Skip to main content

Geopolitics, Resources and Territory MA

Loading...

Our Geopolitics, Resources and Territory MA is a unique multidisciplinary programme that has a dual focus on the territorial and resource-related components of inter-state relations, rooted in the social sciences but also engaging with important areas of international law. It delivers research-led teaching on critical and fundamental questions relating to international boundaries, sovereignty disputes and environmental geopolitics. This is supplemented with teaching and guidance from leading external practitioners in the field of international dispute resolution and environmental management. You’ll study a topic that has been taught at King’s for 25 years. This MA programme draws on the wealth of experience of its successful predecessor, the Geopolitics, Territory and Security MA, which has produced alumni in the fields of international civil service and diplomacy, international law, academia, NGOs and specialised political and security risk agencies. You’ll be taught by leading academic specialists with extensive policy networks and experience and practising international lawyers to gain an understanding that goes above and beyond traditional international relations perspectives. You won’t just learn about geopolitics and the latest academic framings - you’ll also study the causes of international strife, the consequences of it, and potential ways of addressing them in ground-up pragmatic, everyday settings. You’ll learn how to apply critical scrutiny of resource and territorial disputes involving - as you might expect in a geography department - a clear focus on their spatial manifestations. You’ll also be exposed to cutting edge debates on border disputes, water diplomacy and major global drivers of geopolitical change. You’ll examine a range of issues, ranging from topical issues such as water conflicts to long-standing themes like the creation and maintenance of international boundaries and borders at different scales. You’ll also study the factors that drive contemporary territorial disputes, and how the scarcity of natural resources impact this. At the end of this Geopolitics, Resources and Territory MA, you’ll become skilled at geopolitical and political geographic analysis and able to contextualise these issues within the wider social sciences, and the relevant aspects of international law. When you graduate, you will join an alumni network that has gone on to work in the FCTO, in international NGOs involved in dispute resolution, international law firms, and departments of the United Nations and the European Union.

Key benefits

  • Deepen your foundational understanding of territory, natural resources and international boundaries.
  • Learn from international legal and technical experts, policy experts and recognised scholars.
  • Master cutting-edge debates and policy solutions on environmental disputes such as water and natural resources.
  • Access an extensive collection of resources for researching historical and contemporary aspects of international boundary questions and territorial disputes, including the National Archives and the British Library.
  • Explore a range of regional geopolitical issues guided by academic experts.
  • An optional Internship module helps students take their first steps towards employment in a relevant vocational field.
  • Enjoy considerable autonomy in developing the focus of your coursework, including your dissertation, allowing you to specialise.
Leo-Geopolitics, Territory and Security student

I'm a recent graduate from the University of Toronto and I joined the MA Geopolitics, Territory and Security at King’s because I wanted a programme that took an interdisciplinary and legal focus to the study of international relations. I’m happy to be in an environment where I can study the geopolitics of natural resource disputes, particularly transboundary water disputes between countries. 

Leo, Past MA Geopolitics, Territory and Security student

Loading...

Employability

Geopolitics, Resources and Territory MA graduates have gone on to occupy senior management positions in government agencies and international consultancies. Many have also gained employment with NGOs involved in dispute resolution, international law firms, government ministries, oil and water companies, departments of the United Nations and the European Union.  

Our ever-popular Internship module, which has been running for over 20 years, helps masters students take their first steps towards employment, offering opportunities to undertake a period of work with an organisation broadly related to their programme of study. The internship not only provides valuable career enhancing opportunities but also counts towards their degrees. In 2021-22, over 150 students worked with 60 different organisations across a range of sectors including: international agencies; local councils and national government departments; companies in the for-profit and not-for-profit sector, research institutes and charities. As well as UK organisations, partners also included Belgium, Canada, Ethiopia, Germany, and the United States. 

Curious to find out more? Access on-demand content including taster lectures and talks, and meet our current staff and students on our subject hub page.

Loading...

Employability

Geopolitics, Resources and Territory MA graduates have gone on to occupy senior management positions in government agencies and international consultancies. Many have also gained employment with NGOs involved in dispute resolution, international law firms, government ministries, oil and water companies, departments of the United Nations and the European Union.  

Our ever-popular Internship module, which has been running for over 20 years, helps masters students take their first steps towards employment, offering opportunities to undertake a period of work with an organisation broadly related to their programme of study. The internship not only provides valuable career enhancing opportunities but also counts towards their degrees. In 2021-22, over 150 students worked with 60 different organisations across a range of sectors including: international agencies; local councils and national government departments; companies in the for-profit and not-for-profit sector, research institutes and charities. As well as UK organisations, partners also included Belgium, Canada, Ethiopia, Germany, and the United States. 

Curious to find out more? Access on-demand content including taster lectures and talks, and meet our current staff and students on our subject hub page.

Application closing date guidance

Loading...

Open days and events

Chat with current students and King's staff to find out about the courses we offer, life at King's and ask any questions you may have.

Explore more

Accommodation

Discover your accommodation options and explore our residences.