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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes International Relations and International Organization
Header image International Relations and International Organization

International Relations and International Organization

One world, 7 billion people, 193 sovereign states, over 6,000 (Non-)Governmental Organizations, 1,000s of multinationals, all tied up in complex processes of dis/integration, cooperation and conflict.

International Relations as a discipline is almost a century old. About its origins different interpretations exist, but in general IR emerged in response to the consequences of power politics in Europe, culminating in the First World War, and in response to specific research questions within Political Science. IR in Europe started as an interdisciplinary project, IR in Groningen still follows this tradition.

International Relations and International Organization, a track of the Master's in International Relations, offers a comprehensive study in theory and practice. Theretofore, IRIO uses a 'self-service' model. Besides the mandatory course on advanced theory, capita IRIO and the master thesis, you can select from specialized research seminars in five essential areas of Internationals Relations: International Security, International Political Economy, European Politics in a Global Perspective, Geopolitics & Connectivity and East Asian Studies . Moreover, to prepare for an international career you can organize a placement at a public or private organization in the field of international relations, where you can apply your knowledge and skills in a 'real-time' environment.


Facts & Figures
Degree
MA in International Relations
Course type
Master
Duration
12 months (60 ECTS)
Croho code
60734
Language of instruction
English
Start
February, September
Faculty
Arts
Why study this programme in Groningen?

The Master's track IRIO offers: (a) flexibility in the selection of courses, enabling students to design a study programme tailored to their needs and interests; (b) a research-led and policy-oriented curriculum taught by a committed staff; (c) reserves room for a career-oriented placement that excellently prepares graduates for the labour market and (d) provides an excellent preparation for a variety of positions related to the broad field of international relations.

Programme

The Master's degree programme International Relations is 60 ECTS. During your first semester, you take the module Advanced Theory and Research Practice in International Relations. This module must be followed by all students. In addition, you choose two Research Seminars (from five essential areas of IR: East Asian Studies, Int. Security, IPE, Eur. Politics in a Global Perspective, and Geopolitics & Connectivity) and you complete the specialization course Capita IRIO.

During your second semester, you will write a Master Thesis (in the field of International Relations) and you will choose between doing a Placement or professionalization electives.

If you choose the Placement option, you must find and apply for your Placement yourself, on the basis of your interests and skills. The Placement should last at least 7 weeks full-time. If you choose to do a Placement that takes longer than 7 weeks, it might be difficult to finish the programme within one year, and you will have to register for the extra months.

For examples of Research Seminar topics, please go to the Course Catalogue (link below). If you start the Master programme in September, you choose Research Seminars from semester I. If you start in February, you choose Research Seminars from semester II.

Because the programme starts in September as well as in February, all elements of the programme are offered both in the first and in the second semester. Please note: because the topics of the Research Seminars depend on the expertise of the lecturers, the list may be subject to change and differs each semester/year.

Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b
Advanced Theory and Research Practice in International Relations (5 EC)
Capita IRIO (5 EC)
Research Seminar 1 (10 EC)

Example: - Politics of Natural Resources - Popular Culture and World Politics

Research Seminar 2 (10 EC)

Example: - Global Politics of Disease - Human Rights, Democracy and Peace

Master's thesis IRIO (20 EC)
Master's Placement (10 EC, optional)
Professionalization Electives (10 EC, optional)

Example: - Career Seminar: Working in and on Governance

Curriculum

Because the track starts in September as well as in February, all courses are offered both in the first and in the second semester.

Examples of Research Seminars are: 'Europe and China', 'Culture, Fear and Insecurity', 'Politics of Natural Resources', and 'Money, Trade and Crime'. The topics of the research seminars differ every year, so these are merely examples.

Programme options
Master's placement (specialization)

A placement is a recognised component of this Master's track.

It is your responsibility to find a placement yourself, but the Office for Student Affairs can offer help with this where necessary.

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is unaccommodated
Entry requirements

Transfer options

Transferring from...

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
All Universities of applied sciences

Via a pre-master

More information:

with a HBO Bachelor's degree certificate with an international profile and/or knowledge of social sciences, for example Political Sciences, American Studies, History, European/International Law or International Economics and an IRIO pre-master

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
International Relations and International OrganizationUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
Liberal Arts and SciencesUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

Additional requirements:
  • additional subject
More information:

with a specialization International Relations and International Law, and a number of required courses (see below)

American StudiesUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

with an IRIO faculty minor or pre-master

Communication and Information StudiesUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

with an IRIO faculty minor or pre-master

HistoryUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

with an IRIO faculty minor or pre-master

Media StudiesUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

with an IRIO faculty minor or pre-master

Minorities & MultilingualismUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

with an IRIO faculty minor or pre-master

Middle Eastern StudiesUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

with an IRIO faculty minor or pre-master

European Languages and CulturesUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

If you started the BA programme in 2016 or later, with the profile Politics and Society OR with an IRIO faculty minor/ pre-master

International BusinessUniversity of Groningen

Via a pre-master

More information:

with an IRIO pre-master

PsychologyUniversity of Groningen

Via a pre-master

More information:

with an IRIO pre-master

Psychology (EN)University of Groningen

Via a pre-master

More information:

with an IRIO pre-master

SociologyUniversity of Groningen

Via a pre-master

More information:

with an IRIO pre-master

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
International Relations and International OrganizationAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
American StudiesAll Research universities

Via a pre-master

More information:

with an IRIO pre-master

History (part-time)All Research universities

Via a pre-master

More information:

with an IRIO pre-master

International and European LawAll Research universities

Via a pre-master

More information:

with an IRIO pre-master

Political ScienceAll Research universities

Via a pre-master

More information:

with an IRIO pre-master

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

Students with a Bachelor's degree in International Relations and International Organization from the University of Groningen or from another Dutch university, students with a Bachelor's degree from the University of Groningen in European Languages and Cultures (Profile Politics & Society) who started in 2016 or later, and students with a BA in International Relations and International Law (IRIL) from University College Groningen (if they have completed the following set of courses: International Relations Theories (and Practice) (5 ECTS), International Politics (5 ECTS), Statistics 1 (5 ECTS), Two of the following three qualitative methods courses: Qualitative Data Collection & Analysis (5 ECTS); Interpretive Methods (5 ECTS); Advanced Argumentation and Critical Thinking (5 ECTS)) have direct access to this track through the IR Admissions Board. Please use this application guide for your specific application procedure: https://www.rug.nl/let/how-to-apply-MA

Students with a University of Groningen Bachelor's degree in:

  • American Studies
  • Communication and Information Studies
  • European Languages and Cultures (profiles Culture & Literature and Language & Society)
  • History
  • Media Studies
  • Middle Eastern Studies
  • Minorities and Multilingualism

who have completed a Faculty Minor in International Relations will also be admitted to this Master's track on that basis.

Students from a similar field (which is not mentioned above) or those with a different educational background, for example Political Sciences, American Studies, History, European/International Law or International Economics, must submit a request for admission to the Master's degree in International Relations to the Admissions Board. The Board may decide to decline the request due to an insufficiently internationally orientated Bachelor's degree, or to admit the applicant to (parts of the pre-)Master programme. Please use this application guide for your specific application procedure: https://www.rug.nl/let/how-to-apply-MA

After you complete your application, the IR Admissions Board will assess whether your educational/academic background meets the specific programme requirements, and will consider the level and curriculum of your previous studies.

The Admissions Board will then determine whether:

language test

Additional requirements English: A VWO diploma or a subject certificate for VWO English (mark 6 or higher), minimum requirement of TOEFL iBT 90 (with a minimum of 21 on all items), or IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum of 6 on all items). Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a minimum score of 180. If you have a VWO diploma a language test is not required.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students15 August 202401 September 2024
15 January 202501 February 2025
15 August 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
15 October 202401 February 2025
01 May 202501 September 2025
15 October 202501 February 2026
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
15 October 202401 February 2025
01 May 202501 September 2025
15 October 202501 February 2026

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

Students with either a Bachelor's Degree in Social Sciences (including - but not limited to - Economics, Political Science, Development Studies, Psychology, Sociology, Social Geography), or an internationally oriented Bachelor's degree such as International Relations, Regional Studies, European/International Law, or (Modern) History can submit an application to the IR Admissions Board.

Please use this application guide for more information regarding your eligibility and your specific application procedure: http://www.rug.nl/let/how-to-apply-MA

After you complete your application, the IR Admissions Board will assess whether your educational/academic background meets the specific programme requirements, and will consider the level and curriculum of your previous studies.

The Admissions Board will then determine whether:

language test

Additional requirements English: A VWO diploma or a subject certificate for VWO English (mark 6 or higher), minimum requirement of TOEFL iBT 90 (with a minimum of 21 on all items), or IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum of 6 on all items). Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a minimum score of 180.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students15 August 202401 September 2024
15 January 202501 February 2025
15 August 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
15 October 202401 February 2025
01 May 202501 September 2025
15 October 202501 February 2026
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
15 October 202401 February 2025
01 May 202501 September 2025
15 October 202501 February 2026
Tuition fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2023-2024€ 2314full-time
non-EU/EEA2023-2024€ 16000full-time
EU/EEA2024-2025€ 2530full-time
non-EU/EEA2024-2025€ 18700full-time

Practical information for:

After your studies

Job prospects

Upon graduation students hold a (60 ECTS) MA degree in International Relations with a track in International Relations and International Organization from the University of Groningen. The Master programme in International Relations prepares its students for professions and research careers where knowledge of international-political developments and the ability to analyze and assess complex issues and to form grounded judgements are relevant.

During the programme you will complete an internship: this will provide you not only with an insight into the job-market, but also further develop your professional skills as well as expand your network.

Many graduates become policy advisors for national governments, NGOs, and international organizations in international politics. An increasing number of graduates also use their analytical skills to advise international businesses, or work as lobbyists, international executives, press officers, journalists, and researchers.

Alumni of the International Relations and International Organization track work at:

Government:

Business:

Communication:

Lobby:

Research:

Research

Research International Relations and International Organization

Research conducted within the Department of International Relations and International Organization takes mostly place within the context of one of the four other specializations: Global Governance, International Security, European Integration and International Political Economy. We kindly direct you to those sites to get an impression of the research activities of the Department. In addition, you are invited to click on the link below to access an article published by staff of the Department.

Apply nowBrochureEventsContact

Contact

  • Ask Your Question Here (please fill in this contact form, we will answer you as soon as possible.)
  • Renate Huttinga MA (Study adviser)
    Email: study.advice.irio rug.nl
  • Dieneke Zomer MA (Study Adviser)
    Email: study.advice.irio rug.nl
  • Drs. Hidde de Haas (Study Adviser)
    Email: study.advice.irio rug.nl
  • Admission Office (Contact form) (For questions on the admission requirements and application procedure)

Project Manager and Online Marketer at INTK

After finalizing her Master's in International Relations, UG alumna Elisa Ahovuori-Motta moved to Utrecht and now works as a Project Manager and Online Marketer at INTK. She talks about her work and how her studies and time at the University of Groningen contributed to her current position.

Read more

Junior Policy Officer at the Dutch House of Representatives

I work as a junior policy officer for the Dutch Labour Party (PvdA) in the House of Representatives of the Netherlands. I support different MPs in the areas of development aid and foreign affairs. I like the fact that I work on current issues that you hear in the news and get to meet interesting people with various different jobs. I also like the fact that development aid is the main focus of my work, as it was during my studies.

I chose the Master’s track in International Relations and International Organization because it offered a good combination of international relations and politics, as well as paying plenty of attention to development aid, which I am very interested in. Furthermore, the programme covers very diverse topics, and it is very useful to be able to learn another language alongside English.

During the track I learned most from my placement, which taught me how to put the theory into practice. I also learned practical skills like writing reports, which I still use in my current job.

I hope to continue working in development aid, maybe at a non-governmental organization. I also hope to work abroad for a while.

Read more

Project Assistant at the International Organization for Migration

After finalizing his Master in International Relations, RUG alumnus Sander IJmker moved to The Hague and now works as Project Assistant at the International Organization for Migration (IOM – the UN Migration Agency) country office in the Netherlands. He talks about his work and how his studies and time at the University of Groningen contributed to his current position.

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The UG still strives to show its students it is always underway to improve its educational quality and assorted academic facilities

The University of Groningen (UG) is an admirable university where to pursue your aspirations while studying. For bachelor students, rigorous trainings on theories and methodologies are completed to get into more advanced studies. For master students, emphasis is put on developing one's ability to research independently with small seminars where every student can receive one-on-one coaching.

From a prestigious reputation for its high educational quality to attentive academic training around the world, the UG still strives to show its students it is always underway to improve its educational quality and assorted academic facilities. After the completion of a studying period, students always receive an email to evaluate the classes they took and the professors in charge as well as to provide suggestions on the administrative work of their departments.

Read more about Yue Kay and ask her your question about studying in Groningen

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I managed to secure my first job even before I completed my Master's degree at the UG

Hi! My name is Rishi and I currently work as a Senior Advocacy Manager for the GSMA in London. The GSMA is the mobile industry’s trade association, and has a large department - known as Mobile for Development - that looks at how mobile technology can be used to improve socio-economic outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. Within this department, I work for the Mobile Money Programme.

My role involves using evidence and policy to advocate for the use and growth of mobile money services in Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. Mobile money is a type of financial service where people who lack a bank account to make and receive payments use a mobile phone. This is different from mobile banking, which is simply another channel that branch-based banks (or in some cases, branchless banks) used to enable access to traditional banking services.

Working for the GSMA has been an enriching experience. I have contributed to some incredible projects, published numerous articles and travelled extensively. For instance, I transited through Nairobi six times between November 2018 and February 2020. I have also had the opportunity to represent the organisation at international events, both in person and virtually. In many ways, it has been a dream job.

How long it took you to find your first job after graduating? Was there a connection between your internship and your first/current job?

I had managed to secure my first role even before I completed my Master’s degree at the UG. Before coming to the Netherlands, I spent the summer interning for the UK’s National Audit Office. In the UK, it is common for companies to use internships to identify potential graduates. Accountancy and consulting firms routinely do this. While the National Audit Office did not offer a graduate role in the same way, I was encouraged to apply for their graduate scheme in the future.

Read more about Rishi and his international career!

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University of Groningen Orange Tulip Scholarship/Talent Grant Faculty of Arts

Are you a non-EU/EEA student from Russia, India or Indonesia, starting a Master's programme at the Faculty of Arts? If so, you could qualify for the University of Groningen OTS/Talent Grant, Faculty of Arts, a partial scholarship which helps you to finance your studies.

Read more about the OTS/Talent Grant Faculty of Arts.

Research Master

Are you interested in a research oriented career? Please also check our Research Master's Programme of International Relations.


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Study associations

Clio

Clio is the study association of International Relations and International Organization at the University of Groningen.
It has around 1000 members and is one of the largest study associations in Groningen and the largest study association at a Dutch Faculty of Arts. Clio organises numerous events including parties, workshops, excursions and offers services like high-quality summaries, the internship database and various discounts around Groningen.
https://www.clio.nl/home
Read more
Study support

If you have any questions or doubts about your studies, you can always contact the study advisor. He or she knows all the ins and outs of the program and personal planning. Study advisors are impartial and everything that is discussed is treated confidentially. They can also help you find the right institutions and student desks for your problems.