Master’s Programme in International Relations and Organisations

Master’s Degree Programme in International Relations and Organisations (IRO)

Degree Class: LM-52 (International Relations)

Duration: 2 years

Credits: 120 ECTS

Admission: Open access

Chair of the Master’s Programme: Prof. Francesca GRAZIANI

Program Overview

The Master’s Degree Programme in International Relations and Organisations (IRO) provides a comprehensive, interdisciplinary education focused on the evolving dynamics of intergovernmental and transnational relations.

The Master’s Degree Programme is meticulously designed to equip students with a sophisticated understanding of contemporary political, legal, economic, and social phenomena on a global scale. The first year provides a rigorous foundation in the core disciplines of international relations. During the second year, students may customise their academic path by choosing from specialised elective courses in legal, economic, or socio-political tracks, effectively tailoring their expertise to their specific professional aspirations.

Teaching Methodology

Moving towards a model beyond traditional lecture-based instruction, the Master’s Degree Programme prioritises experiential and active learning through interactive seminars, international workshops, and simulations of global diplomatic processes. Students engage directly in the drafting of official policy documents and reports, benefiting from a curriculum enriched by guest lectures delivered by visiting professors and high-level practitioners from the diplomatic, institutional, and NGO sectors.
The Master’s Degree Programme’s structure emphasises collaborative team-working to cultivate independent judgement, advanced presentation skills, and public speaking proficiency. These curricular and extra-curricular initiatives are specifically engineered to sharpen analytical abilities and foster independent critical assessment within complex global scenarios.

Key Educational Objectives

The Master’s Degree Programme is dedicated to forming high-level professionals capable of navigating and managing the intricacies of the global landscape. The core educational objectives include:

Advanced Analysis of Global Processes: conducting a critical examination of the evolution of international relations through integrated historical, political, legal, and economic theoretical frameworks.
Expertise in International, EU, and Comparative Law: analysing the legal architecture of universal and regional organizations and their strategic impact on global governance through the study of International Law, European Union Law, and Comparative Law.
Strategic Management of International Relations: developing advanced analytical tools to address challenges at both bilateral and multilateral levels, ensuring rigorous compliance with legal standards while promoting intergovernmental cooperation and sustainable development rooted in respect for manifold socio-cultural traditions.
Critical Evaluation of Global Economic Paradigms: assessing the advanced macro- and microeconomic models that define modern globalised markets, with a focus on the systemic interplay between international trade and global financial architectures.
Mastery of Multidisciplinary Research Methodologies: utilising advanced investigative instruments and analytical methods to ensure high-level professional integration into the global public and private sectors.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

JOIN US & ENROLMENT

ERASMUS STUDENTS (incoming)

Class schedule

Exams

Graduation sessions

Courses offered in a.y. 2025/26

Courses offered in a.y. 2024/25

Language Pathway - “Rosetta Stone” Platforme

Quality Assurance (QA)

Joint Students-Teachers Commission

Stakeholder Advisory Board

LEARNING OUTCOMES BY DISCIPLINARY AREA

The Master’s Programme in International Relations and Organisations (IRO) is designed to train specialists capable of investigating and critically analysing the complexities of contemporary international and transnational relations. The Master’s Programme adopts a rigorous multidisciplinary approach, combining legal aspects with historical, economic, and political-strategic perspectives.

Core structure

The Master’s Programme is built upon a solid foundation of core compulsory courses specifically designed for the LM-52 class: Law (International Law, European Union External Action, and Comparative Private Law); History (Contemporary History and the History and Analysis of International Relations); Economics (International Political Economy and Global Markets); Political Science (International Political Relations and Geopolitics); Languages (Advanced English for International Relations and Specialist Communication, with the option to study a second language such as French, Spanish, or Arabic. This core is complemented by a tailored selection of elective subjects in law, economics, politics, and sociology, ensuring a flexible and interdisciplinary education aligned with individual professional aspirations.

Legal Perspective – The Master’s Programme focuses on the following legal learning objectives:

Critically evaluating the evolution and functioning of International Law, with an emphasis on its application in both diplomatic relations and conflict scenarios.
Analysing the European Union’s External Action, specifically regarding international trade, the protection of human rights, and the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP).
Applying a comparative legal methodology to the study of transnational commercial and economic relations.

Historical Perspective – Learning objectives within the historical area include:

Synthesising past dynamics to understand their structural impact on the modern international system.
Acquiring advanced historiographical skills to develop autonomous historical periodisations of 20th-centuryglobal history.
Investigating the systemic evolution of the international order, from the Cold War to the current multipolar landscape, and interpreting contemporary global crises by tracing their deep historical roots.

Economic Perspective – In the economic field, the Master’s Programme aims to achieve proficiency in:

Mastering the complexities of international economics to analyse global financial and trade dynamics.
Acquiring an analytical command of economic theories within the context of international economic diplomacy.
Developing critical assessment skills regarding global economic events and their impact on international and national policy-making.

Political and Geopolitical Perspective - The Master’s Programme focuses on:

Providing a solid theoretical and practical framework for analysing interstate relations, international organisations, and transnational actors.
Mastering the discipline of Geopolitics, analysed through the interplay of physical geography, human factors, and strategic political action.
Developing a versatile methodology to address international political-legal issues using the analytical instruments proper to the political sciences.

International Mobility and Professional Development

To bridge academic study with professional practice, students are strongly encouraged and supported in participating in international mobility programmes, such as Erasmus+ for Study and Traineeship. The Programme actively promotes opportunities for internships and stages within international organisations, EU institutions, NGOs, and public or private entities with a global focus. Through an active learning approach – including simulations and case-study analysis – students learn to apply their multidisciplinary skills in real-world professional environments, significantly enhancing their global employability and readiness for the international labour market.

Career Prospects and Future Pathways

The primary career prospects for graduates of the Master’s Degree Programme in International Relations and Organisations (IRO) include:

- International Organisations: The United Nations and its specialised agencies; the World Trade Organization (WTO).

European and Regional Organisations: The European Union and its agencies; the Council of Europe
Public Administration and Diplomacy: The diplomatic service; public administrations (with specific reference to departments managing international relations); regional and local administrations, particularly within external relations and communication sectors.
Political and Social Sector: Political careers; cultural mediation; non-governmental organisations (NGOs), non-profit organisations, and the third sector at international, European, national, and local levels.
Private Sector and Consulting: National and multinational companies; public and private companies involved in international activities or internationalisation; consulting firms specializing in public relations and corporate communications.
Research and Analysis: National and international study and research centres (think-tanks).

The Master’s Degree Programme also provides a solid foundation for further advanced studies (such as PhDs or Level II Master's Programmes). These pathways lead to professional roles requiring high-level expertise, including research-based positions.

ORIENTATION AND TUTORING COMMISSION

The Orientation and Tutoring Commission represents a central element of the Mentoring Programme established by the Department of Political Science. It serves as a constant point of reference for all students, ensuring continuous assistance throughout the university experience. The Commission provides the necessary guidance and resources for prospective candidates, currently enrolled students, and those approaching the completion of their degree.

Composition of the Committee: The Commission is led by the Head of Quality Assurance for Teaching, Prof. Francesca CANALE CAMA, working alongside a dedicated team of Course tutors. This body acts as a formal link between the student community and the Department, providing administrative clarity and academic expertise.

Student Support Services and Objectives: The Commission provides specialised assistance tailored to the different stages of the academic cycle:

Incoming Support (Orientation): For prospective students, the Commission provides detailed information regarding admission requirements, the structure of the degree programme, and its multidisciplinary curriculum. The goal is to ensure that every candidate can make an informed and confident choice when joining the IRO community.
Ongoing Support (Tutoring): This phase represents the core of the Commission’s activity. Support is provided to enrolled students for the management of the academic workload, the optimisation of study methods, and the resolution of challenges related to examinations or didactic requirements. Technical and academic advice is available for the selection of elective subjects aligned with professional goals, alongside assistance in resolving practical issues to ensure a consistent and successful path towards graduation.
Outgoing Support (Career & Thesis Guidance): For students approaching the conclusion of their studies, the Commission offers essential support during the final stages of thesis preparation. Furthermore, it facilitates the transition to postgraduate life by providing information on advanced study pathways and professional opportunities, ensuring that the competencies acquired during the Master’s degree are effectively utilised.

Meeting Schedule: Regular sessions are held via the Microsoft Teams platform. Participation or requests for additional meetings must be booked via email at least 24 hours in advance.

The schedule is available here:

13.01.2026 - 12.00 p.m. Microsoft Teams
10.02.2026 - 12.00 p.m. Microsoft Teams
10.03.2026 - 12.00 p.m. Microsoft Teams
14.04.2026 - 12.00 p.m. Microsoft Teams
12.05.2026 - 12.00 p.m. Microsoft Teams
09.06.2026 - 12.00 p.m. Microsoft Teams
07.07.2026 - 12.00 p.m. Microsoft Teams

For specific matters, a dedicated Counselling Desk is managed by Prof. Valerio Giannattasio (Questo indirizzo email è protetto dagli spambots. È necessario abilitare JavaScript per vederlo.), who remains available for individual consultations.