee increases

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support. You may be eligible for a scholarship worth 25% off the international fee. Search our funding database. 

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination
• graduation

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

Search for funding

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INTO International Pre-Master's - Pathway course

Our Business and Humanities Pre-Master's will prepare you for Master's study at Newcastle. If you're successful then you're guaranteed a place on this Master's course. 

• Business and Humanities Pre-Master's

How to apply

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

 

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.

Apply Online  

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