Joint Master Programme in International Relations: Europe from the Visegrad Perspective

This joint Master’s degree programme in international relations is carried out within the framework of the VNDREAM network, which consists of: Jagiellonian University in Kraków (Poland), Masaryk University (Czech Republic), University of Pecs (Hungary) and Matej Bel University in Banska Bystrica (Slovakia).This joint Master’s programme offers a unique opportunity to study international relations, European politics, economy, society & culture from the perspective of the Visegrad region. Experienced faculty of the leading universities from the Visegrad region as well as visiting professors and guest lecturers from renowned international academic and diplomatic institutions provide insightful and inspiring instruction about major developments in contemporary economics, international relations, security, politics and culture in light of the European integration processes seen from the standpoint of the Visegrad region.

After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:

• creatively use modern theories of international relations in expert analysis
• based on theory, interpret current issues in world politics
• independently and creatively specify and solve complex problems of IR using appropriate theoretical, conceptual and methodological apparatus of the field
• analyse key dimensions of international relations (security, economic, energetic, legal, and societal)
• apply research methodology in the realm of international relations in expert activities both in public and corporate spheres
• orient themselves in the issues of multilevel governance, its evolution and role

Upon the completion of this programme graduates will demonstrate high competence in both history and culture of the Visegrad and the wider Central Europe region as background for better understanding of contemporary international relations as exemplified in the impact of European integration. More specifically they will acquire knowledge necessary to better understand the complex nature of the interplay between global and regional phenomena affecting the functioning of international organisations, business and civil society. Graduates will be prepared to work in international organisations, diplomatic service, public administration, mass media and civil society organisations. If interested in pursuing an academic career, graduates will acquire the analytical ability to carry out individual research as prospective doctoral students.

Students of the field can electively participate in practical training with all types of potential employers.

The program is concluded with a state exam consisting of final thesis defense and following oral examination. All four institutions delegate their representatives to the examination committee.

The character of the Master’s thesis is that of an independent analytical text on the selected issue.

Students can work both already published works as well as primary data accessible for secondary analysis. They should prove they are able to work critically with academic texts and apply concepts and international relations theories therein to find relevant answers to their research question. The objective of Master’s thesis is particularly to improve students’ abilities to employ methods of data collection and analysis taught in the programme in expert activities. Generating new findings in the field is welcomed but is not a passing requirement in Master’s thesis.

Minimum length of MA thesis is 126 000 characters including spaces.This is not including bibliographies, appendices, etc.

Areas of Questions for the Oral Examination:

International Relations since 1945 and Theory of International Relations;

Current Developments in International Public Law;

Introduction to Governance and Multilevel Politics;

Making of Europe (European system of states since 1648);

Transformation of Central and Eastern Europe;

V4 in transition – focusing on the question of Hungarian democracy;

Political Culture in CEECs – with a special focus on Hungary;

Ecopolicy and Sustainable Development;

International Political Economy – the V4 States and the Economic Transformation;

Economic Integration of Europe;

Europe and Internal/External Borders;

Geopolitics of V4 Countries;

Political System of Visegrad Countries;

The most promising graduates of the Master’s study programme of international relations will be ready to start postgraduate study (after meeting admission requirements) in the field or in related disciplines in the Czech republic, other V4 countries as well as abroad in general.