Master of Arts in International Politics and East Asia

at University of Warwick United Kingdom

Do you want to identify solutions for global inequalities in food, education, work, and justice? Do you agree that our environment and societies are becoming increasingly unstable and volatile? Want to expand your knowledge of the social, economic, and environmental injustices that are unsustainable and demand change throughout the world?

If you are keen to search for the answers and make a difference to our world, our Global Sustainable Development (GSD) course is for you. On this degree you will explore how we can work and live in a way that safeguards environmental, social and economic wellbeing, both in the present and for future generations.

GSD students are aspiring global citizens with social consciences. They are flexible, adaptable and broad-minded.

By studying GSD, you will take a transdisciplinary approach and confront issues from a diverse array of perspectives. You will need to be ready to think creatively and embrace new opinions from your peers from across the world. We will challenge you to become an active participant in your own learning.

You can enhance your skills and studies through optional work placements, study abroad, and certificates.

Study abroad

We encourage you to take the opportunity to study abroad during your course at Warwick.

• Enjoy the freedom to take chances with your module choices.
• Push yourself outside of your comfort zone with your learning.
• You may have the opportunity to learn a new language and immerse yourself in a new learning context.

Astrophysics has a special flavor. With the arrival of space-based instrumentation and gravitational wave detection, some of the most exciting discoveries in your life are likely to come in astrophysics.

However, we can't conduct experiments on stars or galaxies as they're too far away and too big. Instead, we need to piece together explanations of what we see. This involves understanding the fundamental physics mechanics, quantum theory, relativity, thermodynamics and trying to work out what they imply for exoplanets, galaxies, stars and the Universe as a whole.

The course covers the principles of physics and their application to explain astrophysical phenomena. In your first year, you will study the classification of astrophysical objects and how we observe them. During the second year, you will study the solar system and stars in some detail. In the third and fourth years, you can study a range of topics including cosmology, exoplanets, the physics of compact objects (black holes, neutron stars and white dwarfs), general relativity and our Sun.

You will be mentored by, and work on projects with, astrophysicists.

Taking a cross-discipline approach, you will consider the relationships between a functioning society, and how political and legal systems are structured and operate. The course will also develop your understanding of the philosophical origins and basis for law and politics.

You may explore concepts such as justice, freedom, morals and democracy, as well as the formulation and implementation of law and policy across the world. In addition to core modules in each discipline, there is significant flexibility as the course progresses to choose optional modules from within the three departments as well as across the University.

You will have the opportunity to apply to spend a year abroad with one of our international partners and you may also apply to take a work placement.

Study abroad

We support student mobility through year abroad programs. PPL students have the opportunity to apply for an intercalated year of study abroad at one of our prestigious partner universities.

This course is designed for technically-minded graduates with a background in computer science, mathematics or the physical sciences.

It provides a comprehensive preparation for the use of cutting-edge techniques in industry, though its research focus also makes it an excellent starting point for research career, through PhD study or in a commercial setting.

This course offers training in the foundations of psychology, decision-making, and behavioural economics. It will also develop your understanding of state-of-the-art methods in data science and data analytics, focusing on statistical methods, machine learning, and data visualisation.

You will gain an understanding of large-scale patterns in data, with an eye to comprehending the underlying factors driving human behaviour. This can be used to understand economics, politics, history, wellbeing, and many other large-scale patterns at national and international levels. Previous experience in behavioural science is not necessary, but you should have basic programming skills in at least one programming language.

Skills from this degree

Graduates will be able to:

• Use data to understand how and why people make the choices they do, and understanding the consequences of their choices in relation to public policy (e.g. encouraging people to save for pensions or change to low-carbon behaviours), industry (e.g. understanding how to place a new product in the market), and individual behaviour (e.g. understanding why people drink and eat too much)
• Access and analyse large-scale datasets
• Utilise state-of-the-art techniques in data analysis and visualisation
• Design and conduct studies using data analysis to understand behaviour

Our MSc programme encompasses a breadth of pure and applied mathematics. This makes it an ideal choice if you aspire to become a professional scientist or you have a reasonable mathematical background and wish to learn about the interactions between sciences and mathematics.

As an interdisciplinary MSc student, you will take modules in related subjects such as Physics, Biology, Economics or any of the other departments listed below. The knowledge and skills you will acquire will prove useful for a range of future scientific careers or if you wish to progress to PhD level studies in Mathematics or one of the sciences.

Skills from this degree

• Conducting independent research on a challenging problem
• Gathering and organising data to make a case
• Preparing and delivering a technical presentation
• Scientific communication
• Technical precision
• Organising, absorbing and consolidating information and techniques
• Applying knowledge in the solution of complex problems

This course examines the political and social dimensions of history and international relations. We examine how historical events, actors and institutional legacies have influenced the world we live in today. And we discover complementary insights that can be gained from combining historical and political research. Together we will explore the theory and the reality of why people and states interact in the ways they do.

The two subjects complement each other - one exploring historical events and trends, and the other understanding how those legacies shape politics today. The two Departments in which you will learn (History and PAIS) approach shared research areas such as globalisation, conflict, democracy and human rights from different perspectives. You will explore themes in political, religious, cultural or social history, and will be able to select optional modules in both Departments to explore specialist themes and geographic areas in more detail.

Students will be offered the opportunity at the start of their second year to apply for an optional intercalated year of study abroad or year's work placement, or a combined year of study and work placements.

Following the application process, those students who are offered and take up a study and/or work placement place transfer to the four-year History and Politics (with a Year Abroad) course, with the Year Abroad or work placement as the third of the four years.

Study abroad

History and Politics students have the opportunity to join history students for a term in Venice at the start of year three. You can also apply for an intercalated year at one of the partner universities offered by either the History Department or the Department of Politics and International Studies (PAIS).

The Student Mobility Team based in the Office for Student Opportunity offers support for these activities, and the History Department's dedicated Study Abroad Co-ordinator and the PAIS Director of External Affairs can provide more specific information and assistance.

Our Biological Sciences course spans the entire scale of biological systems, from molecules to ecosystems. Our exceptionally wide range of options allow you to choose modules that are best suited to your interests and career ambitions.

You will be exposed to cutting-edge research in molecular, cellular and whole organism biology, while covering applications of science to major global challenges such as environmental management, food security and human health.

Developed out of our very successful Biotechnology, Bioprocessing and Business Management MSc, this course will provide you with knowledge and understanding of the key technical, business and societal issues relevant to the operation and development of medical biotechnology industries. It will equip you to make original and informed contributions to advance and develop these industries.

It will also develop your capability to research and analyse market needs for medical product development and propose technical strategy based on up-to-date information and leading-edge diagnostic technology.

Skills from this degree

You will gain:

• Theoretical and practical knowledge and understanding of the scientific and business factors which influence the biomedical sciences industry
• The ability to appraise and analyse financial and business implications in a global context
• The ability to recognise and manage the inherent problems in medical biotechnology business development, and propose solutions based on current knowledge and original thought
• Transferable skills including team working, communicating with peers and sector specialists, organising, planning and oral presentation
• Research skills including scientific report writing, numerical skills, logical reasoning, critical analysis and project work which includes the ability to estimate, plan, cost and monitor activities.

By studying linguistics together with German, you will explore the fascinating human capacity for language, while also building your fluency in German. As a linguist, you will learn about the structure and function of language, and about relationships between language and society.

You will also study and practice written and oral communication in German, and learn broadly about communicating across languages and cultures. Your skills in linguistic analysis will support your language learning, and your knowledge of German will complement your work as a linguist. This course opens many career opportunities that require the knowledge and skills of both a modern language and a deep understanding of language, culture and communication.

(75% linguistics, 25% German).

Study abroad

If you wish to spend a year abroad (which we thoroughly recommend), this will take place in your third year, meaning that you will complete your degree in four years instead of three. All students have the opportunity to apply for an intercalated year abroad at one of our partner universities. The Student Mobility Team offers support for these activities, and the Department's dedicated Study Abroad Co-ordinator can provide more specific information and assistance.