Why study this course?
The MLitt in Terrorism and Political Violence is a taught postgraduate programme run by the Handa Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence, Europe’s oldest terrorism research centre, based in the School of International Relations.
This MLitt programme explores terrorism as a phenomenon, with a focus on the history of terrorism as a concept and as a term, the different forms and causes of political violence, and why individuals and groups become involved in violence of this nature.
Throughout your time, you will critically examine selected approaches to researching and studying terrorism and counterterrorism and consider the roles and responsibilities of various actors as they formulate a response to terrorism in its many forms.
Terrorism and Political Violence is also offered as a part-time online programme.
Teaching
Delivered through lectures, tutorials, seminars, and guided independent study.
Class sizes
Groups range from 4 to 20 students.
Dissertation
A 15,000-word project with regular support from a dissertation supervisor.
Assessment
Coursework only.
Modules
Each module typically comprises of:
- one-hour lecture per week
- one-hour tutorial or seminar per week
- office hours
- 100% coursework assessment
Students will take the Research Methods module and choose one other compulsory module from the list offered. Students also choose two optional modules, which have been created specifically for the MLitt Terrorism and Political Violence.
Optional modules are subject to change each year and require a minimum number of participants to be offered. Some modules may only allow limited numbers of students.
For more details, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the module catalogue. The modules are examples from previous academic years and may be subject to change before you start your course.
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- Research Methods: presents appropriate research methods to enable students to critically understand the literature on terrorism and political violence, and to lay the foundations to enable students to engage in further independent research.
- Fundamental Issues and Structures of Terrorism: introduces the core conceptual issues of terrorism and political violence.
- Terrorism after 1945: provides an overview of the evolution, characteristics, and decline of terrorist movements and campaigns since 1945.
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- Counter-Extremism: Ethics, Policy and Practice: explores the most appropriate response to extremism through collaborative enquiry and direct engagement with policymakers and practitioners. The roles of education, civil society efforts to counter extremist speech, deradicalisation initiatives, victims, communities, and companies are explored.
- Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict: familiarises students with different approaches that seek to explain how ethnicity and nationhood are created and maintained, how different forms of ethnic conflict and ethnic violence come about, and the possible mechanisms to contain nationalism and ethnic conflict.
- State Responses to Terrorism: takes a holistic look at state responses to terrorism and political violence; students study the work of scholars from right across the social sciences and humanities who have sought to understand and explain aspects of state responses to terrorism.
- Terrorism and Liberal Democracy: addresses conceptual and definitional issues concerning terrorism; the relationship of terrorism to other forms of political violence; the origins, dynamics, and development of contemporary terrorism; the efficacy of terrorism as a political weapon; the dilemmas and challenges of liberal democratic state responses to terrorism; and case studies in terrorism and counter-terrorism.
What it will lead to
Careers
Students who graduate from the MLitt in Terrorism and Political Violence go on to work in various professional fields including:
- law
- policy research and consultancy
- non-governmental organisations
- charities
- international organisations
- civil service
- journalism
- publishing
We are committed to supporting your career aspirations, whatever stage your career is at. Our Careers Centre can help connect you to our extensive global alumni community for advice and mentoring, as well as offering career coaching, bespoke workshops, employer connections, experiences, and application support.
Our International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute can also support you with academic and professional skills development. The University’s Entrepreneurship Centre offers start-up support for those looking to freelance as well as create their own business.
Further study
Many graduates continue their education by enrolling in PhD programmes at St Andrews or elsewhere.
Why St Andrews?
Alumni
When you graduate you become a member of the University's worldwide alumni community. Benefit from access to alumni clubs, the Saint Connect networking and mentoring platform, and careers support.
“The postgraduate community brings together an array of extraordinary people from various backgrounds allowing me to meet a great bunch of people who share my interests. The lecturers and other staff are such an amazing group of smart, caring and wonderful people who have a passion in delivering a fantastic service.”
- Perth, Scotland
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Entry requirements
- A 2:1 Honours degree in political science, international relations, social sciences or other relevant disciplines. If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
- English language proficiency. See English language tests and qualifications.
The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.
Application requirements
- CV that includes a history of your education and employment to date
- personal statement of 1,000 words indicating your knowledge of the programme and how it will benefit you
- sample of your own, single-authored previous academic written work or a 2,000-word piece on 'The threat of terrorism is greatly exaggerated. Discuss.'
- two original signed academic or professional references
- academic transcripts and degree certificates
For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.
English language proficiency
If English is not your first language, you may need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. See approved English language tests and scores for this course.
Fees and funding
- UK: £14,850
- Rest of the world: £29,990
Before we can begin processing your application, a payment of an application fee of £50 is required. In some instances, you may be eligible for an application fee waiver. Details of this, along with information on our tuition fees, can be found on the postgraduate fees and funding page.
Scholarships and funding
We are committed to supporting you through your studies, regardless of your financial circumstances. You may be eligible for scholarships, discounts or other support:
Contact us
Start your journey
Legal notices
Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our Admissions policy
Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the course archive.
Curriculum development
As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online.
Tuition fees
The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online.
Page last updated: 2 May 2025