Develop advanced analytical, reasoning, literacy and communication skills.

Solve problems, process and prioritize a wide variety of information, and express sophisticated arguments and positions in oral and written form.

Enhance their knowledge of relevant methodological and theoretical approaches to key issue areas relating to global security and borders.

Identify and articulate advanced level arguments relating to global security and borders in oral and written form.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Opportunities to develop advanced analytical, reasoning, literacy and communication skills will occur throughout the programme on taught modules, through independent study and on the Borders Internship.
Opportunities to develop problem solving and information processing strategies, as well as general methodological and theoretical approaches, will occur throughout the programme on taught modules, through independent study, and on the Borders Internship.

Self-reflection and evaluation will further enhance the critical thinking, sound judgement and independence of the student, and will be central to all modules. The discursive nature of seminar-based discussion allows for tutors to assess individual student progression and understanding, and adjust their teaching accordingly.

The student will enhance their skills and confidence through oral and written assignments, discussion groups, team tasks, and independent research, as well as through the Borders Internship.

Methods of Assessment

These advanced cognitive skills will be assessed by a variety of traditional and innovative methods including essay, learning log (internship), briefing paper (internship), and MA dissertation.

•engage in relational thinking by acknowledging how pressing issues of global security are revealed most clearly in the operation of borders, and how borders expose the contingency of state sovereignty and the international system
•demonstrate an advanced awareness and understanding of the foundations of Critical Security Studies and Border Studies within International Relations;
•understand how Critical Security Studies and Border Studies relate to different theoretical approaches to global security and borders within International Relations; acknowledge the diversity of critical approaches and identify key tensions between them;
•recognise the interdisciplinary influences on Critical Security Studies and Border Studies and acknowledge how these inform its development;
•understand how critical theories of global security and borders translate into different practices at border sites, even when those sites are radically dispersed;
•apply contemporary academic debates about global security and borders to contemporary bordering practices;
•critically engage in debates on key developments in the politics of global security and borders;
•reflect upon the ethical and political implications and developments in global security and borders;
•engage in depth with a wide range of key issues in a theoretically informed way;
•pursue independent, creative and critical thinking through both written work and group debate and discussions

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The teaching methods used to embed this knowledge and understanding include formal lectures and small group tutorials and seminars, many of which will be enhanced by learning aids such as power point presentations, video and role play. Students will also benefit from more innovative methods including one-on-one mentoring and cohort group work in Workshops. More individualized opportunities to facilitate independent learning are developed through academic and work-place mentoring and supervision (e.g. peer mentoring, dissertation supervision; Borders Internship).

Methods of Assessment

A variety of traditional methods will be used to assess students, including essays with pre-set and formatively developed questions, as well as the MA dissertation. The programme also develops innovative methods of assessment including a reflexive learning log and a project-oriented briefing paper to benefit the host institution (Borders Internship).

•understand of the key and evolving debates in Critical Security Studies and Border Studies
•critically engage with arguments relating to global security and borders, including contemporary bordering practices, the ethical and political implications of efforts to increase the security of borders; and moments where border security fails

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The teaching methods used to embed this knowledge and understanding include formal lectures and small group tutorials and seminars, many of which will be enhanced by learning aids such as power point presentations, video and role play. Students will also benefit from more innovative methods including one-on-one mentoring and cohort group work in the ‘Critical Security Studies in Action’ Workshop. More individualized opportunities to facilitate independent learning are developed through academic and work-place mentoring and supervision (e.g. peer mentoring, dissertation supervision; Borders Internship).

The key subject-specific skills embedded in the programme are:

Intellectual skills
•Managing & prioritizing knowledge
•Analytical thinking
•Critical & independent thinking
•Effective judgement
•Reflexive evaluation

Career development skills
•Communication and presentation (oral and written)
•Teamwork and collaboration
•Time management
•Respecting diverse arguments
•Self-reflexivity and confidence building
•Managing conflict
•Information technology
Organizational skills
•Efficient and effective work practice
•Clear organisation and presentation of information
•Goal-setting and strategic planning

Methods of Assessment

A variety of traditional methods will be used to assess students, including essays with pre-set and formatively developed questions, as well as the MA dissertation. The programme also develops innovative methods of assessment including a reflexive learning log and a project-oriented briefing paper to benefit the host institution (Borders Internship).

Acquire and develop advanced subject-specific skills, as well as organizational, professional and career development skills that will be beneficial in further research, education and employment.
One of the MA’s core modules – the double-weighted PAI7097 Borders Internship – is key to providing transferable skills relating to employment. It has two main components:


•Students will undertake a dedicated 10 week site-specific Borders Internship at a non-HE institution for 3 days a week for 10 weeks (from weeks 3-12). This wiill be supported by a preparatory workshop. The host institutions are both governmental and non-governmental (3rd sector), and all are directly engaged in the work of global security and borders. The confirmed host institutions for the borders internship will change every year, depending on need, availability and student numbers. These will normally be finalised by September before the students begin the programme. Potential host institutions include:

Irish Customs, Dublin International Airport and Dublin Port.
North-South Ministerial Council, Armagh.
Cybersecurity Unit, PSNI.
The Migrant Centre.
The Equality Commission
Youth Justice Centre
Confederation of British Industries.

To ensure that the learning outcomes on the programme are met, the Borders Internship module will provide the following additional assurances:

•A fair and transparent allocation of internships to students involving the student’s preferences, student ranking by entrance grades and achievement, and an interview with relevant staff .
•A comprehensive model of supervision and monitoring (see next column) including regular one-on-one meetings with an academic supervisor, peer group mentoring and dedicated on-site supervision by a host mentor
•A dedicated effort, by the course convenor, to ensure that all visas for Tier 4 students undertaking internships in the Republic of Ireland are acquired in advance
•A concentrated effort by the course convenor and host mentor to ensure that any required security clearances are undertaken in advance of the internship starting
•A comprehensive risk policy to ensure that alternative arrangements can be made if an internship does not work out, runs into difficulty or breaks down.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The MA in Global Security and Borders enables postgraduate students to develop a broad portfolio of skills which will enhance their employability and/or provide them with a sound basis for progression to further research at doctoral level or elsewhere. The student will develop skills through engagement with module content, seminar discussions, independent learning, presentations, debate and discussion, informal networking with peers, expert mentorship, supervision and one-on-one mentorship.
The Borders Internship is central to the programme’s delivery of transferable skills in that it builds on, enhances and develops core intellectual skills that the students will gain from their academic study. It will give students the opportunity to ‘apply’ relevant concepts and analytical processes, and experience how global security and borders operate in a ‘real world’ context.

The Borders Internship will consolidate the following subject-specific skills (see above):

Career Development skills:
•Communication & presentation (oral & written)
•Teamwork & collaboration
•Time Management
•Self-Reflection & confidence building
•Managing conflict
•Using information technology

Organizational skills:
•Efficient & effective work practice
•Clear organisation and presentation of information
•Goal setting & strategic planning

The Borders Internship will develop and consolidate the following transferable skills:
Management skills
•Managing & prioritizing assigned tasks
•Delegation
•Decision making
•Project management and completion

Professional skills
•Navigating institutional regulations & standards
•Working in a professional environment

Personal Development skills
•Networking
•Initiative
•Independence
•Creativity
•Leadership
•Entrepreneurial thinking

To ensure that subject-specific and transferable skills are delivered to students, the programme has a comprehensive supervisory structure in place:

•Academic Supervision: The convenor for the module PAI7097 Borders Internship is the academic supervisor based at QUB who will advise on the requisite assessment and provide pastoral support. Students will meet regularly with the convenor throughout the semester to discuss progress and plan for the assessments. The convenor may also arrange peer-group supervisions throughout the semester for all students on the module to enhance peer engagement, feedback and learning

•Host Mentor: Each Intern will have a mentor / supervisor based at the host institution who will assign discrete tasks, arrange any specific training, and provide guidance for the topic of the student ‘briefing paper’. Normally host mentors will meet interns in the first and last weeks for 30 mins. All other weeks they will normally have an initial meeting for 15 minutes to specify tasks for the week ahead.

Methods of Assessment

Interns will be assessed through coursework including methods such as a Learning Log detailing the skills development on the internship, a Briefing Paper focusing on a specific aspect of the internship as advised by the host mentor, and an Academic Paper. All assessments will be marked and moderated by academics at QUB.