Master in International Relations - Study Plan
Lead the transition for a better tomorrow
WHO CAN DO THE MASTER IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS?
RECENT GRADUATES
That have just finished their undergraduate education and would like to pursue a master’s degree in order to complement or further strengthen their undergraduate education.
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
With a couple years of experience that want to steer their careers in the desired path. They might be looking to add an international dimension to their current function, or qualify for new opportunities.
CAREER SHIFTERS
Professionals that have worked for several years but want to explore new options. They are now looking for a change in sector, industry, function, geographic location or a combination of those.
A unique program
The Master's degree gives influential leaders the tools to transform situations and make a meaningful difference in the public, private and non-profit sectors.
The core courses are divided into four areas: geopolitics and international affairs, international business and economics, regional studies, and management and decision-making. Master students also complete a final project, either a Master’s thesis or a Capstone Consulting Project. The program is complemented by a week-long fieldwork visit to Brussels and an optional international exchange semester at one of our prestigious partner universities.
History of International Relations
This course will consider key developments in international relations over the past 250 years, with a focus on themes like the emergence of the nation state, the emergence of the international system, colonialism and post-colonialism, the causes of great wars, and the creation of international governance organizations.
International Relations Theory and Strategy
In this course, students are introduced to the theoretical paradigms which guide research in international relations. Students will learn how to develop hypotheses, investigate them with qualitative and quantitative data, and to apply theoretical reasoning to the analysis key contemporary global dynamics.
Diplomacy, Sanctions, and War
This course will take a practical, case-oriented approach to studying the range of tools that governments and diplomats have at their disposal when making foreign policy. We emphasize both the ‘sticks’ and ‘carrots’ of foreign policy, and take a critical approach to how these tools have been deployed in specific geopolitical contexts.
International Law and International Organizations
The course examines how international institutions—such as the UN, WTO, IMF and NATO— operate in today’s world, and their role in addressing global challenges such as economic governance, transnational security, social inclusion, and climate change.
Security Studies Lab
This elective course is for students who want to take a deeper dive into issues of Geopolitics, Civil War, Conflict Resolution, Humanitarian Interventions, and Peace Building. It will give students the opportunity to develop individual projects and specializations, and provide them professional training and experience in the fields of security, peace, conflict resolution, and humanitarian intervention.
Global Governance and Sustainability Lab
This elective course is for students who want to take a deeper dive into issues of International Cooperation, the European Union, Environmental Politics, Energy Politics, and Public-Private Partnerships. It will give students the opportunity to develop individual projects and specializations, and provide them professional training and experience in the fields of global governance, sustainability, and international cooperation.
Economic Policy and Analysis
The course covers the most important economic theories, concepts, and policies for international relations, and provides students the analytic tools necessary to understand and evaluate everything from to consumer demand, to market dynamics, to macro-economic policy (fiscal, monetary, regulatory, etc.).
International Political Economy
This course introduces students to the complex interface between politics and economics in the international system, with a focus on globalization in the realms of trade, finance, migration, health (pandemics), and climate.
Intro to Econometrics
This course examines quantitative methods for causal inference in international relations. By the end of the course, students will be able to identify strengths and weaknesses of empirical research, and to design their own high-quality analyses of important questions in IR.
International Political Economy Lab
This elective course is for students who want to take a deeper dive into issues of International Finance, International Trade, Value Chains, International Investment, and Economic Development. It will give students the opportunity to develop individual projects and specializations, and provide them professional training and experience in the fields of international trade, business, management, and economic development.
Comparative Politics
This course teaches students to analyze countries’ political systems, governance processes, and policy profiles; and to understand how these dynamics are grounded in specific historical and cultural ideas and experiences. It provides students the comparative tool kit necessary for effective and rigorous regional analysis.
Regional Studies Track in China and East Asia
This course offers a rigorous immersion into the political and economic relations between China, its region, and the rest of the world.
Regional Studies Track in Sub-Saharan Africa
This course will provide students a general introduction to the study of political-economy and economic development in sub-Saharan Africa.
Regional Track in the Middle East and North Africa
This course offers a multidisciplinary approach to the study of the contemporary Middle East and North Africa (MENA), focusing on its politics, economies and international relations.
Regional Studies Track in Europe and North America
This course will provide students training in the history, institutions, processes, policies and key challenges faced by Europe and North America.
Regional Studies Track in Latin America and the Caribbean
This course examines key political, social, and economic developments in modern Latin America, with an eye towards future challenges and opportunities.
Data Analytics and Decision Making
This course will improve students’ ability to manage and utilize the vast amount of quantitative data produced by modern societies. With a tool-based, hands-on approach, we take students through the process of gathering, cleaning, and data, and teach them how to communicate statistical findings so as to maximize their professional, social, and policy impact.
Project Management and Impact Assessment
The provides students the basic results-based management tools including theory of change, the log frame approach, and methodologies for impact assessment, which will allow them to contribute to the design and management of international programs and projects.
Master’s Thesis
The master’s thesis presents an opportunity for students to gain true expertise in a certain aspect of international development. Each student is allocated an academic tutor, who supervises them and guides them through the challenges of multidisciplinary research. This gives them the chance to put the critical thinking skills they’ve learned over the course of the program to the test.
Capstone Consulting Project
Students who take on the capstone consulting project are placed with an international organization for the final two terms of the program. Each student is supervised by a coordinator from the host company, who regularly monitors them as they carry out risk assessment and impact reports, putting their theoretical knowledge into practice.
Introduction to Career Services
How to improve your CV and Cover Letter
How to use LinkedIn
Personal Branding
Interview Preparation and Salary Negotiation
Job Hunting Workshop
CAPSTONE PARTNERS
IE Explains
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