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.
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.
The Master's degree programme International Relations is 60 ECTS. During your first semester, you take the module Advanced Theory of 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 a Capita IRIO. During your second semester, you will write a Master Thesis and you will do a Placemen
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.
Periods | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
Advanced Theory of International Relations (5 EC) | ||||
Research Seminar 1 (10 EC) | ||||
Research Seminar 2 (10 EC) | ||||
Capita IRIO (5 EC) | ||||
Master's Placement (10 EC) | ||||
Master's thesis IRIO (20 EC) |
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 |
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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. |
Master's Honours Programme (honours program) The Master's Honours Programme is developed especially for students who want to get more from their studies. It is a programme worth 15 ECTS that is followed in addition to the standard Master's programme. It is a one-year interdisciplinary programme that is designed to introduce students to various aspects of leadership. |
Study programme | Organization | Transition |
---|---|---|
International Relations and International Organization | University of Groningen | No additional requirements |
Study programme | Organization | Transition |
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International Relations and International Organization | All Research universities | No additional requirements |
Specific requirements | More information |
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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. |
previous education |
University of Groningen: Students with a University of Groningen Bachelor's degree in European Languages and Cultures (Profile Politics and Society) who started in 2016 or later have direct access through the IR Admissions Board. Please use this application guide for your specific application procedure: http://www.rug.nl/let/how-to-apply-MA For students with a University of Groningen Bachelor's degree in American Studies, Communication and Information Studies, History, International and European Law, International Business, Media Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, Minorities and Multilingualism, Psychology and Sociology a standard Pre-Master programme applies. Please use this application guide for your specific application procedure: http://www.rug.nl/let/how-to-apply-MA Other universities and degree programmes: 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:
|
Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
---|---|---|
Dutch students | 15 August 2022 | 01 September 2022 |
15 January 2023 | 01 February 2023 | |
15 August 2023 | 01 September 2023 | |
EU/EEA students | 15 October 2022 | 01 February 2023 |
01 May 2023 | 01 September 2023 | |
15 October 2023 | 01 February 2024 | |
non-EU/EEA students | 15 October 2022 | 01 February 2023 |
01 May 2023 | 01 September 2023 | |
15 October 2023 | 01 February 2024 |
Specific requirements | More information |
---|---|
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. |
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:
|
Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
---|---|---|
Dutch students | 15 August 2022 | 01 September 2022 |
15 January 2023 | 01 February 2023 | |
15 August 2023 | 01 September 2023 | |
EU/EEA students | 15 October 2022 | 01 February 2023 |
01 May 2023 | 01 September 2023 | |
15 October 2023 | 01 February 2024 | |
non-EU/EEA students | 15 October 2022 | 01 February 2023 |
01 May 2023 | 01 September 2023 | |
15 October 2023 | 01 February 2024 |
Nationality | Year | Fee | Programme form |
---|---|---|---|
EU/EEA | 2022-2023 | € 2209 | full-time |
non-EU/EEA | 2022-2023 | € 14570 | full-time |
Practical information for:
The Master programme in International Relations prepares its students for professions and research careers where knowledge of international-political developments and the ability to analyse and assess complex issues and to form grounded judgements are relevant.
Many graduates become policy advisors for national governments, NGOs, and international organisations in international politics. An increasing number of graduates also use their analytical skills to advise international businesses. Research, media and communication are also prospective fields of employment.
Alumni of the International Relations and International Organization track work at:
Government:
Business:
Communication:
Lobby:
Research:
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.
Link: https://www.rug.nl/let/studeren-bij-ons/irio/research-article-irio-2012.pdf
For more information about the IR department, please visit: https://www.rug.nl/let/onze-faculteit/organisatie/vakgebieden/irio/staff
Read moreJunior 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 moreProject 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.
Read moreThe 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
Read moreProject 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 moreInternship at the Centre for European Security Studies Groningen (CESS)
The experience of doing a placement demonstrated my ability to adapt to different demands and environments, and produce quality output even when under pressure. In addition to this, I was able to learn more about the intellectual element of CESS itself – namely Security Sector Reform (SSR). I had no prior knowledge of this, but having attended a workshop and seminar in Zagreb (Croatia) and Tbilisi (Georgia) respectively, I believe I have a better understanding of the importance of SSR to newly emerging, post-conflict and developing countries.
By also being able to visit these countries, I was further inundated with some of the security challenges faced by the surrounding regions and what measures were being taken to alleviate the issues. The internship allowed me to explore a different strand of an area of familiarity (Burundi), ultimately assisting my thesis-writing process. On a side note, during the internship itself, a letter I submitted to The Economist (on what constituted a “state”, whilst mentioning Burundi) was published on their website and in that week’s print edition.
Without a doubt, I enjoyed traveling abroad to two different countries and representing CESS at two High-Level events. It gave me an unparalleled insight into the lifestyle of a “high-flyer”, proven by my having to work on the train to Schiphol and even on the aircraft itself! But aside from the trips, I enjoyed working as part of an accepted member of a close-knit group of people. This allowed me to contribute constructively to the teams ideas and objectives. Read more
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.
Are you interested in a research oriented career? Please also check our Research Master's Programme of International Relations.
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.
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