Master of Science in International Relations • Regulations (I) Entry requirements To be admitted to the M.Sc. programme in International Relations a candidate must possess either B.Sc. in International Relations or in a related discipline with a good Second Class degree. A good Second Class degree in any discipline with a minor in International Relations (IR) with a  grade B+ average in the IR Courses or An appropriate first degree in any discipline and the Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations with a grade B average. (II) Course of Study The course of study comprises six examinable courses, a research paper approved by the Institute’s Director and an enabling course.  The examinable courses carry 4 credits each and the Research Paper 12 credits. The six courses shall be divided into: Core courses Electives All three Core Courses are compulsory: INRL 6001:  Advanced Theory and Methodology: Globalization and Development INRL 6003:  Small States in the Global System INRL 6004:  International Trade, Development and Global Integration Electives are divided into two streams.  Candidates are required to choose three courses from one of the streams INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL ORGANISATION INRL 6005:  International Economic Law INRL 6006:  Multilateralism and Global Governance INRL 6008:  Contemporary International Diplomacy INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY INRL 6002:  Selected Policy Issues in International Money and Finance INRL 6007:  Issues in Latin American Politics INRL 6009:  Themes and Issues in Contemporary US/Caribbean Relations INRL 6011:  Diasporic and Development Dimension of Migration INRL 6000: RESEARCH PAPER The Research Paper carries 12 credits and is compulsory. INRL 6020:  RESEARCH METHODS AND PROPOSAL WRITING COURSE This is a non-credit course but is compulsory.  Students must pass the examination in this course in order to be eligible for the award of the M.Sc degree. LANGUAGE  REQUIREMENT  COURSE  OF  STUDY Where a student fails to demonstrate sufficient proficiency * in a foreign language, he/she is required to read INRL 5010: Spanish/French. This is a non-credit course but is compulsory.  Students must pass the examination in this course in order to be eligible for the award of the M.Sc. degree * Possession of a suitable qualification in one of the recognized foreign languages, or satisfactory performance in the language proficiency assessment. (III) Semester Requirements Full-time students shall sit three examinations each semester and must submit the research paper no later than 15th May of the year of registration. Part-time students shall sit two examinations each semester of the first academic year and one examination each semester of the second academic year.  The research paper must be submitted no later than 15th May in the second year of registration. (IV) Method of Assessment Courses shall be evaluated on the basis of final examinations and course work or mid-term exams, or a combination of the latter two. A minimum of 50% must be obtained in order to pass a course.  This criterion is applicable to each component of the course. The Research Paper shall have a maximum length of 12,000 words, exclusive of footnotes and appendices. The Supervisor shall determine the procedure to be followed for preparation of the Research Paper. The Research Paper must be written in accordance with the University’s Regulations. (V) Selection of Topics for Research Papers Topics must be related to the subject areas of the courses offered in Section II above and approved by the Director of the Institute. Topics for Research Papers must be submitted to the Secretariat of the Institute not later than the end of the fifth week of the first semester. Upon approval of topics candidates shall be assigned supervisors. (VI) Written Assignments Written assignments which are not submitted by the stipulated date shall not be accepted unless reasonable cause is shown. In the event of non-acceptance, the candidate may be allowed to submit the assignment by July 31st of the current academic year.  There will be a penalty which shall be the deduction of five (5) marks.  The final grade shall not exceed a B+. One hard copy in Word format and one electronic copy of any written assignment must be submitted to the Secretariat. Upon delivery of the assignment the student is required to sign the Secretariat’s record sheet as evidence of the submission of the assignment. Students should ensure that they are issued a receipt by the Secretariat office indicating the date of submission of the assignment. Teamwork submissions Each team must designate a team leader.  It is the responsibility of the team leader to submit a report to the relevant lecturer.  The report must detail the names of the team members and the portions of the project allocated to team members. (VII) Procedures Governing the Supervision of M.Sc. Research Papers Students will be notified of the name of the supervisor. Students are required to contact their supervisor within two weeks of receipt of notification. Students are required to meet with their supervisor on a regular basis to report on the progress of the research paper. Students must submit a draft of the research paper to their supervisor by 31st March of the relevant academic year. Students must submit the research paper by May 15th of the relevant academic year. (VIII) Attendance at Class Students must observe the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Section V, Conduct of Written Examinations – General – Rule 37, page 29 which provides: Any candidate who has been absent from the University for a prolonged period during the year for any reason other than certified illness, or whose attendance at prescribed lectures, classes, practical classes, tutorials or clinical instructions has been unsatisfactory or who has failed to submit essays or other exercises set by his teachers may be debarred by the Board for Graduate Studies on the recommendation of the relevant Faculty Sub-Committee on Graduate Studies from taking any University examination. Students will be required to complete a dated class roll at each lecture. (IX) Medical Certificates Pursuant to Section 48 of the University’s Regulations for Graduate Diplomas and Degrees, in cases of illness, students shall present to the Chairman, School of Graduate Studies and Research, a medical certificate, as proof of illness.  It must be signed by the University Health Officer or by other Medical Practitioners approved for this purpose by University. A copy of the signed medical certificate must be sent to the Director of the Institute. This provision shall be without prejudice to Section 48 of the University’s Regulations for Diplomas and Degrees. (X) Oral Examination Students who fail the examination component of a course may be granted the option of an oral examination provided the mark is not less than 45%. The student may decline the offer of this option. In cases where the option is exercised, the final mark awarded shall not be more than the pass mark. Students who fail more than one course shall not be offered the option of an oral examination. (XI) Resits Full time candidates who fail to obtain the pass mark in one or two of the prescribed courses in the First Semester, or in one or two courses and the research paper in the Second Semester may, be recommended to resit. Part-time candidates who fail to obtain the pass mark in one of the courses in any semester, may be recommended for resit. Notwithstanding paragraphs a & b above, a student obtaining less than 35% in an exam may not be allowed to resit.   (XII) Re-registration Candidates who obtain less than 35% in an examination, or have failed an examination at the re-sit may be asked to re-register for the course. Full-time candidates who fail to meet the requirements in three (3) Semester I or Semester II courses may be asked to re-register for the semester or semesters in which they are offered. Part-time candidates who fail to obtain the pass mark in two (2) Semester I or Semester II courses of Year One may be asked to re-register for the semester or semesters in which they are offered. (XIII) Withdrawal A student may be asked to withdraw from the Programme after the third unsuccessful attempt at any one examination or at any time earlier if his/her performance is considered to be unsatisfactory. (XIV) Award of Degree Subject to the approval of Senate, candidates who have passed all courses and the research paper shall be awarded the M.Sc. in International Relations. The M.Sc. Degree shall be awarded in two categories: Pass and Distinction. The requirement for a degree in the Pass category is an overall average ranging from 50% to 69%. A candidate must obtain an average of 70% in the examinations and a minimum of 70% in the Research Paper in order to be awarded the Degree with Distinction. Candidates who repeat the examination in any course shall not be eligible for the award of the degree with Distinction.   See Course Synopsis & Descriptions
		Regulations & Requirements Course Descritions Diploma Masters Doctorate Course Materials Tuition Registration The Institute Programmes Continuing Education Staff Library IT Unit Workshop Alumni Journal News Index Contact Home
		Copyright ©, The UWI Institute of International Relations, Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies