The aim of the program is to offer students in-depth knowledge on the topics of globalization, international institutions, security, development studies and human rights. It enables our graduate students to understand and analyze complex political and social problems that go beyond state borders and cultural boundaries.

This program is recommended to applicants who are interested in politics, social problems and interactions between different nations and cultures. While we typically prefer students with a strong background in political science or international relations, our program is designed to provide an opportunity for students from other fields to catch up with their peers during the first semesters, provided they are committed and dedicated.

This program enables students to work independently and also as members of a team. We help them to develop skills of adaptability and self-reflexivity that are crucial in today’s fast-changing world. Our aim is to give our students skills and knowledge that could be readily used whether they seek employment in the public or the private sphere.

Specializations

Following an introductory semester on advanced classes of international relations and political science in the second semester, students can choose from one of the following three specializations (the assignment to specialization is merit based: it considers student preferences as well as their study performance).

• European development and foreign policy

• Human Rights

• Security Studies

The European Development and Foreign Policy specialization offers courses on the connection between development policies and wealth, the international political economy of developing countries, the development policies of the EU, trade policy and theories of global inequalities. The Human Rights specialization offers courses on human dignity, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, elections and rights of participation. Security Studies specialization offers courses on institutions of security, conflict and peace studies, critical security studies, liberty and security, and crisis management.

Strength of programme

The MA in International Relations offers intensive training in three fields of specialization following an introductory semester. Classes are predominantly seminars of few students taking part in an intensive training of completing numerous written and oral assignments. Instructors in the program include academics, but also professionals with ongoing experience at international organizations to offer students an internal perspective into how IR is ‘done in the field’. Our students come from across the globe, creating a vibrant, intellectually rich international community and providing opportunity to get a first-hand experience about how to cooperate with people of different cultural background.

Career opportunities

Our graduates may seek employment at international institutions, the private sector, the media or at NGO’s.

Job examples

• Foreign Policy Analyst

• Lobbyist

• Project coordinator (public/private/non-profit)

• Political Advisor

• Administrative jobs in the state bureaucracy and at private enterprises