Nationalism in Global Perspective MSc

The MSc Nationalism in Global Perspective is offered as a one-year full-time programme.

The programme consists of 180 credits, comprised of:

• two 20-credit required core courses
• four 20-credit optional courses
• a 60-credit dissertation course

You will complete six courses over two semesters and a dissertation.

Core courses

You must take these core courses:

• Theorising Nationalism (PGSP11579) - 20 credits
• Comparing Nationalisms (PGSP11580) – 20 credits
• Dissertation (MSc/Dip Nationalism in Global Perspective) (PGSP11054) - 60 credits

This first course provides a comprehensive introduction to major theories of nationalism. The second course focuses on how nationalism is studied and draws upon a wide range of global cases. The two core courses provide a coherent shared foundation for dissertations.

The dissertation offers you the chance to choose and explore a topic in-depth, working with the guidance of an academic supervisor. It is an ideal chance to get to grips with an issue that fascinates you, and excellent preparation for further graduate level study.

Course options

Group A: recommended electives

You should select at least 20 credits of the following courses:

• Nations and Nationalism (PGSP11146) - 20 credits
• Ethnopolitical Conflict (SCIL11036) – 20 credits
• Identity and Conflict in Multinational States (PGSP11599) – 20 credits
• Nationalism, Populism and Democracy (PGSP11608) – 20 credits

These courses are recommended by the Programme Director and you will have priority enrolment.

Group B: additional electives

You should select between 0 and 60 credits of the Level 11 courses in Schedules A to Q, T and W. You can browse these options in our course catalogue.

These courses offer a broader range of electives. Students on this programme will not have priority enrolment for these courses and spaces may be limited.

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

When you complete the degree, you will be able to:

• Understand the central concepts, major theories, and key debates in nationalism studies.
• Recognise the interdisciplinary character of nationalism.
• Utilise an array of ways of categorising and comparing different forms of nationalism globally, and to critically assess their utility.
• Make informed judgements about the applicability of theories to particular substantive cases of nationalism globally.
• Identify major contemporary themes in the study of nationalism.
• Appreciate the diversity of forms of nationalism, and of ways of studying it.
• Write a dissertation demonstrating an ability to compare theories and relate them to substantive case material.

Important destinations for previous nationalism graduates include:

• education and research (MRes or PhD)
• government and international organisations
• policy and advocacy
• media and journalism

Broad expertise 

Nationalism in Global Perspective is co-hosted by the Department of Sociology and the Department of Politics and International Relations. You will benefit from the proximity to high-profile centres specialising in issues relevant to the study of nationalism in the UK and around the world and with close links with the policy and media world (RACE.ED, Centre on Constitutional Change, Centre of Canadian Studies, Centre for South Asian Studies, Centre for Constitutional Law). 

A stimulating research environment 

This stimulating research environment offers you a range of opportunities to engage with leading international scholars and practitioners in the field through a range of seminars, conferences, and workshops. 

Association for the Study of Ethnicity and Nationalism

Our programme is also closely linked with the Association for the Study of Ethnicity and Nationalism (ASEN). Indeed, the University of Edinburgh has hosted the first ‘regional’ branch of the Association and one of our faculty, Professor Jonathan Hearn, is the current President of ASEN. 

• Association for the Study of Ethnicity and Nationalism

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

A UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent.

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 6 in each component.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the programme you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Trinity ISE, or Oxford ELLT test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the programme begins, regardless of your nationality. (Revised 14 January 2025 to include Oxford ELLT.)

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

Tuition fees

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

• borrowing money
  • taking out a loan
  • family support
• personal savings
• income from work
• employer sponsorship
• scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding