Understanding conflict, power, and security today

Questions of war, security, and strategy have returned to the center of global debate. From the re-emergence of large-scale conflict to the continued threat of terrorism, cyber warfare, and nuclear proliferation, the international system is under strain in ways many once believed belonged to the past.

As a historian, I am often struck by how frequently contemporary events echo earlier moments of crisis and transition. While the technologies of warfare may change, the underlying questions remain familiar: how power is exercised, how decisions are made under pressure, and how states and non-state actors pursue their interests in an uncertain world.

These are the questions that sit at the heart of the MA in Strategic Studies (Online) at University College Cork.

Dr Clodagh Harrington.

Understanding the present through the past

A central principle of our programme is that strategic thinking cannot be separated from history. Contemporary security challenges do not emerge in isolation. They are shaped by long-term developments in warfare, diplomacy, ideology, and international order.

Our MA offers a well-rounded approach to strategic studies that brings historical analysis into direct conversation with present-day security concerns. Students examine issues such as terrorism, nuclear proliferation, peacekeeping, the changing international system, and the rise of non-state actors, while also exploring how strategic thought has evolved over time.

By studying modern and contemporary conflicts alongside earlier periods of war and strategy, students gain a deeper understanding of why conflicts unfold as they do and how strategic decisions are shaped by context, constraint, and consequence.

The Quad at University College Cork.

A programme designed for today’s realities

The MA in Strategic Studies is delivered fully online over two years on a part-time basis. This structure reflects the realities of many of our students’ lives. Participants include professionals working in government, diplomacy, defence, international organisations, and related fields, as well as those with a strong academic or personal interest in security and strategy.

Online delivery allows students to engage with course material when it suits them, while still being part of an active academic community. 

Throughout the programme, students are encouraged to apply what they are learning to real-world case studies and contemporary debates.

UK-Ireland Summit with Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Liverpool, UK, March 2025.

Skills that matter in a complex global environment

Alongside subject knowledge, the programme focuses on building strong analytical, research, and writing skills. Students learn how to assess complex information, challenge competing narratives, and communicate their thinking clearly – skills that are increasingly valued across government, diplomacy, security, and international organisations.

A varied and engaging assignment approach 

The programme's assessment strategy is designed to develop well-rounded skills while fostering genuine intellectual engagement. Students complete a range of assessments including traditional essays, book reviews, presentations and podcast assignments, each encouraging different forms of critical thinking and communication. 

Discussion boards play a particularly valuable role, creating opportunities for peer-to-peer dialogue and collaborative learning that builds a strong sense of community among students. As a tutor, this is the forum where I really get a sense of where students are coming from both in terms of their own experience and their desire to learn with and from each other. 

The programme culminates in the dissertation – the most substantial and rewarding challenge of the course. Completed with the support of an assigned supervisor, the dissertation represents a major student achievement, allowing participants to pursue original research on a topic of personal or professional significance, often chiming with their own career expertise. 

UrsulaVon der Leyen addressed a joint sitting of the Houses of the Oireachtas to mark Ireland's 50-year membership of the EU in 2022.

Learning that connects directly to professional life

One of the most rewarding aspects of directing this programme is seeing how students apply their learning beyond the academic setting. Among our graduates is Marcella Smyth, Ireland’s Consul General to the South Western United States.

Reflecting on her experience of the course, she has spoken about its direct professional relevance. “I thoroughly enjoyed my time at UCC. The course was a significant benefit to me professionally – I was able to draw on so much of what I learned for my work. I also really enjoyed being back in academia, challenging myself within that environment again.”

Marcella has also highlighted the importance of flexibility and support while studying online: “Working full time in a demanding role, as well as being a parent, meant I needed a course that allowed for study at irregular hours. The flexibility of the programme made that possible. The discussion forums, group assignments, and the opportunity for in-person learning ensured a strong sense of connection and support throughout.”

Studying strategy for the world we live in

Strategic studies is not about simple answers or crystal-ball predictions. It is about learning how to think clearly when information is incomplete, assumptions are contested, and the stakes are high.

At a time when global politics feels increasingly volatile, these skills matter more than ever. Our aim is to equip students with the historical perspective, analytical confidence, and critical judgment needed to engage seriously with the strategic challenges of their time.

For those who want to understand how power operates internationally, how conflicts begin and evolve, and how strategic decisions shape global outcomes, the MA in Strategic Studies (Online) offers a rigorous and flexible route into advanced study.

Learn more

Find out more about the MA in Strategic Studies (Online) at University College Cork at UCC.ie.