One world, 8 billion people, 193 UN member 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 has a long history that involves questions of war, peace, power politics, colonialism, empire, race, and identity. IR in Europe started as an interdisciplinary project, and 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Are you interested in a research oriented career? Please also check our Research Master's Programme of International Relations.
