Thoughts on the International Relations course/Exeter in general?

Anyone?

Can't tell you anything about the course, but the campus is lovely and I've always really liked living in Exeter. What sort of thing would you like to know?

Hello all!

I'm an American coming to the UK in the fall to get my Masters.

I've been accepted in the MA in International Relations and I'm curious what people think about the program? Is it interesting/challenging/all that jazz? Does it allow room for any specialization (I would like to emphasize Human Rights).

Also, any thoughts on Exeter in general? Nice campus? the city?

Thanks,
Jonathan

1. Campus very pretty. (Nicer campus than York or Bath) Lots of planting etc. Compact. Friendly, relaxed vibe. Cafes, pub, sports, theatre and entertainments on campus.
2. Good entertainment rep., gigs etc.
3. In West Country and student intake reflects that with British students being primarily middle class and white. However 4000 international students make the mix less homogeneous. Arabic Research centre etc.
4. Library, unusually for Britain, open 24/7. Very useful for that last minute research!
5. Good facilities. Lots of new investment in infrastructure. Forward facing university moving rapidly up the tables, just been invited to join the prestigious Russell group.
6. Exeter itself is a small city serving a rural county and reflects this... think cream teas and cathedral lawns rather than hot clubbing. However there are all the usual pubs etc.
7. The campus is right by a railway station which means within the hour you can be in Bristol if you want a trendier,buzzy, larger city with excellent nightlife and a more multi-cultural scene. Other train journeys: Half hour to the county cricket ground. Hour and a quarter to Bath. 15-20minutes to the coast. I think its about 2.5hrs to London. There is an early morning train to London and its possible to do day trips etc.
8. West country being rural England tends to be conservative with a small and big C. ie Exeter council have banned any drinking on the streets etc. Slowish pace to life. Low crime rate on the whole. Not as rich a city as say Bath but neither is it struggling economically. Not as stunning a city visually as Bath. However can get to coast and Dartmoor. Its a holiday destination so set up for visitors and pretty friendly.
9. Most people really love their time at Exeter. It has a great academic reputation and is also known for a lack of hierachy between staff and students ie. it is not stuffy or intimidating.
10. Hilly, climate warmer but wetter than the rest of England, some sea mists etc in winter.
11. Can reach Glastonbury for the summer music festival if you're around then.
12. Can earn £7.25 an hour working as student rep at events with hours fitting around your studies etc.

Don't know anything about their course as such.

Hope this helps.

Oh my does that help =)! I can't tell you how much it helps!!

I've been going back on forth on this for a while (mostly York vs Exeter)... both schools look great (although I prefer Exeter). I, also, really liked the looks of York as a city... but Exeter seems to have so much going for it (city and uni).

The primary debate between York and Exeter is whether I study Human Rights (at York) or International Relations (at Exeter)... I think Exeter is winning =)!

Thanks so much!

Jonathan

I don't know York very well but it is a very attractive city. The university campus is not as pretty as it was built in the 1960's... not famed for being the height of architectural loveliness. It is also more spread out than Exeter's. Excellent rep. too. I think either would be great.

I'd suggest either emailing or ringing the Exeter department (if you can afford to) and speaking to someone about the human rights angle within the International Relations course if that's where your interests lie and you're worried. However looking at the course details they do specifically list human rights as an area of study and say that there is plenty of opportunity to specialise in something of your choosing.

Good luck deciding.

1. Campus very pretty. (Nicer campus than York or Bath) Lots of planting etc. Compact. Friendly, relaxed vibe. Cafes, pub, sports, theatre and entertainments on campus.
2. Good entertainment rep., gigs etc.
3. In West Country and student intake reflects that with British students being primarily middle class and white. However 4000 international students make the mix less homogeneous. Arabic Research centre etc.
4. Library, unusually for Britain, open 24/7. Very useful for that last minute research!
5. Good facilities. Lots of new investment in infrastructure. Forward facing university moving rapidly up the tables, just been invited to join the prestigious Russell group.
6. Exeter itself is a small city serving a rural county and reflects this... think cream teas and cathedral lawns rather than hot clubbing. However there are all the usual pubs etc.
7. The campus is right by a railway station which means within the hour you can be in Bristol if you want a trendier,buzzy, larger city with excellent nightlife and a more multi-cultural scene. Other train journeys: Half hour to the county cricket ground. Hour and a quarter to Bath. 15-20minutes to the coast. I think its about 2.5hrs to London. There is an early morning train to London and its possible to do day trips etc.
8. West country being rural England tends to be conservative with a small and big C. ie Exeter council have banned any drinking on the streets etc. Slowish pace to life. Low crime rate on the whole. Not as rich a city as say Bath but neither is it struggling economically. Not as stunning a city visually as Bath. However can get to coast and Dartmoor. Its a holiday destination so set up for visitors and pretty friendly.
9. Most people really love their time at Exeter. It has a great academic reputation and is also known for a lack of hierachy between staff and students ie. it is not stuffy or intimidating.
10. Hilly, climate warmer but wetter than the rest of England, some sea mists etc in winter.
11. Can reach Glastonbury for the summer music festival if you're around then.
12. Can earn £7.25 an hour working as student rep at events with hours fitting around your studies etc.

Don't know anything about their course as such.

Hope this helps.

Thanks so much... yes, this is a really difficult decision because all of these schools seem really good, hahahaha! Tough! But your insight helps so much, and I think I might choose Exeter.

Thanks for actually looking at the program! I think I'll talk to Exeter--good suggestion!

I just need to decide if IR or HR makes me more employable =)! But I'm glad to have a decision that is made difficult because of so many good options!

Thanks so much!!

Mmm... re: employability. I suppose the ideal would be to be able to put on your CV, 'International Relations with specialism in Human Rights' or to say 'International Relations' and be able to talk about your research into human rights. Maybe that would leave you able to apply to a broader range: NGO's, public bodies, political organisations and companies who have a need for international perspectives in addition to journalism etc. Human Rights sounds less broad as a title to my ears. However if you're sure of your target employers and they are human rights organisations then a specialism in this subject would be great and demonstrate commitment though I do think IR would be very acceptable to them too. Also which would be more recognised in your own country? If either department has a tie up with an organisation or offers placements as part of the course that would be a good decider.

It really isn't my area so you probably know more about potential employers etc and I'm speaking as a lay person. I've only known one International Relations graduate personally and they worked in broadcast and then moved into think tank work for a political organisation but it certainly seemed a respected degree subject. My friend did a Masters in Refugee Studies at Oxford but this proved a little difficult to find work as she then had children and decided not to actually go 'into the field' so to speak and the degree was too specific really for applicability to other things. Maybe Human Rights might also be a little specific if you decided to change direction later???? You might also find another area of interest grabs you while studying.