I loved my time at Strathclyde and was provided with a terrific arsenal to succeed in the language service industry.  I can’t overstate the benefits I’ve had since leaving university – both professionally and personally – of speaking three languages.

Honestly what drew me to the course was the tutors and their support in my writing. I wouldn’t of ever thought I was a good writer to enrol in the course without their support.

The opportunity to study global security and diplomacy in-depth was especially appealing, and the Commonwealth Scholarship (CSC) made the programme even more attractive by easing financial concerns

The MLitt really gives you the flexibility to experiment in writing across form and genre if you wish, or you can focus solely on your specialism for a whole year...I found this to be a freeing aspect of the course – that your vision as a writer was taken seriously and you had choice and freedom in what you were writing, as well as being given the room to experiment and play.

I participated in an online language class designed specifically for international students, which was incredibly helpful as I was just beginning to tackle academic writing in English. Furthermore, the university’s library and study rooms provided great spaces for independent study, group meetings, and relaxation.

I am grateful for this programme. This year I have not only gained a framework of knowledge and academic resources in the field of media and communication that exceeded my expectations, but it has also fuelled my motivation to delve into the field at a higher level.

As an international student, the staff was intentional about seeking me out and assisting me with both settling in the Glasgow writing community and thriving within it.

I was the lucky recipient of the Stevenson Scholarship, which helped fund the move to Spain. That year allowed me to put into practice everything I had learned in class and at home during the first three years at Strathclyde.

The multifaceted nature of the MSc Diplomacy and International Security at the University of Strathclyde truly resonated with me. This program's ability to bridge disciplines like history, politics, and law aligns perfectly with my intellectual curiosity and desire to understand the complexities of international relations.

I’d definitely advise to go to the open day and to the language department presentation. You really get a feel for the course and can chat to the tutors and lecturers. The staff are all happy to help and can answer any questions about the course.

The highlight of my PhD journey was winning the British Association for Irish Studies’ 2022 Essay Prize. The competition is run annually for PhD researchers based in Britain in the field of Irish studies...There are plenty of competitions for PhD researchers which I would strongly recommend applying for even just on a whim!

The close attention and dedication of my advisors to my critical and creative vision has been a force of nature, inspiration, and morale in a field that’s very difficult to break into.

Studying a PhD has opened many doors for me already and I’m not even halfway through it as of yet. I’ve attended the political studies association conference, visited several historical archives and am completing an SGSSS internship this summer.

Among the highlights of this journey has been the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge research and participate in academic conferences, which has significantly broadened my academic and professional network.

Historical research can feel quite lonely. However, perhaps precisely because of this, PhD students in the humanities tend to band together strictly. The interaction with your peers provides you a much-needed psychological support during the research process.

My advice for future PhD students is that before applying for this course, choose a topic that you will enjoy because you will study, eat, sleep, and carry your research with you everywhere. Lean on your Supervisors and do not be afraid to admit that you need clarification or help from them.

I have found the community at Strathclyde to be second to none: between our students, faculty members, and administration teams, I have always been grateful for the time, attention, and advice I have received throughout my journey as a student at Strathclyde.

I can confidently say that if you're seeking an exciting and dynamic program with a fantastic academic team, along with the opportunity to meet and study with like-minded peers from various countries in one of the greatest cities in the UK, you should definitely apply!

The research community in Strathclyde is robust – it is built on integrity, innovation, research, diversity, and mutual respect. Both home and international students from Africa, Asia, the US, Canada, and Australia are provided with a serene environment based on best practices.

I have gained a deep understanding of the historical context and evolution of diplomacy and international security. Through in-depth analysis of historical events, treaties, and conflicts, I have acquired a comprehensive knowledge of the factors that shape diplomatic relations and global security today. This knowledge allows me to approach current issues with a well-informed perspective, considering the long-term implications and historical precedents.

The specific classes that I took were not only interesting and thought provoking but challenging and really made me think outside of what I was used to. I enjoyed the passion of the professors within class and their willingness to engage in discussion with students during and after lectures. The friendships I have made within this programme have been extremely fulfilling and I know will translate into long lasting friendships.

The course has been crucial in developing key skills that are commonly used in the workplace. Organisation, independent research, communication and teamwork are common in employer’s expectations and it is through the Diplomacy and International Security course that I have been able to develop them. Using examples from this course that demonstrate my aptitude in the desired skills to employers has been central to my success in securing employment after I graduate.

I graduated with Distinction. Even though it was a simple one-year course, I realize what it means to my whole life. This journey is a symbol, gives me extra confidence, and reshapes my thinking model as well.

For me, it was particularly rewarding to combine my two degrees in a way that they complement each other. This interdisciplinary approach has broadened my career prospects while maintaining a connection between the fields of Politics and Media.

There is always something new to learn, and I really enjoyed sharing my perspective to different topics and listening to the perspective from my course mates.

I was a Programme Representative for MSc Diplomacy and International Security. In this role, I acquired various practical skills, such as gathering feedback, communication and organisation skills, and learned how to build collaborative working relationships, gaining the trust and confidence of my peers.

The MLitt allowed me to think about different styles of communication in research and how developing skills in one area might transfer to another.

The course content of specific topics based on contemporary diplomatic crises spiked my interest, as I was able to learn from real-time examples and issues, which allowed me to research and study these examples further, outside of the classroom.

I think the vast range of things that we were taught across the Masters degree was one of the parts that I enjoyed most about the course. I was encouraged to try many different forms of writing that pushed me out of my comfort zone whilst making me a better and more rounded writer.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of my course were the classes, where my lecturers encouraged us to put forward ideas and opinions at a more in-depth level than during my undergraduate degree. This made the classes interesting as hearing the arguments and opinions of other students encouraged each of us to consider different perspectives and develop a greater understanding of the topics that we were discussing.

I would also say that the freedom to be creative has been a great boon too. You are very much encouraged to “own” your PhD project and make decisions you feel will benefit the work and this means a great deal of flexibility is afforded to you.

I really enjoyed working as a team. I find that this is really important for international students who may be experiencing their first time studying abroad. I enjoyed the group discussions and hearing everyone’s views during the seminars.

I enjoyed the multidisciplinary approach to the course as not only did this give students more freedom over their learning, it also made class and group discussions more interesting and informative as students were able to bring different perspectives from other modules and backgrounds into their analysis.

The interdisciplinary aspect of the course means that you are encouraged to consider several different aspects of the subject you’re studying and encourages critical thinking when considering the historic foundations that influence present and future global issues. 

The teaching and administrative staff of MSc Diplomacy and International Security provide a supportive learning environment for students to thrive and grow. They respond to enquiries and resolve complaints promptly. They also provide constructive academic feedback.

The fact that the course was offered as a multidisciplinary MSc really encouraged me to step out my comfort zone and study courses offered by different departments...Taking classes from multiple disciplinaries allowed for me to expand my knowledge and consider debates from different angles.

Honestly, I love that the Strathclyde research community is generous when it comes to sharing knowledge. People are always happy to help and suggest/advice on where to find what you’re looking for.

The course pushed me out of my comfort zone as several of my assignments involved presenting a topic of my choice to the class. I found this to be a valuable experience as it increased my confidence in speaking in front of people and being accountable for my work and research.

I really was amazed by how professional and organised the online platform was. I also liked the talented teachers and their respectful attitude towards students. I also admired how passionate they were about their specialist subjects. I felt that they wanted us to do really well in the programme and enjoy our studies.

The best part of the course is that it allows you to choose between different disciplines such as History, Law and Politics. Which I believe are crucial to becoming an outstanding professional in the field

Your historical knowledge and awareness will increase significantly and you will develop a range of skills that will benefit you in the future. The facilities and academic resources available are amazing and will not only support you throughout the course, but will also help you to make the most of your Strathclyde experience.

An MSc in this field is a heavy amount of work, so juggling this and working pretty much full-time through the pandemic certainly increased my ability to manage my own workload – something employers are always keen on!