Study programmes

The graduate of the Master’s programme International Relations has a detailed knowledge of the previous and contemporary international political events. S/he has a good grasp of the academic literature and information resources related to those events and s/he is able to analyze them in an independent manner. The graduate has obtained an extensive factual knowledge about the most important theories and methods of International Relations. S/he is able to interconnect the various pieces of this knowledge and in this way to understand the substance of relations among states, as well as the mechanisms connected with these relations. Equally, s/he can analyze the relations of non-state actors that cross the borders of individual states. Each student also selects an area in which s/he works on his/her MA thesis and in which s/he achieves a very deep level of knowledge. Therefore, not only the graduates have a good general overview of international relations as such, but they also obtain a detailed insight into one of the above mentioned areas of international relations.

Apart from the extensive specific knowledge, the graduate also learns a great deal of specific skills. S/he is able to identify the key questions and problems related to the contemporary international relations and their past development. In order to analyze those questions and problems, s/he is able to select a relevant theoretical, as well as methodological, approach. In his/her analysis, s/he is able to gather and explore relevant data in an accurate and complex manner. On the basis of this analysis, s/he is ready to uncover the causes of the analyzed problems and to formulate alternatives for their solution.

In addition, the graduates of International Relations also dispose with more general competences. Among those competences, we find a developed analytical and critical thinking. The graduates can identify relevant sources of information and conduct their independent critical evaluation. On the basis of a chosen perspective and the necessary data, they manage to produce a detailed analysis of the given issue, as well as to provide a critical assessment of the various alternative interpretations.

In the course of their studies, students of International Relations get acquainted with the ability to write their own academic and analytical texts, including the ability to write an academic/analytical text in a formally correct way. They are able to put together and to structure a great amount of information, to analyze this information and to transfer the resulting analysis into a valuable written piece of work. Furthermore, they can present their arguments and findings in an advanced way in the oral form.

The study of International Relations provides the basis for a professional activity in a very broad set of internationally oriented positions. The graduate is ready to work as a civil servant in state administration (in the diplomatic service or in the international departments of ministries and other state agencies), or in international organizations, in non-governmental (non-profit) organizations, in mass media, or as a lower- or middle-rank manager in private firms, including transnational corporations. After finishing their studies, the graduates can also pursue Ph.D. studies, either at the Department of International Relations at the IPS FSV UK or at departments with the same or similar focus in the Czech Republic or abroad. Part of the graduates may follow a path of an academic career at universities.