Master's Degree Programme in
Comparative International Relations

Summary
Academic year 2024/2025

Degree-seeking students: apply

Level of qualification

Master's Degree Programme

Ministerial degree code

LM-52 (International Relations)

Language

Italian and English

Attendance

Open

Where

Department of Linguistics and Comparative Cultural Studies, Palazzo Cosulich, Dorsoduro 1405, 30123 Venice
For further information please contact the Linguistic Campus, campus.linguistico@unive.it

Head of studies

Prof. Duccio Basosi, teaching comitee coordinator (duccio.basosi@unive.it)

Regulations

The teaching regulations of the study course depend on the following organisational aspects: educational goals, access methods, study plan, exams, final exam, job opportunities, etc. Throughout their university career, students must refer to the teaching regulations enforced from their matriculation.


Access to the programme

Unlimited entry subject to assessment of minimum requirements.
Quotas for non-EU students residing abroad: 20 places, among which 1 is reserved for Chinese students residing in China, according to the Marco Polo Programme.

Admission requirements

Admission onto the Master’s Degree programme in Comparative International Relations Relazioni requires:

  • specific curricula requirements, matured with the obtainment of a definite number of credits in certain disciplinary fields;
  • an adequate personal preparation;
  • understanding of English language at level B2 (the list of certifications and cases of exemption are available on the webpage Language requirements). 

Admission with international qualification

Applicants with international qualification must have obtained a bachelor’s degree that is the result of at least 3 years of study. The preliminary evaluation of the qualification is mandatory. Procedures and deadlines are available on the dedicated online platform.

International qualification will be evaluated by the designated teaching committee after the pre-evaluation procedure carried out on the online platform.


Course overview

The program offers students a solid preparation in the fields of international economics, history and politics of international relations, international law and English language, and the possibility to choose among five different curricula to specialize in  either in the study of specific geographical area studies (Americas, Eastern Asia, Eastern Europe, Mediterranean), insitutions (European Union Studies, entirely in English)  or in the themes of globalization and climate change (Global Studies, entirely in English).

Graduates have an advanced knowledge of the international system as a whole from the juridical, economic, historical and political standpoints. They have in-depth knowledge of the characteristics of specific geographic areas or specific global phenomena. They are able to fluently communicate contents related to such topics in English and in a second language. They are able to elaborate coherent strategies aimed at solving problems at the international scale.

Curricula

  • Americas
  • East Asia
  • Eastern Europe
  • European Union Studies (fully taught in English)
  • Global studies (fully taught in English)

Examination assessment and graduation

The knowledge gained by students progress will be assessed through written and oral exams during their entire career.

The final exam consists of a written thesis of around 220.000 characters (eiother in Italian with an abstract in English or in English with an abstract in Italian). The thesis is an original research on a theme in the field of international relations, agreed together with a supervisor. must possess characteristics of originality, and be based on exhaustive documentation and scholarly approach. It will be discussed with a committee of university professors and experts. It is defended before a committee in the final graduation exam.

The thesis must be original and should focus on specific aspects of international relations, area studies or global studies. Candidates must show critical capacity in interpretative analysis, mustdisplay demonstrate in-depth understanding of the appropriate theoretical references, ability in retrieving and processing sources, as well as argumentative ability in writing and in exposing presenting the results of their work to the graduation committee

Access to further studies

Professional Master’s Programmes and PhD programmes.


Occupational profiles

After completion of the program, students can start careers in international organizations, public administrations, NGOs and private companies, as well as in institutes and think tanks active in research and communication about international realities or in the ideation and monitoring of international cooperation programs. The program prepares students for ministerial competitions for diplomatic service and for further continuation of their studies in a research doctorate.