Master in International Relations, MAIN, is a two-year English-language Master’s degree programme that provides students with the knowledge and analytical skills to understand the international context of politics, economy, and security. As the world grows ever more inter-connected, major political decisions, influencing our everyday lives, are made not only by individual states but increasingly also internationally and by regional as well as global institutions.

Our programme helps students understand how international and European politics work and what challenges states, business, NGOs as well as individuals face in the globalised world. Within an interdisciplinary framework, students learn about the key points of contestation in world politics, major transnational issues such as climate change, but also about the functioning of the European Union and of the key global institutions. They study how international conflicts can be productively transformed into cooperation. In addition to providing students with a robust background in international and European politics, the programme emphasises the development of students’ analytical capabilities and critical thinking. Thanks to the broad scope of competences students acquire and deepen during their studies, our graduates become highly valued experts in national administrations and diplomacy, European and international institutions, but also businesses, NGOs, media, and in academia.

The study curriculum is composed of common compulsory modules in the first year of study and of individual specialisation and master thesis research in the second year. The first semester offers modules on the international system, specifically theories of international relations, global political economy, and international security. The second semester includes modules related to international “community”, specifically classes on the European integration, international institutions, and international law. The first year of studies also includes training on both quantitative and qualitative methodologies.

During the second year, students choose from a broad range of elective courses that deepen their understanding of the individual areas of international and European politics. These courses are offered by the Department of International Relations and by other Departments and Institutes of the Faculty of Social Sciences. The programme offers various thematic specialisations, but thanks to cutting-edge research carried out by our faculty, we offer particularly broad and unique expertise in fields of European studies, International Organizations, and the current global order. Throughout the second year, students work on their Master theses, under the individual supervision of one of our faculty. Students are also welcome to spend one or both semesters at one of our numerous partner universities across Europe and over the world. Some students pursue the Double Degree track offered in cooperation with the University of Konstanz.

At the end of the second year, students defend their Master thesis and take the final state exam. It is composed of compulsory oral exams in International Relations and one elective (European Union, International Institutions, International Law, or International Economic Relations).

Academic supervisor of the programme is doc. PhDr. Jan Karlas, MA., Ph.D.

Coordinator for students is Mgr. Viera Martinková, Ph.D.

Questions at the final state exam valid since the winter semester of 2022/2023

M.A. Thesis – Guidelines for  Thesis project

M.A. Thesis - Guidelines for Topic Selection

More information, including details about the entry requirements, is available at the Faculty website

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