PROSPECTIVE POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS
Strategic Studies
MSc/PgDip
Strategic Studies
MSc 12months full-time, 24months part-time
PgDip 9months full-time, 18months part-time
Main content
Four inter-related taught modules and a summer dissertation of 12 – 15, 000 words linked to material
considered in the taught modules.
The taught modules comprise (1) Strategic Theory, (2) Strategic Nuclear Doctrine (3) Latin America:
security conditions and challenges, and (4) Global Security Issues.
First semester: (late September – late January)
(1) Strategic Theory: The contribution of strategy, as the mechanism for the application of power and
force, to the national security objectives of states is considered. Topics addressed include deterrence,
preventive war, arms control, economic sanctions, and terrorism.
(2) Strategic Nuclear Doctrine: This course delivers a balanced and objective analysis of the strategic
nuclear doctrines of the nuclear powers, primarily since 1989, and investigates the potential
challenges and other factors likely to influence the future nuclear international landscape and the
relationships between nuclear actors.
Second semester: (late January – lateMay)
(3) Latin America: security conditions and challenges: International, domestic, cultural and ideological
factors which impact on security in Latin America will be considered. Topics will include narcoterrorism,
‘failed’ and ‘rogue’ states, liberation theology, revolutions, debt and globalisation, and
relations with the great powers.
(4) Global Security Issues: The nature and condition of global security in recent times, and likely
developments, are analysed. Topics include US global strategy, Russian foreign and security policies,
NATO, EU security policies, political Islam, Gulf security challenges, China’s world role, Japanese
security policy, African insecurity, and India’s foreign and defence policies.
Summer: (June – September). Dissertation of 12,000 – 15,000 words.
www.abdn.ac.uk/cass
www.abdn.ac.uk/prospectus
Special features
• It scrutinises salient, real-world security issues which challenge governments, armed services,
international organisations, and business around the world.
• This long-established degree programme of high repute has produced graduates with excellent career
prospects for over thirty years, and there is a network of alumni throughout the international system.
• The programme curriculum is regularly reviewed and refreshed by the course director, who has
guided the degree for over thirty years.
• The student body is international, with many countries represented.
Who teaches on this programme?
A small and cohesive group of very skilled academic staff with many years of graduate teaching and
supervision experience, who are part of an international network of high quality academics in strategic
studies and international security.
Strategic Theory: Mr J. H.Wyllie and Dr J. McEvoy
Strategic Nuclear Doctrine: Dr Cheryl Graham
Latin America: security conditions and challenges: Dr M. Bain and Dr A. Oelsner
Global Security Issues: Mr. J. H. Wyllie, Dr. S.Y. Kim and Dr J. McEvoy
Summer dissertation coordinator: Mr. J. H.Wyllie
Programme Assessment
Assessment is by a combination of essay work, class presentation, examination, and dissertation.
Entrance Requirements
Normally a second-class honours degree or recognised equivalent in International Relations, Politics,
Economics, Law, Geography, History, or cognate disciplines. For candidates who do not meet normal
admission requirements relevant professional experience may be taken into account, e.g. as in the case of
past or present government officials, members of the UK or other armed forces.
Programme Director
J. H. Wyllie, Reader in International Relations.
Further Information
Mr J H Wyllie
Director
Strategic Studies Programme
School of Social Science
University of Aberdeen
Aberdeen
AB24 3QY
Tel: +44 (0) 1224 272725
Email: j.h.wyllie@abdn.ac.uk
Web:www.abdn.ac.uk/pir/ss
‘You have no idea how much it contributes to the general politeness and pleasantness
of diplomacy when you have a little quiet armed force in the background’
George Kennan, US National War College, Washington DC, 1946.
Cited in John Lewis Gaddis, Strategies of Containment, Oxford University Press, 1982, p. 39.