External summary

• The programme reflects the multiple ways in which European Politics and the international and global context relate to each other. European integration serves as a powerful example of how, in a globalised world, cooperation has become an imperative more than an option. On their own, states often lack adequate instruments to tackle some of the most pressing challenges of our time: trade, capital, ideas, people, technology, information, disease and crime all flow more freely ??? these problems are transnational in nature, they transcend national borders and thus require multilateral solutions. The MSc IEP takes adequate account of the global significance of the European dimension in international affairs while still offering you a solid understanding of the substantive academic debates in other related fields. The programme offers students the opportunity to pursue interdisciplinary studies in a large and intellectually stimulating community.
• Edinburgh offers an experience unparalleled elsewhere because of its expertise in both International Relations and European integration.  An important component of this experience is its Europa Institute, the UK???s longest-existing centre for excellence in the study of the politics, law and economics of European integration. The Europa Institute hosts a rich variety of events ??? such as the weekly Transatlantic Seminar ??? that give students the chance to debate and reflect upon current issues in IR and the evolution of European integration and be exposed to the views of leading academics as well as practitioners from the political and policy worlds.
• The programme offers a foundation in European institutions, governance and public policy through its core courses and the opportunity to explore a range of subjects in IR and European studies through the course options.
• It also features the optional European Practitioner Pathway, which includes the option of a work-based placement and related research report and project diary in place of a traditional dissertation. All students on the programme also have a guaranteed place on our part-subsidised annual study trip to Brussels, which involves visits to EU institutions, NATO, political consultancies and career focused networking events. 

Educational aims of programme

• to equip students with an advanced knowledge and understanding of contemporary international and European politics, including international institutions and structures, legal, political and policy processes.
• to equip students with an advanced understanding of theoretical and methodological debates in the study of international and European politics,
• to equip students with high-quality skills in the synthesis of information and the analysis and self-reflected and critical presentation of argument, orally and in writing,
• to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed for progression to higher level academic study or to relevant professional work,
• to enable students to analyse and critically evaluate alternative explanations of developments in contemporary international and European politics,
• to enable students to develop specialist expertise in particular areas of interest within international and European politics,
• to enable students to undertake independent research, and to provide a programme of study informed by a rich and active research culture.

Programme outcomes: Knowledge and understanding

By the end of the programme all students would be expected:

• to know and understand core explanatory theories, concepts, institutions and issues in the study of international and European politics,
• to have specialist in-depth knowledge of specific areas and issues in international and European politics,
• to know key contemporary debates in existing academic literatures in journals and books on international and European politics,
• to be able to analyse and critically evaluate competing theoretical paradigms in the explanation and judgment of international and European politics,
• to be able to apply explanatory models to understand and critically reflect and analyse specific developments within international and European politics, and
• to be able to draw on a variety of disciplinary paradigms in the understanding of international and European politics.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in research and enquiry

The MSc IEP degree seeks to provide students with research skills that culminates in the writing of a dissertation or extended piece of work based on a placement, independently researched but under the supervision of an academic member of staff.  Graduates should be able to demonstrate clearly to prospective employees that they are capable of undertaking independent research projects.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal and intellectual autonomy

Graduates of the MSc IEP degree should have attained the self-confidence to present themselves as serious social scientists to prospective employees or Universities to which they might apply to do further postgraduate work.  They are expected to develop clear intellectual growth and autonomy, and to develop a world-view that they can defend convincingly orally and in writing.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in communication

Graduates of the MSc IEP degree are expected to have refined and honed their communications skills, both orally and in writing, by the end of their degree.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal effectiveness

Graduates of the MSc IEP degree are expected to have developed skills that allow them to engage confidently and articulately in interpersonal relations.

Programme outcomes: Technical/practical skills

Graduates of the MSc IEP degree are expected to develop practical research skills in terms of being able to develop answers to complex questions put to them and have practical knowledge of the current role of Europe in international politics.

Programme structure and features

The full-time MSc programme is taken over 12 months of full-time study (September to August). The part-time MSc programme lasts for 24 months. Candidates for both MSc and Diploma (see below) are normally required to take the two compulsory core courses and four further optional courses of their choice. Courses normally consist of 2 class-contact hours per week where regular attendance is expected and necessary for good progress. Candidates for the Diploma are required to pass all taught courses. MSc students are required to pass the coursework (minimum 50%) before undertaking a dissertation between April and August.

In the full-time programme, students are expected to take 60 course credits per semester (equalling three 20-credit courses each semester). In the part-time programme, these requirements are spread out over 4 semesters. Students are encouraged to discuss an effective structure of their part-time study with the Programme Director before deciding how many courses to do in each semester of their part-time study.

The dissertation is the point at which students progress from the structured study of courses to independent, self-structured study.  In preparation, students benefit from the experience and guidance of staff members as well as a dissertation workshop. The dissertation is a maximum 15,000 words. Students select the topic of their dissertation. They are expected to demonstrate the ability to engage critically and analytically in literature in the field, building upon relevant concepts and theory covered in the taught element of the degree.  There is usually expected to be a balance of empirical and theoretical work.  However, students are not required to conduct primary empirical research.  The dissertation may vary in breadth of coverage, depending on the interests of the student.

Teaching and learning methods and strategies

Teaching is based on lectures and seminars. An important part of learning takes place through individual reading and reflection, which then feed into group discussions, presentations and individual interventions.  Students are therefore expected to read extensively and deeply in preparation for all seminars, and to participate fully in class. From the outset, students must cultivate the study skills required for scholarship at an advanced, truly postgraduate level ??? with full use of library, effective note taking, critical analysis, class participation and writing.

Assessment methods and strategies

Assessment is based on a diverse range of assignment, ranging from essays, research reviews, book reviews and policy briefs to seminar participation and presentations, depending on the course. Teaching staff offer weekly ???guidance and feedback hours??? where students can get guidance on assessment and effective learning strategies.

Career opportunities

The MSc IEP is both an academic and practical degree, designed to prepare students for careers in public service, private lobbying/consulting, work in non-governmental and international organisations, as well as academia.