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International Relations and Diplomacy (MSc)

The two-year MSc IRD programme offers you a unique blend of academic education in international relations and political science with practical graduate education and training in international negotiation and diplomacy. You attend a wide range of courses, develop your analytical and research skills, take on an internship, write your master’s thesis, and build your network with experts in relevant fields. Upon graduation you are prepared to take on positions in international organisations, politics, and diplomacy; or for PhD research.

Programme structure

The International Relations and Diplomacy programme gives you a unique combination: a thorough academic education in international relations and political science with practice-based training in international negotiation and diplomacy.

Programme outline

a)  Core Courses

First Year

  • Diplomacy: Theory and Practice
  • International Negotiations
  • Quantitative Research methods
  • Qualitative Research Methods
  • Electives: (3 Elective Courses)
  • Peacebuilding and State-building
  • Religion and World Politics

Second year

  • Diplomacy and International Law
  • International Political Economy
  • Electives: (3 Elective Courses)
  • Research Design
  • Conflict, Civil War and Mediation
  • Master Thesis

b)  Elective Courses

  • Diplomatic Management of International Crises
  • Peacebuilding and State-building
  • Non-violent Resistance Movements
  • Globalization and Labor
  • Global Political Economy
  • Religion and World Politics
  • Political Economy of Institutions and Development
  • Surveillance and Human Rights
  • Diplomatic Management of International Crises
  • Globalization and Governance;
  • Communication, Technology and Misinformation
  • Public Choice; Non-Western Diplomacy:
  • The Case of East Asia

Career Prospects

The MSc IRD prepares you specifically for a career in international diplomacy, international government and non-governmental organisations, national or international public administration, ‘think tanks’ and research institutions, international interest associations or international business.

Skills After Graduation

In view of the range of courses the students attend, their analytical and research skills, possible internship experience, master’s thesis, and contact with experts in relevant fields, graduates of this programme possess a high level of academic education and preparation for relevant positions in international organisations, international politics, and diplomacy. The programme also aims to prepare students for possible continued academic training within the framework of a doctoral programme.