The Graduate Institute of Political and
International Studies (GIPIS)

INTRODUCTION
The Graduate Institute of Political and International Studies (GIPIS) at the University of Reading was established as the Graduate School of European and International Studies (GSEIS) in the mid-1960s, as one of the leading multi-disciplinary centres of teaching and research in European and International Studies in the UK. In 2002 the Quality Assurance Agency rated the Institute and Department ‘Excellent’ in its nationwide assessment of teaching and learning in higher education.

  The Institute’s teaching and research covers:

• European political and economic integration and culture,
• Diplomacy, International politics/law/ organisations,
• Globalisation, Strategy and defence,
• Arms control and non-proliferation,
• Security and terrorism,
• Trade,
• Political theory and public ethics/ International business and political economy,
• Russia and the former Soviet space/The politics of Mediterranean countries-Africa and the Middle East, Asia-Pacific

Postgraduate Study/ Research
Our postgraduates/research students are a vital part of the University life, representing almost 30 per cent of our total student population.  In joining them you will benefit from:

• inspiring teaching and innovative research
• access to world-class researchers

For candidates wishing to take ESRC recognised Research Training the University offers:

• General Research and Transferable Skills  (10 credits)
• Essentials of Research Methods  (20 credits)

These courses are co-requisite for our own Research Methods composed of:

• Philosophical Issues  (10 credits)
• Techniques of Data Collection & Analysis  (10 credits)
• Quantitative Data Analysis  (10 credits)

Taught MA PROGRAMMES

MA European Studies
The programme studies the political and economic dimensions of Europe from a multidisciplinary perspective. It provides students with a thorough knowledge of the political, economic and cultural dimensions of the EU and its place in the wider international context, a good grasp of topical problems, developments and the current theoretical debates that surround the internal and external relations of the region.  With their choice of options students are able to specialise in one of the two dimensions of the programme: political and economic.

MA EU Politics (with Research)
The programme is primarily aimed at students who wish to progress to a research degree after completion of the Master degree.  It aims to provide students with a thorough knowledge of the European Union and its lace in the wider international context.  Specifically the programme focuses on political, economic and legal relations at an intra and extra-regional level.  It aims to equip students with a good understanding of the current theoretical debates that surround the internal and external relations of the region and, with its strong emphasis on Research Training, enable students to develop their analytical skills in evaluating primary and secondary source material

MA Diplomacy
This degree provides an excellent academic training for prospective and practising diplomats, civil servants, journalists or academics and is designed to develop their understanding of practices and procedures of modern diplomacy, enhance their ability to work effectively within the diplomatic community, and develop a systematic understanding of international affairs. The primary focus of the degree is on diplomatic methodology, practice and law.

MA International Relations
The programme aims to provide students with a deeper knowledge and theoretical understanding of the academic discipline of International Relations than that provided at the undergraduate level. It seeks to acquaint them with the current debates in the field and their relationship to contemporary problems of world politics. It also aims to strengthen their ability for critical analysis of International Relations. It offers the opportunity for specialisation in various aspects of international politics, strategic studies, international political economy, international law, international organisations, and area studies.

MA International Law and World Order
The programme introduces students to theoretical and practical approaches to the study of the separate but related disciplines of International Law and International Relations. Its core module, International Law and World Order, in particular encourages interdisciplinary scholarship. The programme encourages the ability to delineate and evaluate issues, select relevant materials and produce arguments encompassing policy, existing practice and knowledge at an advanced level in International Law and International Relations. Students write a dissertation of 15,000 words.

MA International Security Studies
This interdisciplinary course examines threats to security at many levels of modern life and the ways in which the international community, governments and other actors have sought and now seek to tackle them.  It explores theories and concepts relating to international and global security, peace and strategic studies, and conflict resolution, and provides empirical knowledge of major security issues with a focus on the Cold War and post-Cold War periods.  The degree is an excellent preparation for many careers as in the civil and foreign service, non-governmental and international organisation, private firms and research.

MA Strategic Studies
The MA in Strategic Studies offers a comprehensive education in both the theory and practice of strategy.  In the current challenging strategic environment, a dedicated study of this subject is required for all those who seek to understand modern warfare and how military force can be used in the pursuit of policy objectives.  The programme also provides an invaluable education for those who are currently engaged, or seek a career, in the defence profession. 
It provides a thorough analysis of contemporary strategic issues and the challenges of defence planning in the modern world.  This analysis is aided by an exploration of the great works of strategic theory, and an examination of some of the most significant historical case studies in the practice of strategy.  The latter will include the campaigns of Alexander the Great; US Civil War; World War Two; Vietnam; and the two US-led wars against Iraq.

For further information please visit http://www.reading.ac.uk/GIPIS or click the hyperlink below.

Application Address

The Secretary
Graduate Institute of Political & International Studies
The University of Reading
Whiteknights
PO Box 218
Reading
Berkshire
RG6 6AA

Telephone:   ++ 44 118 378 8378
Fax:   ++ 44 118 975 3833
Email:   GIPIS@reading.ac.uk
Web Site:   http://www.reading.ac.uk/GIPIS