MA International Relations (part time)
September 2025
Part time
36 months
This programme leads to a University of Liverpool degree which is recognised by Ministry of Education, China.
The world is undergoing profound changes nowadays. We are living in demanding times and facing detrimental challenges, from war to poverty, from global warming to pandemic diseases. Studying IR is a great way to gain a deeper understanding of global issues, which empowers human beings to better manage challenges and crises. A master’s in international relations will help develop your understanding and awareness of what is happening beyond/across/within borders and cultivate an abundance of valuable transferable skillsets such as interpersonal, analytical, decision-making and negotiation skills.
Fanglu Sun
Programme director
Modules
*Programme modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change. XJTLU students are advised to log in to the e-Bridge Portal to view the effectuated module structure.
Semester 1
Semester 2
Semester 3
Semester 4
Semester 5
Semester 6
The university offers a broad range of activities aiming to enrich master students’ theoretical and experiential learning and professional development. Trainings, workshops and seminars, covering varieties of themes and topics, both generic and subject-specific, are often offered at both university and school/department levels. You may also be provided with opportunities to work as a teaching assistant, research assistant, or intern at XJTLU. The School of Humanities and Social Sciences as well as the Department of International Studies often invite scholars and professionals for featured lectures. Such activities will not only support you in your programme study, but also develop your personal and professional skills and enhance your overall employability.
TIMETABLE
For this part-time programme, modules will be mainly delivered on weekdays (From Monday to Friday) with full-time students.
Careers
Graduates could take up a wide variety of roles in companies, non-profit organisations, consultancies, think-tanks, research institutes, regional and international organisations, and government agencies around the world that seek to recruit graduates with knowledge and experience of contemporary international relations and global affairs. The expertise on China gained from the programme, as well as the opportunity to learn Chinese, Spanish or Japanese alongside your degree, will substantially enhance your career prospects.
Overview
The MA in International Relations equips you with the knowledge, research skills and analytical tools to work at an advanced level, gain profound understanding of international relations, and train you to follow careers in both public and private sectors.
The programme is designed so you can apply acquired knowledge to analyse and evaluate topics such as global governance, the history of international relations, foreign policy, inter-state cooperation, the functions of international and regional organisations, conflict, war, security and intervention, political economy and globalisation, and regional integration.
You will be supported in your academic and professional development as a scholar, analyst or policy maker in the discipline of international relations, with a focus on China’s evolving role in the world.
Why should I study International Relations at XJTLU?
By the time you graduate from the MA in International Relations you will be able to: