PRE-PROGRAM. The pre-program is a mandatory introductory period. During this module, you will explore key themes on the dynamics of global affairs, including economics, quantitative and digital skills and the broad foundations of international studies. The courses in the Pre-program include:. ECONOMICS PRE-COURSE. This pre-course has been designed to provide you with an understanding of the economic principles that shape technological innovation and global markets. By taking this course, you will explore key concepts such as market dynamics, public policy and digital economies, building a strong foundation for your master’s degree.. INTERNATIONAL STUDIES PRE-COURSE. This pre-course has been designed to provide you with the fundamental concepts of global affairs in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. By taking this course, you will examine international institutions, geopolitics and global governance, gaining the context needed to understand the relationship between technology and world affairs.. QUANTITATIVE & DIGITAL SKILLS PRE-COURSE. This pre-course has been designed to introduce you to the quantitative and digital skills required throughout the program. By taking this course, you will develop a foundation in statistics, data analysis and computational thinking, equipping you with the analytical tools needed to address complex global challenges.

Terms. 10 MONTHS. TERM 1. PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS. Students are introduced to the core principles of probability, statistical inference, uncertainty, sampling, and data interpretation, building the analytical foundation needed to work with evidence in policy and governance contexts. They will learn how to make sense of complex data, assess patterns and risks, and translate quantitative insights into informed, responsible decision-making.. ETHICS OF TECHNOLOGICAL PROGRESS. We’ll start building your foundations in the program with a humanistic look at the challenges that tech such as AI and machine learning pose in their interactions with our societies. You’ll address tech’s effect on justice, freedom, autonomy and human well-being, and how emerging technologies are even challenging the traditional ideas of ourselves and the human experience that underpin our ethics and our political philosophies. Examining social networks, big data, AI and virtual/meta realities, you’ll explore the philosophical questions posed by these technologies as they influence not just our public interactions but our social consciousness.. NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND THE GLOBAL ECONOMY. This course examines the impact technology is having on global governance and international cooperation, with a particular look at how international organizations like the UN and the EU operate. You’ll also explore emerging tech in the space, such as cryptocurrencies, that are increasingly becoming subject to multilateral standards and governance. You’ll study the disruptive power of tech on the structures and practices of organizations, producing an academic and research-based project that will leverage your data analysis or theoretical development skills.. GEOPOLITICS OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY. Digital technologies are transforming global power dynamics. Students will examine how emerging technologies shape geopolitical competition, infrastructure dependencies, technical standards, and digital sovereignty, with particular attention to areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, and data governance.. DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES FOR POLICY PROFESSIONALS. Policy professionals today need to understand the technologies shaping contemporary governance. This course provides a solid technical grounding in artificial intelligence, biometrics, recommender systems, algorithmic decision-making, and the data and privacy stack, giving students the vocabulary and conceptual tools needed to engage confidently with technical experts and assess the policy implications of digital transformation.. TERM 2. QUANTITATIVE METHODS FOR POLICY ANALYSIS. Through regression analysis, causal inference, experiments, and evaluation methods, students develop the quantitative tools used to assess policy decisions and measure their real-world impact. The course explores how to determine whether policies work, identify what drives outcomes, and generate evidence that supports smarter, more effective public and private-sector interventions.. NEGOTIATION. Effective negotiation is essential in diplomacy, public-private collaboration, regulatory discussions, and complex deal-making. Students will learn how to prepare strategically, manage competing interests, communicate effectively, and reach durable agreements in high-stakes environments. The course emphasizes both analytical preparation and interpersonal skills, helping students become more confident and effective negotiators.. STRATEGIC FORESIGHT METHODS. In uncertain and fast-moving environments, the ability to anticipate change is essential. This course trains students to identify weak signals, map key drivers of transformation, and build future scenarios that help decision-makers prepare for emerging challenges. By combining analytical thinking with strategic imagination, students develop the ability to navigate complexity and design more resilient policy responses.. GOVERNANCE OF AI, DATA AND PLATFORMS. As artificial intelligence, data, and digital platforms become central to economic and social life, new governance models are emerging around the world. Students will compare how major jurisdictions approach privacy, data protection, soft law, technical standards, and regulatory coordination, while exploring how governments, companies, and international actors respond to questions of accountability, transparency, competition, and innovation.. POLICY DESIGN. Designing sound policy requires a clear understanding of problems, instruments, trade-offs, and implementation challenges. Students will learn how to define policy problems, assess available tools, structure interventions, and evaluate feasibility across political, institutional, and social contexts. By combining analytical rigor with practical design thinking, the course prepares them to create policy solutions that can be implemented and measured in the real world.. PUBLIC AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS. Organizations increasingly need to engage with policymakers, regulators, civil society, and industry actors to shape responsible policy outcomes. This course explores advocacy, coalitions, consultation, regulatory strategy, and stakeholder engagement in technology policy, preparing students to understand and navigate the public affairs landscape surrounding digital transformation, innovation, and emerging technology regulation.. TERM 3. AI GOVERNANCE. SPECIALIZATION TRACK. AI RISK AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT ​. Students learn to evaluate AI use cases before deployment — identifying affected stakeholders, mapping regulatory obligations under the AI Act and data-protection law, and assessing organisational, legal, ethical and rights-related risks, including those arising from training data: provenance, quality, bias and privacy.. AI GOVERNANCE IMPLEMENTATION LAB ​. Students build practical AI and data governance tools for organisations — oversight roles, policies, lifecycle controls for models and data, provenance and documentation standards (model cards, datasheets), monitoring routines, vendor due diligence, escalation processes, and the skills to interpret evaluations, audits and red-team findings — producing documentation and board-ready evidence files.. *Students may choose two of our specialization tracks, along with two additional electives from other IE programs. This allows them to broaden their knowledge and skills while building a more interdisciplinary learning experience.. CYBERSECURITY POLICY AND STRATEGY. SPECIALIZATION TRACK. CYBERSECURITY POLICY AND GOVERNANCE ​. Students learn to analyse cybersecurity as a policy and governance challenge — covering the EU regulatory stack (NIS2, DORA, Cyber Resilience Act), cyber diplomacy and standardisation, public-private coordination, third-party and supply-chain cyber risk, vulnerability disclosure, critical infrastructure protection, and global cyber governance debates.. CYBER CRISIS MANAGEMENT AND RESILIENCE ​. Students learn to manage cyber crises end to end — incident escalation, regulatory notification, public-private coordination, critical- service continuity, cyber insurance, stakeholder and board communication, post-incident remediation and lessons learned — through guided labs and a tabletop crisis simulation.. *Students may choose two of our specialization tracks, along with two additional electives from other IE programs. This allows them to broaden their knowledge and skills while building a more interdisciplinary learning experience.. PLATFORM GOVERNANCE AND INFORMATION INTEGRITY. SPECIALIZATION TRACK. DISINFORMATION AND INFLUENCE OPERATIONS ​. Students learn to analyse disinformation, misinformation, propaganda, synthetic media, and coordinated online behaviour with attention to manipulation tactics, evidence standards, and attribution limits.. PLATFORM GOVERNANCE AND DEMOCRATIC RESILIENCE ​. Students learn to design rights-respecting responses to digital information risks — platform governance under the DSA, content policy and trust and safety, generative-AI risks such as synthetic media and AI-assisted campaigns, election integrity, and civic resilience — navigating the tension between countering manipulation and protecting free expression.. *Students may choose two of our specialization tracks, along with two additional electives from other IE programs. This allows them to broaden their knowledge and skills while building a more interdisciplinary learning experience.. TECHNOLOGY & GEOPOLITICAL RISK. SPECIALIZATION TRACK. GEOPOLITICAL RISK ANALYSIS. Students learn to assess geopolitical exposure by mapping strategic ecosystems, infrastructure dependencies, supply chains, chokepoints, jurisdictional risks, data sovereignty and cross-border data flows, and sources of strategic leverage.. TECHNOLOGY, TRADE AND ECONOMIC SECURITY ​. Students design policy and organisational responses to technology- related geopolitical risk, using tools such as export controls, sanctions, investment screening, data-localisation and cross-border data-flow rules, digital trade provisions, procurement, research security, industrial policy, and supply-chain diversification.. *Students may choose two of our specialization tracks, along with two additional electives from other IE programs. This allows them to broaden their knowledge and skills while building a more interdisciplinary learning experience.. ELECTIVES & CAPSTONE PROJECT. TWO ADDITIONAL ELECTIVES FROM OTHER IE PROGRAMS. CAPSTONE PROJECT OR THESIS. *Students may choose two of our specialization tracks, along with two additional electives from other IE programs. This allows them to broaden their knowledge and skills while building a more interdisciplinary learning experience.

Add-Ons. STUDY TRIPS & INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCES. Students have the opportunity to visit leading international organizations and institutions, offering a unique chance to see how the concepts explored in the classroom are applied to real-world global challenges.. THE IMMERSION EXPERIENCE. As part of the program, you'll take part in our signature study trip, the Immersion Week, designed to bring the realities of technology, geopolitics and global governance to life beyond the classroom. This hands-on experience gives you exclusive access to leading organizations, institutions and industry experts shaping the future of innovation and digital policy. Throughout the week, you'll gain first-hand insights into how emerging technologies influence international decision-making while expanding your professional network through direct engagement with policymakers, business leaders and technology experts. * Please note that destinations and organizations visited during the Immersion Week may vary from year to year.. IMMERSION WEEK HIGHLIGHTS. Previous editions have taken students to destinations such as Brussels and London, where they visited world-leading organizations including the European Commission, the European Parliament, Political Intelligence, Google and Meta. These visits offer a unique opportunity to experience first-hand how governments, international organizations and global technology companies collaborate to address today's most pressing challenges at the intersection of technology, policy and innovation. * Please note that destinations and organizations visited during the Immersion Week may vary from year to year.. GLOBAL EXCHANGE OPPORTUNITIES. Take your learning beyond borders with an optional exchange semester at one of IE University's partner universities. After completing your studies in Madrid, you'll gain valuable international experience, broaden your understanding of technology and global affairs in a new regional context, and build lasting connections with students, faculty and professionals from around the world.. CERTIFICATE ON FOUNDATIONS OF SUSTAINABILITY. IE University’s Certificate on Foundations of Sustainability is an optional program designed to complement your Master in Technology and Global Affairs. Through a multidisciplinary approach, you will develop the knowledge and practical skills needed to integrate sustainability into technology, policy, and decision-making. The certificate will equip you to address complex global challenges while creating responsible, innovative, and lasting impact across organizations, governments, and society.. YOUR CAREER DEVELOPMENT WITH IE TALENT & CAREERS. At IE University, your career development starts from day one. Through IE Talent & Careers, you'll receive personalized support to define your professional goals, strengthen your profile, and connect with leading employers around the world. From one-to-one coaching and career workshops to networking events and recruitment opportunities, you'll gain the tools and guidance needed to successfully launch or accelerate your career in technology, policy, and global affairs.  Personalized career advising.   Personal branding and LinkedIn strategy.   CV and interview preparation.   Career workshops and employer sessions.   Networking with leading organizations.   Access to IE's global alumni and employer network.

Dual Degrees With Partner Universities. MAKE IT A DUAL DEGREE WITH OUR TOP PARTNER UNIVERSITIES. The Dual Degree Master in Technology and Global Affairs with Sciences Po combines IE University's forward-looking approach to technology, policy, and global affairs with Sciences Po's renowned expertise in international relations and public affairs. Over two years, you'll study in Madrid and Paris, gaining a multidisciplinary perspective and the skills to lead at the intersection of technology, geopolitics, and global governance.