Master in International Relations

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Master In International Relations

duration10 months

languageEnglish

locationMadrid + One-week international field trip

intakeSeptember

MODE OF STUDYIn-person

FormatFull-time

duration10 months

languageEnglish

locationMadrid + One-week international field trip

intakeSeptember

MODE OF STUDYIn-person

FormatFull-time

A UNIQUE PROGRAM

The Master in International Relations is designed to fit each student’s individual preferred area of study. Built around four core areas—Management and Analytical Skills, Geopolitics and Diplomacy, International Economics and Business, and Global Governance and International Cooperation—the program allows you to specialize in one area as well as one geographical region.

FOCUS ON THE REGION THAT MOST INTERESTS YOU

The Master in International Relations allows you to personalize your program content even further, giving you a deeper understanding of a particular region. In addition to the opportunity to customize your program with one of three specialization tracks, you’ll explore your chosen region’s culture, history, and role in international relations. Choose from: China and East Asia; Europe and North America; Africa; the Middle East and North Africa; or Latin America.

*Providing an enriching learning environment is one of our priorities. With this in mind, if only a small number of students choose a specific region, that region will not run that academic year.

Want to know more?

EXPLORE THE MASTER IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS PROGRAM

Learn more about the three specialization options:

Political risk analysis for a turbulent world | IE University

GEOPOLITICS AND DIPLOMACY

This specialization focuses on the skills and knowledge you’ll need to work with confidence in the geopolitical and diplomatic arena. Familiarize yourself with the current global security outlook and challenges, explore international negotiation techniques and foreign policy tools, and look at modern conflict-resolution methods. You’ll also analyze how foreign policy works and how inter-state relations are affected by global trends.

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS

In this specialization, you will deep dive into international trade, finance and global markets. Contemporary economic themes, investment theory, policy-making, and the impact of digitalization on the global economy and global supply chains will all feature. You’ll also examine the international institutional frameworks within which global economic policies are constructed and implemented and businesses operate.

GLOBAL GOVERNANCE AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

This specialization focuses on international organizations and cooperation, human rights and sustainability. Subject areas will center on collaborative efforts, examining a range of partnership models including inter-governmental and public-private partnerships. It will also examine the impact of technological development on international cooperation, and recent developments in global governance arrangements. The UN’s 2030 Agenda and the SDGs are a key focus of this specialization.

CAPSTONE PARTNERS

For their final project, students of the Master in International Relations can choose between an individual, research-oriented thesis or a practical team-based Capstone Consulting Project. Underneath you can find capstone partners for the Master in International Relations.

NOTE: The partners listed here are from previous intakes. Partnering institutions may vary from year to year.

SEE MORE ABOUT CAPSTONE PROJECTS

OUR PARTNERSHIPS AND MEMBERSHIPS

OECD

At IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs, we are committed to training professionals who are prepared to address today’s complex global issues. Together with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Master in International Relations is designed to address key global challenges. The program will teach you how to develop policies that respond to society’s most pressing issues, including weak economic growth, rising inequalities, the future of work, the SDGs, climate change and responding to the digital revolution.

OTHER MEMBERSHIPS

The Master in International Relations also closely collaborates with many other partner institutions. Thanks to these collaborations, you’ll benefit from enhanced courses, capstone project opportunities and electives, alongside career-enhancing internship opportunities. Furthermore, thanks to the increasing recognition of our outstanding faculty, IE University is now a full member of the most prestigious organizations and networks in its academic space: the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA), the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA), the European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR).

ONE-WEEK FIELDTRIP TO BRUSSELS

In between the second and third terms, you’ll take a fieldwork trip to Brussels, where you’ll visit and learn from regional and global players in the space of international relations. Our partners in these trips include the European Commission, the European Parliament and NATO, as well as private-sector and civil-society organizations.

This week-long trip also includes visits to European institutions, think tanks, companies and international organizations such as NATO and the OECD, among others*. These are outstanding opportunities to come face to face with these institutions’ world-shaping work.

* Visits to organizations may vary from one year to another.

Watch the experience

WANT TO HEAR MORE ABOUT PAST STUDENTS EXPERIENCES IN BRUSSELS?

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Opcional extra semester abroad

Partner universities

25%

of MIR studtents do an exchange program

PARTNER UNIVERSITIES FOR THE EXCHANGES

You can customize your program by spending an additional semester at one of our partner universities around the globe. This will come after the third and final semester in Madrid.

We have now finalized agreements with even more partner universities, offering you the choice of 11 world-leading institutions of higher learning to spend your optional semester learning in another country.

NOTE: Spots are limited in all exchange programs. You’ll need to complete a separate application process per school and the program is not included in the IE University fees.

SCIENCES PO

27, rue Saint Guillaume – 75337 Paris Cedex 07

UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH

4200 Fifth Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15260

UNIVERSIDAD DE SAN ANDRÉS

25 de Mayo 586 (C1002ABL) Ciudad de Buenos Aires

UNIVERSITY OF ST. GALLEN

Dufourstrasse 50 CH-9000 St.Gallen

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO, MUNK SCHOOL OF GLOBAL AFFAIRS

315 Bloor Street West (At the Observatory) Toronto, Ontario, M5S 0A7 Canada

AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF BEIRUT

Riad El Solh, Beirut 1107 2020 Lebanon

UNIVERSITY OF ICELAND

Sæmundargata 2 102 Reykjavík, Iceland

TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF MUNICH

Arcisstraße 21 80333 München, Germany

UNIVERSITY OF BOLOGNA (ITALY)

Via Zamboni, 33 40126 Bologna, Italy

UNIVERSITY OF MILAN

Via Festa del Perdono, 7 20122 Milano, Italy

LUISS, ROMA

Viale Romania, 32 00197 Roma, Italia

Frequently Asked Questions

Is international relations a good career?

The Master in International Relations has been carefully curated to lead you to a rewarding career in which you can make a lasting impact in a variety of roles and sectors. The program opens the door to a myriad of possibilities.

How much does an international relations major earn?

92% of all International Relations graduates received a job offer in a wide range of roles and sectors within three months of graduation. Salaries vary depending on the area, from the public & institutional sector and intergovernmental organizations to NGOs, think tanks and lobbying firms.

How do I prepare for a masters in international relations?

As a top school for international relations programs, IE University requires online assessments, placement exams and in-person or virtual meetings to assess candidates. Make sure you have your forms ready and feel comfortable with answering questions about your professional skills and background. The final decision comes after a personal interview.

What classes should I take for international relations?

International Relations students at IE University choose one of four focus areas. These include Management and Analytical Skills, Geopolitics and Diplomacy, International Economics and Business, and Global Governance and International Cooperation. Students also designate a geographic specialization to accompany their studies.

How long is a masters in international relations?

Instructed in English, the IE Master in International Relations is a 10-month, in-person program based in Madrid with a one-week trip to Brussels with the option of an additional semester abroad. Students experience hands-on learning in leading organizations, making it one of the best master’s in international relations available

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