MScEcon Politics and International Relations

**Funding opportunities available**

There is an option to continue to Laurea Magistrale at Turin University. This programme (“PIR”) is designed principally for students wishing to obtain the Cardiff Masters and the Laurea Magistrale in scienze internazionali (Turin). Advanced English and Italian language skills are required. Successful completion of the one-year MSc permits transfer to Turin for a second year of Masters studies, leading to the Laurea Magistrale.

Students not wishing to obtain the Laurea Magistrale but who have degree-level Italian language skills are nevertheless welcome on this MSc Econ programme.

Programme

• Taught Masters degree studying international relations and, if desired, Italian government and politics.

Structure

• In the Autumn semester (September to January) all students take a 30-credit module Issues in International relations and a 15-credit module in Research Methods. These lay the foundations for more specialised, option modules in the Spring semester (January to May).
• Non-native Italian speakers take a 15-credit module (running over both semesters) in advanced Italian. Native Italian speakers take a further, optional 15-credit module in the Autumn semester.
• The MScEcon Politics and International Relations handbook has more detailed information on the degree structure, requirements and courses offered.

Assessment

• Assessment is mostly by essays and a dissertation

Teaching

• Teaching is delivered by experts in their fields, and includes small group (seminar) teaching.
• The School appears in the 1st quartile of all major indicators in the UK's Research Assessment Exercise, including 2nd of 27 for Research Power
• Political Science at Cardiff is rated excellent by the Centre for Higher Educational Development (CHE).

Duration

• One year full-time (for the Cardiff MSc)
• Plus a further year full-time in Turin, if you proceed

Starting date

• There is one intake each year in late September

Fees and support

• Information on fees
• Scholarships are available

University residences

• All overseas/EU postgraduate students are guaranteed a single occupancy place in University residences, subject to conditions
• Unfortunately we are unable to guarantee UK postgraduates a place in University residences, but we organise a House Hunting Event to assist in your hunt for accommodation
• The majority of study bedrooms have en-suite facilities and all halls of residence have high speed internet access
• The Residences web site has further details on accommodation

Living expenses

• Cardiff: ‘one of the cheapest and safest cities in the UK’ (Sunday Times University Guide 2011)
• For 2011-12 the average student living expenses for the year, including the cost of accommodation, food, books, and other items, is expected to be approximately £8,400

Entry requirements

• The equivalent of a second class degree (2.1) is normally required (eg. Grade Point Average of 3.0 or above)
• There are English language requirements for those whose first language is not English. The equivalent of 6.5 in IELTS including 6 in each element and 6.5 in writing must be obtained.
• The Italian language requirement is normally a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, for further information

When to apply

• Early application is strongly recommended
• Later applications will be considered, but international students must bear in mind the time needed to obtain a visa

How to apply

• Applications can either be made online or by using paper forms
• Supporting documentation including references will be required