Degree
Master of Arts
Semester fee
78
Euro
Start of the program
Winter semester
Standard length of the program
4
Semester
Place of study
Eichstätt; Specialization “European Studies”: Fribourg (Switzerland)
Part-time studies possible
No
Language of instruction
English & German
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The Master’s degree program in International Relations at the KU is interdisciplinary, international, flexible, successful and intercultural. The purpose of this program is to scientifically and thoroughly examine international politics as well as advanced topics in the fields of international law, political science, history and sociology. It teaches three core competencies: the ability to work independently, an in-depth knowledge of international relations, and the ability to perform in international contexts. The interdisciplinary program attracts students from all over the world, who can tailor their studies to their needs and their career goals thanks to the program’s flexible structure. Seminars can optionally be taken in English. The Master's program comprises 120 ECTS credits with the standard period of study being four semesters.
The program in detail
Contents
The program in International Relations is made up of a required, a required elective, and an elective component. Students earn 120 ECTS credits that are distributed as follows::
- 40 ECTS credits required area
- 50 ECTS credits required elective area
- 10 ECTS credits elective area
- 20 ECTS credits Master’s thesis
One component of the required area is an internship of at least eight weeks. Students from Germany are advised to complete this internship abroad.
All modules of the individual areas are listed here:
Required area
In the required area, students earn 40 ECTS credits. We offer the following modules:
- Theories, Structures and Orders in International Politics (10 ECTS credits)
- Policies, Strategies and (Political) Fields in International Politics (10 ECTS credits)
- One module from the KU’s Studium.Pro Master’s program (5 ECTS credits)
- Internship (eight weeks or more) (15 ECTS credits)
Required elective area
In the required elective area, students earn 50 ECTS credits. MIB students can choose from 12 different modules (10 ECTS credits each):
- Model United Nations
- Constitutionalism
- Comparative Political Science
- History of Political Thought
- Contemporary Political Theory and Philosophy
- Peace and Conflict Studies
- International Political Economy
- Contemporary History
- International Law - Sources, Principles, Current Developments
- Foundations of Flight, Migration, Society
- Criticism of Political Economy
- Advanced Sociological Theories
- Advanced Methods of Qualitative Analysis
- Advanced Methods of Data Collection
Elective area
In the elective area, MIB students earn 10 ECTS credits. They can freely choose modules from the entire module range offered for all KU Master’s programs without admission restriction or modules from other German or international universities. In the interest of improving students’ foreign language skills, the KU particularly recommends the classes of our Language Center for the elective area.
Master’s thesis
The Master’s thesis is worth 20 ECTS credits. Its topic can be chosen from the subjects of Political Science, History and Sociology and must have a clear international reference.
Rankings and assessments
KU students and alumni have voted for their University to be Germany's most popular university in the 2024 ranking of the online portal StudyCheck. This is the third time in a row, as KU was also voted the most popular university in 2021 and 2022. The ranking was based on over 78,000 evaluations for more than 500 higher education institutions and universities. 97 percent of students questioned for the ranking would recommend studying at the KU to others.
"There is no better praise for a university than almost 100 percent of students and alumni agreeing: I can only recommend studying at the KU! That is why we are very pleased with the ranking’s outcome, because it expresses the high level of satisfaction of our students," says KU President Prof. Dr. Gabriele Gien.
Studying abroad
The MIB program structure enabled students to take a semester abroad, preferably during the third semester. German students are strongly encouraged to take a semester abroad. Students can choose from the wide range of partner universities of the KU. Generally, all universities worldwide are open to our students for a semester abroad in the context of the free-mover-program. Credits obtained abroad may be transferred upon request with the agreement of the MIB Board of Examiners.
The MIB also offers a structured international program in cooperation with Université de Fribourg in Switzerland. Students have the opportunity to supplement their studies in International Relations by acquiring profound knowledge of European integration. An emphasis is placed on the history and political foundations of the integration process, its legal, economic and cultural aspects, as well as on improving French language skills. In this context, the Université Fribourg/Universität Freiburg, the only completely bilingual university in Switzerland (French/German), offers a particularly attractive opportunity for a semester abroad as part of the MIB.
A semester in Fribourg: Specialization “European Studies”
"In the fall semester of 2017/2018, I was allowed to spend a semester abroad in the beautiful city of Fribourg in Switzerland. I was supposed to spend a semester there in the bilingual Master's degree program in "European Studies" in order to learn the scientific approach of our neighboring universities in Switzerland…
"In the fall semester of 2017/2018, I was allowed to spend a semester abroad in the beautiful city of Fribourg in Switzerland. I was supposed to spend a semester there in the bilingual Master's degree program in "European Studies" in order to learn the scientific approach of our neighboring universities in Switzerland on the one hand, and to improve my French through the bilingual nature of the degree program on the other hand. Of course, the stay in Switzerland also involved some preparation work. Here, finding accommodation was one of the most urgent tasks. Although the University of Fribourg generally offers student accommodation, I was unfortunately not considered in the application process. However, through friends I managed to find accommodation in the Salvatorhaus, a monastery of Catholic monks, who rent part of the monastery to students. Here I not only had a spacious room, but was also offered a price that was more than reasonable by Swiss standards.
So, I was able to start my semester abroad at the beginning of September, which started off on the first day with an orientation event organized by the International Office in Fribourg. The event answered all questions regarding the semester abroad and other personal concerns could also be addressed. They also explained, how we could get the money that we were entitled to in the context of the SEMP. Although the money (420 Swiss francs per month) was not even enough for my rent (460 Swiss francs), it was better than nothing. After this preparation time, the actual academic part of the semester abroad finally began.
Already on the first day, I was welcomed in a very friendly and professional manner by the staff of the European Studies Department, who immediately helped me with further detailed questions. The seminars and lectures, mostly led by Prof. Casasus, were not only interesting in terms of content, but also relaxed and interesting in the way he structured his lessons. Prof. Casasus always alternated between German and French in his lectures, so that both languages were integrated into the teaching practice to an equal share. My fellow students were also very friendly and open towards me as an exchange student, a fact that was not always a matter of course with very patriotic Swiss people. The examinations at the end of the semester were fair and I was able to complete them with adequate grades. Back in Eichstätt, I received my finished "Transcript of Records" after a few months, which I could hand in to the KU Examinations Office without any problems to conclude the special time of my semester abroad."
Practical connection
When studying in the Master’s degree program International Relations, you have to complete an eight-week internship during the lecture-free period. The internship is intended to give students an insight into practical professional activity in an international or cross-border context and enable students to acquire the relevant professional qualifications and thus facilitate career entry.
Students from Germany are explicitly encouraged to complete their internship abroad. Participants in the specialization in “European Studies” are encouraged to complete their internship at an organization that has a connection to Europe (e.g. a European organization such as the European Union or Council of Europe, related institutions or other economic or social institutions with European orientation).
Career opportunities and professional fields
Career prospects
The aim of the MIB is to qualify graduates for holding responsible positions in international organizations, ministries, administrative authorities, research institutions, the media and non-governmental organizations. The degree program achieves this objective in particular through seminars focusing on international fields of politics and the corresponding competencies for action; through special career counseling or information events on working in international organizations; and through its own professional network reaching beyond the course of study. Alumni of the MIB program now for example work for the Federal Foreign Office, the Federal Statistical Office, embassies, political foundations, and research centers, in academia, and in the private sector – all over the world.
The KU Career Counseling Service and the International Internship Service at the KU support students on their way to a career with workshops, advice and individual counseling sessions. The student network MIBPlus (available in German) puts active students in touch with alumni of the program, thereby offering a variety of opportunities to exchange views. MIBPlus also offers a tutoring program and its own Career Talk event format on career opportunities for MIB students.
Alumni testimonials
“The MIB was exactly what I had been looking for: As I had previously studied linguistics, the degree program offered me an entry opportunity into the exciting world of international relations at a very high level. The flexible design of the degree program also allowed me to work as a working student at the Munich…
“The MIB was exactly what I had been looking for: As I had previously studied linguistics, the degree program offered me an entry opportunity into the exciting world of international relations at a very high level. The flexible design of the degree program also allowed me to work as a working student at the Munich Security Conference. Two years after starting my studies in Eichstätt, I am now working there as a permanent employee in a job that is incredibly fun and at the same time presents me with new challenges every day.”
What students say about the program
Elena's Dream Future: "I want to help people in need and build a bridge between cultures."
Elena Zgurscaia is studying for a Master's degree in International Relations at the KU. "I want to help people in need and build a bridge between cultures." Elena dreams of a world in which everyone can live in safety and without fear. As her home country, the Ukraine, is currently at war, this wish is particularly close to her heart. For it to become a reality, she would like to start a career in an international organization or in diplomacy: She would love to be able to support peacebuilding and international cooperation as her job.
Based on her interest in global political, economic, cultural and social contexts, Elena made a conscious decision to study for a Master's degree in International Relations at the KU. She already holds a Bachelor's degree in translation studies, in which she already acquired linguistic and cultural knowledge, but now she wants to continue her education with a Master's degree that focuses particularly on political and economic topics.
What Elena particularly likes about the course is that it integrates knowledge from many different areas. The opportunity to choose from a wide range of subjects – from history and politics to economics – makes the course particularly interesting for her. Another fact she likes about her studies is the opportunity to do voluntary work: Alongside her studies, Elena also works for a Malteser International project that helps Ukrainian refugees find a job in Germany.
In the future, Elena wants to intensify her work for helping people in need and “build a bridge between cultures”. The Master's degree course in International Relations is a decisive step for her towards fulfilling this goal. With its combination of theoretical knowledge, practical experience and an internship, the course ideally prepares Elena for her career plans. She hopes to be able to deepen her knowledge so that she can be a role model for social commitment both in professional contexts and in family life.
The MIB program is characterized by a good exchange with the lecturers, who are always available and easy to reach. Small courses facilitate discussions and personal contact.
Another plus is the flexible design of the Master's program, which allows me to adapt my studies to personal interests. After studying law, the…The MIB program is characterized by a good exchange with the lecturers, who are always available and easy to reach. Small courses facilitate discussions and personal contact.
Another plus is the flexible design of the Master's program, which allows me to adapt my studies to personal interests. After studying law, the Master's degree allowed me to expand my knowledge in interdisciplinary areas and to understand the connections between law and other specialist areas. The KU also offers a comprehensive range of advisory services, which are very helpful both in the search for internships and in long-term career planning after the Master's degree.
On the one hand, the MIB offered me various interesting options to choose from in the field of international relations and, on the other hand, it provided me with close and competent support from the lecturers, which I missed at larger universities. In addition, the large selection of partnerships with universities…
On the one hand, the MIB offered me various interesting options to choose from in the field of international relations and, on the other hand, it provided me with close and competent support from the lecturers, which I missed at larger universities. In addition, the large selection of partnerships with universities abroad is a big plus, so that you have an enormous geographical choice for your semester abroad.
The Master's program in International Relations inspires me because it has this strong interdisciplinary focus. The opportunity to combine different subject areas gives me a comprehensive and varied academic experience. The perfect mix of planned structures and flexible, individual options for your study plan gives me…
The Master's program in International Relations inspires me because it has this strong interdisciplinary focus. The opportunity to combine different subject areas gives me a comprehensive and varied academic experience. The perfect mix of planned structures and flexible, individual options for your study plan gives me the freedom to set my own focus and pursue my personal interests. Small seminar groups create an intimate learning environment in which the exchange with lecturers and fellow students is more intensive. The option of spending a semester abroad is also particularly appealing, as it gives me the chance to broaden my horizons and integrate international perspectives into my studies.
The Master's degree program in International Relations caught my eye with its flexible module structure and integrated practical experience. The required internship and the opportunity of spending a semester abroad give you the chance to put what you have learned into practice directly in an international environment.…
The Master's degree program in International Relations caught my eye with its flexible module structure and integrated practical experience. The required internship and the opportunity of spending a semester abroad give you the chance to put what you have learned into practice directly in an international environment. The small groups allow for close contact with the lecturers and a relaxed atmosphere.
What I particularly like about the MIB is the close contact between students and lecturers. In addition, the study structure allows for a very individual selection of modules, so that every student has the opportunity to design their studies themselves and, in addition to political science modules, also gain in-depth…
What I particularly like about the MIB is the close contact between students and lecturers. In addition, the study structure allows for a very individual selection of modules, so that every student has the opportunity to design their studies themselves and, in addition to political science modules, also gain in-depth insights into other subjects such as history or sociology.
The KU
The KU has two campuses: Eichstätt and Ingolstadt. Seven faculties are located in Eichstätt. The Ingolstadt School of Management (WFI) and MIDS (Institute of Applied Mathematics, Machine Learning and Data Science) are located on our Ingolstadt campus.
This degree program is taught on our Eichstätt campus.
Studying in Eichstätt
Study location
The district of Eichstätt and the city of Ingolstadt are located in the heart of Bavaria. This central location also means that the KU is easy to reach. Eichstätt impresses with its unique combination of baroque architecture, modern amenities and the picturesque nature of the Altmühltal natural park.
Campus
Short distances and lavish green spaces characterize the KU campus in Eichstätt. The KU is a campus University with modern facilities. The buildings on campus are located close to the Eichstätt old town.
More than just a degree
Studying at the KU not only provides you with the specialist knowledge you need, but also aims to open up real future prospects for its students. We want to support our students in finding their own personal path to their individual dream future! The question is not "What career do I want to pursue?", but rather "Who do I want to be?"
Advisory Service
Some offers and study conditions are different for international students – our International Office is happy to provide help and support. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our team. We are happy to accompany you on your way to the KU and hope that we can welcome you in person soon!
Armelle
Langenwald
International degree seeking students coordinator - Campus Ingolstadt
Building
Hauptbau
|
Room: HB-209
Alice
Rohn
International degree seeking students coordinator - Campus Eichstätt
Building
Domplatz 8
|
Room: DP8-203 | Campus Eichstätt
Application
Requirements
Bachelor
Selection procedure: see examination regulations
Selection procedure: see examination regulations
Language requirements
German A2, English B2
Application period winter
Apr 01
-
Jul 01
Admission restriction
No
Selection procedure
Yes
Application
The application process for international applicants is now completely digital. You can register online in our application portal and carry out and submit your application. After you have carried out the application and uploaded your documents, you do not need to send your documents to us again by post. You do have to submit certified true copies only if you are admitted at the time of enrollment.
Depending on the course of study, you may be asked for information on internships, professional experience, etc. Please upload the relevant documents in the upload area for all the information you provide, even if these are not mandatory fields!
Before you start the application process, please read the additional information on this page, in particular the information on the respective (German) language requirements and university entrance qualifications.
Requirements
Admission requirements are:
- A professional university degree of at least six semesters in a program in the fields of politics, society, history, economics or languages with a minimum overall grade of 2.5 (“good”) or law with a minimum overall grade of “satisfactory”.
- Proof of English language skills at least on level B2 and German language skills at least on level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. German language skills are proven either by secondary school graduation certificate, the first degree, a Goethe certificate or by other qualifying proof. Proof of English language skills can be given by a secondary school graduation certificate, a relevant first degree or by successful participation in the TOEFL examination (with a minimum overall score of 78 credits) or any other qualifying proof.
- Passing the aptitude test.