International Relations

The Master’s degree programme in the field of International Relations aims to develop deeper understanding of international relations and world politics acquired by the student in prior Bachelor education. Special emphasis is laid on the ability to analyse acquired knowledge, assess, interpret and understand theoretical aspects of examined issues with systematic critical reflection in expert activities. Focus is directed particularly toward modern theories of international relations, security-strategic, economic, energetic, legal, and social dimensions of international relations, and the foreign policy of key actors. A progressive curriculum in research methods and social science data analysis, employing modern formalized statistic, comparative, and interpretational procedures prepares students for high-quality expert analytical work in practice and academia. Structured emphasis on the development of students’ analytical skills throughout the programme prepares students for success on the global labour market or postgraduate study among the global academic competition.

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 specify and solve complex problems of IR using appropriate theoretical, conceptual and methodologic apparatus.
• 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.
• further develop oneself in the field.

The graduates can find employment in a number of professional areas. Especially: in public administration and diplomatic services, in research and analytical institutes, in academic-educational work at universities, in the apparatus of political parties, as journalists a and in international organisations. Graduates are very likely to find a job in the corporate sphere, particularly in large multinational organisations.

Students of the field can electively participate in practical training with all types of potential employers. The department cultivates and continues to expand the existing rich offer of practical training opportunities for applicants.

The minimum character count of the Master’s thesis is 108,000 characters (60-80 pages) including footnotes, front-page, contents, index, bibliography, and annotation. 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.

Instructions for state final exams and preparation for a bachelor/diploma thesis are regulated by FSS Directive No. 5/2024 State Final Examinations, Final Theses and their Defences.

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 both at FSS MU and in the international competence. At FSS MU they are eligible to continue in the doctoral programme of International Relations and European Policy.