In an era of global uncertainty, understanding the complexities of international security has never been more crucial. The Master's track in International Security at the University of Groningen equips you with the analytical tools to critically engage with pressing security challenges. From traditional military conflicts to emerging concerns like environmental security, cyber threats, and societal resilience, this programme offers a broad and interdisciplinary perspective. You will explore thes
What makes this programme unique?
The University of Groningen is globally recognised for its creative
and unconventional approach to international security. Unlike
traditional security studies, which often focus on state-centric or
policy-driven perspectives, our programme fosters a critical and
philosophical approach to security issues. We move beyond "how to
solve" specific security challenges and instead encourage students
to question underlying assumptions, power structures, and the
broader implications of security policies. Our faculty consists of
leading scholars engaged in cutting-edge research on war, conflict,
and security from both theoretical and applied perspectives,
ensuring that students are exposed to a diverse range of insights
and methodologies.
Additionally, students have the opportunity to engage with pressing contemporary issues, such as the militarisation of the EU, the war in Ukraine, the role of NATO, and the rise of populism. This allows for an intellectually stimulating environment where students can refine their critical thinking skills and develop expertise in areas they are passionate about.
Programme highlightsAs part of the University of Groningen, you'll study in an international environment that values diversity and intellectual curiosity. Supported by world-class faculty and cutting-edge research, you'll gain the skills and perspectives needed to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.
Embark on your journey with the IR tracks and discover how a broad, reflective, and interdisciplinary approach to international relations can open doors to many opportunities.
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 (at least one of which in International Security) and you complete the specialization course Capita International Security.
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Advanced Theory and Research Practice in International Relations (5 EC) | ||||
| Capita International Security (5 EC) | ||||
| Research Seminar 1 (10 EC) Example:
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| Research Seminar 2 (10 EC) Example:
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| Master's Thesis International Security (20 EC) | ||||
| Master's Placement (10 EC, optional) | ||||
| Professionalization electives (10 EC, optional) Example: - Career Seminar Working in and on Governance; - Project Proposal Writing | ||||
| 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. |
| Specific requirements | More 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, Cultures and Politics (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:
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 |
Language requirement for English: You must have completed this at VWO level (mark 6 or higher) or obtained one of the following English certificates:
TOEFL iBT tests taken after 21 January 2026 will use TOEFL's new 1 - 6 scoring system. |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| 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 programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| American Studies | All Research universities |
Via a pre-master More information:with an IRIO pre-master |
| History, History (part-time) | All Research universities |
Via a pre-master More information:with an IRIO pre-master |
| Political Science | All Research universities |
Via a pre-master More information:with an IRIO pre-master |
| International and European Law | All Research universities |
Via a pre-master More information:with an IRIO pre-master |
| International Relations and International Organization | All Research universities | No additional requirements |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| International Business | University of Groningen |
Via a pre-master More information:with an IRIO pre-master |
| Sociology | University of Groningen |
Via a pre-master More information:with an IRIO pre-master |
| European Languages, Cultures and Politics | University 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 |
| American Studies | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:with an IRIO faculty minor or pre-master |
| Media Studies | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:with an IRIO faculty minor or pre-master |
| Frisian Language and Culture | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:with an IRIO faculty minor or pre-master |
| History | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:with an IRIO faculty minor or pre-master |
| Middle Eastern Studies | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:with an IRIO faculty minor or pre-master |
| Communication and Information Studies | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:with an IRIO faculty minor or pre-master |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements Additional requirements:
with a specialization International Relations and International Law, and a number of required courses (see below) |
| Psychologie (NL) | University of Groningen |
Via a pre-master More information:with an IRIO pre-master |
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 15 January 2027 | 01 February 2027 |
| 15 August 2027 | 01 September 2027 | |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 |
| 15 October 2027 | 01 February 2028 | |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 |
| 15 October 2027 | 01 February 2028 |
| Specific requirements | More 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: 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 |
Language requirement for English: You must have completed this at VWO level (mark 6 or higher) or obtained one of the following English certificates:
TOEFL iBT tests taken after 21 January 2026 will use TOEFL's new 1 - 6 scoring system. |
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 15 January 2027 | 01 February 2027 |
| 15 August 2027 | 01 September 2027 | |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 |
| 15 October 2027 | 01 February 2028 | |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 |
| 15 October 2027 | 01 February 2028 |
Upon graduation students hold a (60 ECTS) MA degree in International Relations with a track in International Security from the University of Groningen. Graduates of this programme are well-prepared for careers in international organisations, government agencies, NGOs, think tanks, and academia.
Many find positions in diplomacy, defence policy, intelligence analysis, humanitarian organisations, and international institutions such as NATO, the United Nations, and the European Union. The strong emphasis on critical thinking, analytical skills, and interdisciplinary research ensures that graduates are equipped to navigate complex security landscapes and contribute meaningfully to global discussions on war, peace, and stability.
The chairgroup International Security Studies (ISS) is part of the Department of IRIO. The six permanent staff members and over 10 PhD students all contribute to the Faculty's research theme Conflict Studies. This is done at various levels of abstraction, focusing on various issue-areas and on various political contexts.
At the theoretical level the chairgroup aims to contribute to a
better understanding of conceptualizations of security in time and
space. How have academic debates in security studies evolved and
how do they relate to security policies? This implies a focus on
securitization theory, regional security complex theory, strategic
studies, critical security studies and peace research.
In terms of issue-areas the group presently studies developments in
military & defence policies, terrorism, peace making, peace
building & peace keeping - including security sector reform -,
societal security in relation to social identities and state
formation, and finally securitization in energy, food, and health
policies.
In terms of political contexts, the group focuses on institutional
and regional settings in which security policies are shaped and
implemented. Developments in Intergovernmental Organizations are
studied - notably, in the European Union, NATO and the United
Nations Security Council, and also in Non-Governmental
Organizations in close cooperation with the research projects
related to the Network on Humanitarian Action. The chairgroup has
regional expertise about security politics in Europe (including
Turkey), the Middle East, parts of Sub-Sahara Africa, and
China.
The chairgroup brings much of its research interests together in the specialization International Security of the MA degree program IRIO.
Hi! My name is Stefano, I am 28 years old and I currently work as a Junior Business Continuity Manager, with over three years of experience in corporate security and crisis management. I have two master's degrees, one in International Security from the University of Groningen and one in Cybersecurity Governance at Leiden University.
Hi, I am Karol! I decided to study International Relations, with a focus on International Security, due to the significant changes that we have been facing nowadays in terms of climate change and the vulnerability that it creates, which is a significant security threat.
One of the main reasons for choosing the University of Groningen is its world-ranking position, the university being research-led, and the option to specialize in environmental security. Further, I was keen on studying in a student-centred city and I stand by my decision since the university's academic and student-life offer is excellent.
In the next five years, I would like to work for an international organization.
Hi! My name is Hester and I have been working as an international adviser at The Hague police unit since December 2020. I am involved in non-operational international cooperation, and this mainly concerns the exchange of knowledge with foreign countries on certain crime themes. So I don't work on ongoing operational police cases.
What kind of student were you?
I really enjoyed student life, I always had a part-time job and I
did committee work for the study association Commotie during my
Bachelor’s studies: Communication and Information Studies. I
was a part of the rowing club Gyas, where I became chairman of the
External Contacts committee. During exam periods, but also during
lecture weeks, I could often be found in the University
Library.
Did you have a particular area of interest, a
specialization if you like, during your studies?
During my BA, I studied for a semester abroad in Geneseo, New York
State. There I became more interested in the International
Relations and International Organization (IRIO) course. I then
chose the pre-master’s programme IRIO, and then naturally did
the Master’s IRIO.
During lectures, I noticed that the topic of international security interested me the most. Initially, I followed the broad International Relations programme, but within this programme, I chose the 'International Security' specialization by following specific courses and as a topic for my thesis dissertation. After I completed my thesis research on 'Government communication about terrorism', I did an internship with the police. During my internship, it became absolutely clear that I was very interested in the topic of international security.
As the organizational culture at the Scottish Parliament is very informal overall, I was given a very reasonable deal of responsibility which allowed me to experience the workings of the parliament first-hand. As such, I learned much about the day-to-day workings of a MSP's (Member of Scottish Parliament) office and the politics and alliances within the parliament itself – on a local as well as on an international level.
Are you interested in a research oriented career? Please also check our Research Master's Programme of International Relations.
