The Master's Degree Programme in International Relations is designed to enhance understanding of global dynamics and international relations through an interdisciplinary education that integrates different perspectives and skills. Focusing on key areas such as diplomacy, international security and Euro-Mediterranean studies, the programme offers a preparation designed to address the complex challenges of today's world with an analytical and strategic approach.
The curriculum trains experts in global dynamics and develops the critical and analytical skills needed to interpret and act in a constantly evolving scenario.
The Master's Degree Programme in International Relations is a two-year course that provides an in-depth analysis of global politics and international relations. The first year offers a common curriculum for all students, with the aim of providing a solid theoretical and practical foundation in the field of International Relations. In the second year, students can specialise by choosing a major that reflects their career aspirations: Diplomacy, Security, Euro-Mediterranean Studies or a Study Abroad Plan.
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Title
Study Plan
Accordion Group
Study Title
Major: Diplomacy
Lingua
English
Tables
Duration
1st year 2025-2026
Label Credits
CFU
Rows
Title
Comparative History of Political Systems
Description
This course analyses the historical evolution of the European political systems from the nineteenth century to the present day in a comparative perspective, focusing on the evolution of democracy and the different shapes it has adopted over time.
Credits
6
Title
Comparative Politics
Description
This course analyses in a comparative perspective the political institutions of contemporary democracies, focusing on nation-states, on the functional and institutional differences between nation-states and unions of states, and on the characteristics of non-democratic regimes.
Credits
6
Title
Research Method for Social Sciences
Description
This course introduces students to approaches, methods, and skills for research in the social and political sciences. Topics include how to define a research question; research ethics; qualitative methods (such as case studies and interviews); quantitative techniques; data analysis methods (such as survey and questionnaire design).
Credits
6
Title
Academic and Professional Communication Skills
Description
This course is an introduction to academic and professional communication, with a focus on key topics and areas of international relations, to enhance students’ skills in academic writing, public speaking, critical thinking, and virtual literacy.
Credits
6
Title
Writing and Reading Academic Text
Description
This course equips students with the skill to produce formal academic writing, with a clear and well-organized structure, and a concise, grammatically, and orthographically accurate language.
Credits
2
Title
International Economics
Description
This course examines the evolution of international economics and its political and institutional ramifications, including a selection of theoretical and empirical standpoints. It also addresses aspects of international trade and open economy macroeconomics.
Credits
6
Title
Demography and Social Challenges
Description
This course aims to provide a theoretical and methodological knowledge of demography and of the main geo-demographic trends, with a focus on the interconnections between demographic trends and political, social and economic phenomena.
Credits
6
Title
International Organizations and Human Rights
Description
This course provides an overview of international organizations in their historical development within the contemporary context. It focuses on the protection of human rights as a common value of the international community.
Credits
6
Title
Comparative Public Law
Description
This course analyses the evolution of contemporary constitutionalism on a global scale through a comparative approach. It focuses on traditional and new topics – such as legal transplants and borrowing, the backsliding of the rule of law and the democratic decay.
Credits
6
Title
Writing a Master’s Thesis
Description
This course provides students with essential skills and useful tips to write their final dissertation.
Credits
2
Duration
2nd year 2026-2027
Label Credits
CFU
Rows
Title
History of International Relations
Description
This course combines topics from the history and theory of international relations with topics from the history of international institutions, with a focus on the system of international relations since the outbreak of the cold war.
Credits
6
Title
International Political Theory
Description
This course introduces the recent debates within normative international political theory, focusing on fundamental moral claims, conflicts, and dilemmas that arise in the global context, as well as the ethical responses to them.
Credits
6
Title
Sociology of Global Politics
Description
This course develops a sociological approach to global politics by moving beyond the focus on states and international organizations, to include non-state actors and social movements. Specific attention is dedicated to local and transnational dynamics related to anthropology, society, culture, and religion.
Credits
6
Title
3 Elective Courses
Credits
18
Duration
Additional Credits
Label Credits
CFU
Rows
Title
Module Digital Tool and Undertaking Research
Description
This course offers an overview of the digital tools and skills necessary for engaging with digital information and for undertaking research, as well as for identifying and navigating the challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence.
Credits
2
Title
Other Activities
Credits
8
Title
Second Mandatory Language
Credits
6
Title
Learning Innovation Activities
Credits
2
Title
Final Thesis
Credits
16
Title
Total CFU
Credits
120
Study Title
Major: Security
Lingua
English
Tables
Duration
1st year 2025-2026
Label Credits
CFU
Rows
Title
Comparative History of Political Systems
Description
This course analyses the historical evolution of the European political systems from the nineteenth century to the present day in a comparative perspective, focusing on the evolution of democracy and the different shapes it has adopted over time.
Credits
6
Title
Comparative Politics
Description
This course analyses in a comparative perspective the political institutions of contemporary democracies, focusing on nation-states, on the functional and institutional differences between nation-states and unions of states, and on the characteristics of non-democratic regimes.
Credits
6
Title
Research Method for Social Sciences
Description
This course introduces students to approaches, methods, and skills for research in the social and political sciences. Topics include how to define a research question; research ethics; qualitative methods (such as case studies and interviews); quantitative techniques; data analysis methods (such as survey and questionnaire design).
Credits
6
Title
Academic and Professional Communication Skills
Description
This course is an introduction to academic and professional communication, with a focus on key topics and areas of international relations, to enhance students’ skills in academic writing, public speaking, critical thinking, and virtual literacy.
Credits
6
Title
Writing and Reading Academic Text
Description
This course equips students with the skill to produce formal academic writing, with a clear and well-organized structure, and a concise, grammatically, and orthographically accurate language.
Credits
2
Title
International Economics
Description
This course examines the evolution of international economics and its political and institutional ramifications, including a selection of theoretical and empirical standpoints. It also addresses aspects of international trade and open economy macroeconomics.
Credits
6
Title
Demography and Social Challenges
Description
This course aims to provide a theoretical and methodological knowledge of demography and of the main geo-demographic trends, with a focus on the interconnections between demographic trends and political, social and economic phenomena.
Credits
6
Title
International Organizations and Human Rights
Description
This course provides an overview of international organizations in their historical development within the contemporary context. It focuses on the protection of human rights as a common value of the international community.
Credits
6
Title
Comparative Public Law
Description
This course analyses the evolution of contemporary constitutionalism on a global scale through a comparative approach. It focuses on traditional and new topics – such as legal transplants and borrowing, the backsliding of the rule of law and the democratic decay.
Credits
6
Title
Writing a Master’s Thesis
Description
This course provides students with essential skills and useful tips to write their final dissertation.
Credits
2
Duration
2nd year 2026-2025
Label Credits
CFU
Rows
Title
International Security
Description
This course addresses the causes and dynamics of the most challenging international security issues, to critically assess the main instruments adopted by the States and the international community to confront a wide range of security challenges.
Credits
6
Title
Security Law and Constitutional Protection
Description
This course focuses on the ability of constitutional law to guide and limit the exercise of public authority under circumstances of threats to the security of individuals.
Credits
6
Title
Sociology of Terrorism and Political Violence
Description
This course analyses terrorism and political violence through the lenses of sociology, introducing students to ethnographic research methods and participant observation.
Credits
6
Title
3 Elective Courses
Credits
18
Duration
Additional Credits
Label Credits
CFU
Rows
Title
Module Digital Tool and Undertaking Research
Credits
2
Title
Other Activities
Credits
8
Title
Second Mandatory Language
Credits
6
Title
Final Thesis
Credits
16
Title
Total CFU
Credits
120
Study Title
Major: Euro-Mediterranean Studies
Lingua
English
Tables
Duration
I year 2025-2026
Label Credits
CFU
Rows
Title
Comparative History of Political Systems
Description
This course analyses the historical evolution of the European political systems from the nineteenth century to the present day in a comparative perspective, focusing on the evolution of democracy and the different shapes it has adopted over time.
Credits
6
Title
Comparative Politics
Description
This course analyses in a comparative perspective the political institutions of contemporary democracies, focusing on nation-states, on the functional and institutional differences between nation-states and unions of states, and on the characteristics of non-democratic regimes.
Credits
6
Title
Research Method for Social Sciences
Description
This course introduces students to approaches, methods, and skills for research in the social and political sciences. Topics include how to define a research question; research ethics; qualitative methods (such as case studies and interviews); quantitative techniques; data analysis methods (such as survey and questionnaire design).
Credits
6
Title
Academic and Professional Communication Skills
Description
This course is an introduction to academic and professional communication, with a focus on key topics and areas of international relations, to enhance students’ skills in academic writing, public speaking, critical thinking, and virtual literacy.
Credits
6
Title
Writing and Reading Academic Text
Description
This course equips students with the skill to produce formal academic writing, with a clear and well-organized structure, and a concise, grammatically, and orthographically accurate language.
Credits
2
Title
International Economics
Description
This course examines the evolution of international economics and its political and institutional ramifications, including a selection of theoretical and empirical standpoints. It also addresses aspects of international trade and open economy macroeconomics.
Credits
6
Title
Demography and Social Challenges
Description
This course aims to provide a theoretical and methodological knowledge of demography and of the main geo-demographic trends, with a focus on the interconnections between demographic trends and political, social and economic phenomena.
Credits
6
Title
International Organizations and Human Rights
Description
This course provides an overview of international organizations in their historical development within the contemporary context. It focuses on the protection of human rights as a common value of the international community.
Credits
6
Title
Comparative Public Law
Description
This course analyses the evolution of contemporary constitutionalism on a global scale through a comparative approach. It focuses on traditional and new topics – such as legal transplants and borrowing, the backsliding of the rule of law and the democratic decay.
Credits
6
Title
Writing a Master’s Thesis
Description
This course provides students with essential skills and useful tips to write their final dissertation.
Credits
2
Duration
II year 2026-2027
Label Credits
CFU
Rows
Title
Politics of the Middle East and North Africa
Description
This course offers an examination of pivotal factors in the contemporary politics of the modern Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. It brings together empirical knowledge with a critical reading of key texts examining the changing place of the region in global politics.
Credits
6
Title
History and Culture of Mediterranean Countries
Description
This course addresses the field of Mediterranean studies under different disciplinary perspectives. Particular attention is paid to Euro-Mediterranean relations, multiculturalism, the Arab uprisings, as well as economic cooperation in the region.
Credits
6
Title
EU Neighborhood Policy
Description
This course examines the EU neighbourhood policy (ENP), with particular attention to its institutional framework and its relations with EU migration and asylum policies.
Credits
6
Title
3 Elective Courses
Credits
18
Duration
Additional Activities
Label Credits
CFU
Rows
Title
Module Digital Tool and Undertaking Research
Credits
2
Title
Other Activities
Credits
8
Title
Second mandatory language
Credits
6
Title
Final Test
Credits
16
Title
Total CFU
Credits
120
Study Title
Major: Study Plan Abroad
Lingua
English
Tables
Duration
1st Year 2025-2026
Label Credits
CFU
Rows
Title
Comparative History of Political Systems
Description
This course analyses the historical evolution of the European political systems from the nineteenth century to the present day in a comparative perspective, focusing on the evolution of democracy and the different shapes it has adopted over time.
Credits
6
Title
Comparative Politics
Description
This course analyses in a comparative perspective the political institutions of contemporary democracies, focusing on nation-states, on the functional and institutional differences between nation-states and unions of states, and on the characteristics of non-democratic regimes.
Credits
6
Title
Research Method for Social Sciences
Description
This course introduces students to approaches, methods, and skills for research in the social and political sciences. Topics include how to define a research question; research ethics; qualitative methods (such as case studies and interviews); quantitative techniques; data analysis methods (such as survey and questionnaire design).
Credits
6
Title
Academic and Professional Communication Skills
Description
This course is an introduction to academic and professional communication, with a focus on key topics and areas of international relations, to enhance students’ skills in academic writing, public speaking, critical thinking, and virtual literacy.
Credits
6
Title
Writing and Reading Academic Text
Description
This course equips students with the skill to produce formal academic writing, with a clear and well-organized structure, and a concise, grammatically, and orthographically accurate language.
Credits
2
Title
International Economics
Description
This course examines the evolution of international economics and its political and institutional ramifications, including a selection of theoretical and empirical standpoints. It also addresses aspects of international trade and open economy macroeconomics.
Credits
6
Title
Demography and Social Challenges
Description
This course aims to provide a theoretical and methodological knowledge of demography and of the main geo-demographic trends, with a focus on the interconnections between demographic trends and political, social and economic phenomena.
Credits
6
Title
International Organizations and Human Rights
Description
This course provides an overview of international organizations in their historical development within the contemporary context. It focuses on the protection of human rights as a common value of the international community.
Credits
6
Title
Comparative Public Law
Description
This course analyses the evolution of contemporary constitutionalism on a global scale through a comparative approach. It focuses on traditional and new topics – such as legal transplants and borrowing, the backsliding of the rule of law and the democratic decay.
Credits
6
Title
Writing a Master’s Thesis
Description
This course provides students with essential skills and useful tips to write their final dissertation.
Credits
2
Duration
2nd Year 2026-2027
Label Credits
CFU
Rows
Title
3 Core Courses Abroad
Credits
18
Title
3 Elective Courses Abroad
Credits
18
Duration
Additional Credits
Label Credits
CFU
Rows
Title
Module Digital Tool and Undertaking Research
Credits
2
Title
Other Activities
Credits
8
Title
Second Mandatory Language
Credits
6
Title
Final Test
Credits
16
Title
Total CFU
Credits
120
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Content
Admission procedures and requirements
Admission to the Degree Course in International Relations represents a unique opportunity to join an academic environment of excellence.
Luiss Guido Carli carefully selects its students, guaranteeing high quality services and the best conditions to facilitate their university journey towards personal and professional growth. Our University puts its students at the centre, offering constant support and personalised attention.
Find out all the information you need to take the next admission test and start on your path to academic and professional success.
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International experiences and opportunities
The International Development Office offers a number of programmes for students, which can be accessed depending on the current or future degree course.
The Luiss Master's Degree in International Relations prepares graduates for careers in diplomacy, as international security experts in the public and private sectors, and in the management of Euro-Mediterranean issues. Moreover, the programme responds to the growing demand for highly qualified professionals capable of addressing traditional and emerging challenges in the diplomatic sector and international organisations.
Graduates of the programme will be able to pursue careers in international and European organisations, as specialists in international and European policy, as reporters on international affairs, as journalists, as private consultants or as consultants to the armed forces.
Graduates and employability
The employment rate of Luiss graduates 1 year after graduation is 96%.
The average waiting time between graduation and first job is 1 month. 64% of employed graduates already have an offer before graduating.
10% work abroad.
Luiss has active partnerships with over 500 companies, public and private institutions, and multinationals to offer undergraduates and recent graduates concrete job opportunities.
3,350 placements between internships and jobs in 2023.
2,522 individual Career Guidance meetings.
80 events including 4 Career Days and 336 Employers involved.
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Tuition fees, scholarships and benefits
The single annual fee envisaged for enrolment in the Master‘s Degree Course in International Relations is €13,600.00 (divided into 3 instalments*) and regional tax.
Luiss offers scholarships and partial or total exemptions from university fees, also thanks to the support of public and private partners. Both male and female students have access to concrete support during their academic career. In addition, the University has entered into agreements with Italian banking institutions to offer flexible financing without collateral.
Luiss welcomes you to a dynamic and stimulating environment with a wide range of cultural, sporting and leisure activities. Live a unique experience, immersed in an international community. Find out more by clicking on the cards.
Cards
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Luiss Facilities
Content
With many facilities across in Rome and Milan, Luiss stands out for its unique architectural spaces and large green study areas.
AS Luiss encourages an active lifestyle by offering sports activities such as yoga and tennis, as well as the possibility of using agreements with gyms and sports centres near the Luiss premises.
The Luiss model promotes the development of students not only through a solid academic education, but also through activities aimed at personal improvement and the development of transversal skills. The Luiss student development offer proposes learning by doing and innovative learning experiences to prepare versatile students ready for the needs of the labour market.
AS Luiss encourages an active lifestyle by offering sports activities such as yoga and tennis, as well as the possibility of using agreements with gyms and sports centres near the Luiss premises.
The Luiss model promotes the development of students not only through a solid academic education, but also through activities aimed at personal improvement and the development of transversal skills. The Luiss student development offer proposes learning by doing and innovative learning experiences to prepare versatile students ready for the needs of the labour market.
Luiss Welcome Desk: support for international students on legal and health issues and orientation in the Italian context.
Title
Experience Luiss
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Luiss welcomes you to a dynamic and stimulating environment with a wide range of cultural, sporting and leisure activities. Live a unique experience, immersed in an international community. Find out more by clicking on the cards.
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Master’s Degree in International Relations | Luiss
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Master’s Degree in International Relations: excellence training for a career in international and diplomatic relations.
