Strategic Studies, _MSc

Programme Fees

Fee information

Fee category	Cost
UK
Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year	£11,100
Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year (University of Aberdeen Graduates *)	£7,000
University of Aberdeen graduates are eligible for the Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship, reducing tuition fees to £7,000 - matching the current SAAS tuition loan - See full terms and conditions
EU / International students
Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year	£23,000
Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year (Self-funded Students *)	£15,000
The above fee includes the £8,000 Aberdeen Global Scholarship provided to self-funded international students. Full terms and conditions apply.

Stage 1

Compulsory Courses

Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5506)

This course, which is prescribed for all taught postgraduate students, is studied entirely online, is studied entirely online, takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across the first 4 weeks of term.

Topics include University orientation overview, equality & diversity, MySkills, health, safety and cyber security, and academic integrity.

Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Transcript as ‘Achieved’.

Detailed course information

Optional Courses

Additionally, students will select two courses from the following:

PI5541 Political Psychology of Climate Change (30 credit points)

LS5549 The Use of Force in International Law (30 credit points)

PI5520 Terrorism and Counter Terrorism (30 credit points)

PI5521 Chinese Security Issues (30 credit points)

The use of Force in International Law (LS5549)

30 Credit Points

The course aims to develop an in-depth and critical appreciation of current issues in the area of the use of armed force in International Law. The course is of interest to students who want to understand the legal considerations which frame contemporary conflicts.

The course will first analyse the fundamental principle of the prohibition of the use of force between States. It will then examine the current exceptions to this principle (e.g., right to self-defence, authorisation to use force given by the UN Security Council); further, what types of arguments States tend to use to justify the resort to force. Consequently, the course will study the most recent recourses to force on the international plane (in particular, in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, Libya, Palestine, Syria, and Ukraine).

Detailed course information

Terrorism and Counter - Terrorism (PI5520)

30 Credit Points

International terrorism and counterterrorism dominate both contemporary scholarly debates in International Relations (IR) and policy discussions. This course examines these debates by focusing, on the one hand, on the (individual and/or structural) causes and different manifestations of terrorism and, on the other hand, on debates on how to respond to terrorism not only effectively but also without violating humanitarian principles and international law. Overall, the course aims to provide students with an overview of current research on international terrorism and counterterrorism in IR and its neighbouring disciplines and to enable them to develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of core aspects of the issue.

Detailed course information

Chinese Security Issues (PI5521)

30 Credit Points

The focus of this module is the key approaches, institutions, and contemporary issues in global security relating to the rise of China. Set in the context of broader global security issues, this module offers students an introduction to Chinese security policy and approaches to international relations. It lifts the vale on a very misunderstood, controversial, and increasingly critical feature of global security and world affairs. It will explore debates on China's rise, China's growing involvement in international politics, and global security.

Detailed course information

Stage 2

Compulsory Courses

Dissertation in Strategic Studies (PI5901)

60 Credit Points

The Strategic Studies dissertation is a compulsory element of the MSc Strategic Studies, Strategic Studies & International Law and Strategic Studies & Management degree programmes.

Detailed course information

Stage 3

Compulsory Courses

Strategic Theory (PI5001)

30 Credit Points

This core module considers the contribution of strategy, as the mechanism for the application of power and force, to national, regional, and international security. It explores what strategy is (the pursuit of continuing advantage) and how to think clearly about it. Topics addressed include the nature of strategy, deterrence, arms control, strategic stability, nuclear policy, and emerging technology and future warfare.

Detailed course information

Optional Courses

Religion, Conflict and Security (PI5027)

30 Credit Points

Since the end of the Cold War the world has seen a resurgence of religious movements in the public sphere and, particularly since 9/11, religion has increasingly been viewed in policy debates as an issue of domestic and international security. In the ever increasingly globalized era, religious identifications criss-cross national boundaries and identities posing a dilemma for the established norms of the secular nation-state, political theory and actors. This course will examine some of the emerging theories associated with the rise of political religion, and the potential for conflict and peace that emerge. Utilizing diverse case studies ranging from religious Zionism, to political Islam to national Hindu movements the course will critique and employ contemporary theoretical frameworks to gain understanding of the current phenomena of religion in the international political domain.

Detailed course information

International Diplomacy Theory and Practice (PI5034)

30 Credit Points

This course explores the origins, theory, manifestations, and practice of diplomacy. This is achieved via a series of lectures, seminars, practical exercises, and simulations. Appropriate focus is also given to diplomatic skills (oral, written, and strategic). The course provides an understanding of diplomacy and how it functions.

Detailed course information

Programme Fees

Fee information

Fee category	Cost
UK
Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year	£11,100
Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year (University of Aberdeen Graduates *)	£7,000
University of Aberdeen graduates are eligible for the Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship, reducing tuition fees to £7,000 - matching the current SAAS tuition loan - See full terms and conditions
EU / International students
Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year	£23,000
Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year (Self-funded Students *)	£15,000
The above fee includes the £8,000 Aberdeen Global Scholarship provided to self-funded international students. Full terms and conditions apply.

Stage 1

Compulsory Courses

Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5006)

This course, which is prescribed for all taught postgraduate students, is studied entirely online, is studied entirely online, takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across the first 4 weeks of term.

Topics include University orientation overview, equality & diversity, MySkills, health, safety and cyber security, and academic integrity.

Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Transcript as ‘Achieved’.

Detailed course information

Strategic Theory (PI5001)

30 Credit Points

This core module considers the contribution of strategy, as the mechanism for the application of power and force, to national, regional, and international security. It explores what strategy is (the pursuit of continuing advantage) and how to think clearly about it. Topics addressed include the nature of strategy, deterrence, arms control, strategic stability, nuclear policy, and emerging technology and future warfare.

Detailed course information

Optional Courses

Additionally, students will select one of the following:

Religion, Conflict and Security (PI5027)

30 Credit Points

Since the end of the Cold War the world has seen a resurgence of religious movements in the public sphere and, particularly since 9/11, religion has increasingly been viewed in policy debates as an issue of domestic and international security. In the ever increasingly globalized era, religious identifications criss-cross national boundaries and identities posing a dilemma for the established norms of the secular nation-state, political theory and actors. This course will examine some of the emerging theories associated with the rise of political religion, and the potential for conflict and peace that emerge. Utilizing diverse case studies ranging from religious Zionism, to political Islam to national Hindu movements the course will critique and employ contemporary theoretical frameworks to gain understanding of the current phenomena of religion in the international political domain.

Detailed course information

International Diplomacy Theory and Practice (PI5034)

30 Credit Points

This course explores the origins, theory, manifestations, and practice of diplomacy. This is achieved via a series of lectures, seminars, practical exercises, and simulations. Appropriate focus is also given to diplomatic skills (oral, written, and strategic). The course provides an understanding of diplomacy and how it functions.

Detailed course information

Stage 2

Optional Courses

Students will select two from the following:

PI5541 Political Psychology of Climate Change (30 credit points)

LS5549 The Use of Force in International Law (30 credit points)

PI5520 Terrorism and Counter Terrorism (30 credit points)

PI5521 Chinese Security Issues (30 credit points)

The use of Force in International Law (LS5549)

30 Credit Points

The course aims to develop an in-depth and critical appreciation of current issues in the area of the use of armed force in International Law. The course is of interest to students who want to understand the legal considerations which frame contemporary conflicts.

The course will first analyse the fundamental principle of the prohibition of the use of force between States. It will then examine the current exceptions to this principle (e.g., right to self-defence, authorisation to use force given by the UN Security Council); further, what types of arguments States tend to use to justify the resort to force. Consequently, the course will study the most recent recourses to force on the international plane (in particular, in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, Libya, Palestine, Syria, and Ukraine).

Detailed course information

Terrorism and Counter - Terrorism (PI5520)

30 Credit Points

International terrorism and counterterrorism dominate both contemporary scholarly debates in International Relations (IR) and policy discussions. This course examines these debates by focusing, on the one hand, on the (individual and/or structural) causes and different manifestations of terrorism and, on the other hand, on debates on how to respond to terrorism not only effectively but also without violating humanitarian principles and international law. Overall, the course aims to provide students with an overview of current research on international terrorism and counterterrorism in IR and its neighbouring disciplines and to enable them to develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of core aspects of the issue.

Detailed course information

Chinese Security Issues (PI5521)

30 Credit Points

The focus of this module is the key approaches, institutions, and contemporary issues in global security relating to the rise of China. Set in the context of broader global security issues, this module offers students an introduction to Chinese security policy and approaches to international relations. It lifts the vale on a very misunderstood, controversial, and increasingly critical feature of global security and world affairs. It will explore debates on China's rise, China's growing involvement in international politics, and global security.

Detailed course information

Stage 3

Compulsory Courses

Dissertation in Strategic Studies (PI5901)

60 Credit Points

The Strategic Studies dissertation is a compulsory element of the MSc Strategic Studies, Strategic Studies & International Law and Strategic Studies & Management degree programmes.

Detailed course information