Master in International Relations

Master in International Relations is one of 4 English-taught International Relations programmes at master’s level in the register, offered by 3 institutions. 1 of them list an annual fee for students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland. 1 is at a public university, where EU, EEA and Swiss students pay no tuition within the standard duration plus two semesters.

Webster Vienna Private University runs this MA in International Relations and Security Studies in Vienna. It is a private university, so it sets its own fees. The programme is taught in English and leads to a Master of Arts after 90 ECTS.

What you study

The curriculum has four modules. Core Competencies (37.5 ECTS) is required: Introduction to International Relations and Security Studies, Research Methods and Perspectives, Strategic and Political Communication, Theories of International Relations, and Advanced Research Methods. If your undergraduate degree was in International Relations, you can swap the introduction course for one from another module.

You then pick a Specialization (22.5 ECTS) and take three courses from one cluster. Diplomacy and Governance includes International Law, International Organizations, and War and Diplomacy. Security and Conflict includes International Security, Cyber Security and Cyber Defense, and Regional Security and Conflicts. Economy and Technology includes International Political Economy, a Professional Seminar on Artificial Intelligence and the Dynamics of Innovation, and Energy Security.

Electives (15 ECTS) come from a larger pool. Examples include Non-Governmental Organizations, Comparative Politics, Field Work, US Foreign Policy, Politics of Development, EU Foreign Policy, The European Union and Asia Pacific, Middle East Area Studies, Western European Area Studies, Asian Area Studies, Energy and Environmental Security, Monetary Relations, Geoeconomics, International Law and Politics of Outer Space, Terrorism in World Politics, and an Internship. You can also take courses from the specialization you did not choose, or approved courses from other programmes such as Marketing, Organizational Behavior, and Basic Finance for Managers.

The programme ends with a Master Thesis (15 ECTS).

How the programme is organised

It is a full-time degree of 1.5 years, three semesters, though most students take four. Each semester has 12 course weeks. Full-time students usually carry four courses per semester. A standard course means 36 hours in class plus about 151.5 hours of self-learning. Teaching formats include interactive lectures, seminars, practical training, and the thesis. Internships and study abroad are encouraged but not required. The maximum intake is 25 students per year, with entry points at the start of the winter and summer semesters.

Who it suits

The programme prepares students for leadership and service in diplomatic, professional, and academic communities. It is particularly suited to people seeking careers or advancement in Vienna-based international organisations such as the IAEA, UNOV, UNIDO, CTBTO, and the World Bank. It is also recommended for students planning a doctoral programme or academic career. Students come from many nations and examine politics, humanitarian issues, and the international political economy.

Admission, language and next steps

Admission follows the general requirements for graduate programmes at Webster Vienna. Department faculty interview all incoming candidates. To graduate, you must complete all modules (90 ECTS) with a grade of B- or better, including 75 ECTS in residence and the master thesis. The language of study is English. Applications go directly to the institution; the university's own page gives the application period. The degree is accredited by AQ Austria under the Private Universities Act, and the programme is subject to approval by AQ Austria. U.S.-accredited degrees conferred by Webster University in St. Louis may vary slightly, so check with an advisor.

The Master of Arts in International Relations program at WVPU prepares students for leadership and service in the international diplomatic, professional and academic communities. Led by a team of internationally recognized researchers, lecturers and scholar-practitioners, students will examine great powers politics, humanitarian issues and the dynamics of the international political economy, learning how to employ competing theories, methods and approaches.

Program accredited in the United States and in Austria

There is no central application portal in Austria: you apply to the institution, here Webster Vienna Private University. Private institutions set their own application periods, admission procedures and fees, so read them on the programme page. Entry requirements and language tests are set by the institution, so start from the official programme page. Our guides cover tuition fees, the student residence permit and housing.