Information for students

Mehrere Studenten sitzen in einer Vorlesung und schauen zum Dozenten, der gerade etwas erklärt

Program Structure and Course of Study

A total of 120 credit points are awarded in the Master’s program in International Relations. The standard duration of study for full-time students is 4 semesters.

The degree program has a modular structure. In addition to required and elective courses in the core subjects of the respective specialization (at least 50 CP), students must complete interdisciplinary required modules totaling 25 CP.

You may earn an additional 20 CP either in further core subject modules or in the area of supplementary qualifications (modules in a third subject or courses in related social science disciplines).

The master’s thesis is scheduled for the fourth academic semester. It is worth 25 LP.

A tabular overview of the modules can be found here.

General Required Area

Das Foto zeigt einen vollen Hörsaal während einer Vorlesung. — © PantherMedia / matej kastelic

Bilder von zwei Studierende, die in einem vollen Hörsaal nebeneinander sitzen und sich gegenseitig helfen. — © Crispin-Iven Mokry

Rückseite des Hörsaalzentrum der TU Dresden. Auf der Wiese sieht man viele Studierende in kleinen Gruppen. — © Karsten Eckold

These interdisciplinary modules are required for all specializations within the master’s program:

Interdisciplinary Analysis of International Relations,
Professional Internship,
Research Design

Specializations

Depending on your interests and prior knowledge, you will choose one of the three available specializations.

The following specializations are available:

International Order and Institutions

The International Order and Institutions specialization provides you with in-depth knowledge of international politics and international law. This will enable you to analyze the challenges of legal and political governance in a globalized world and to independently develop interdisciplinary strategies for effectively addressing international problems and development processes.

Internationale Ordnung und Institutionen

Course Content:

Fundamentals of international law governing the international order, including methods of international law
Conditions for the emergence of forms of international order
Structure and functioning of international organizations and institutions
Forms of institutionalized cooperation in inter- and transnational relations
Concepts and theories regarding the relationship between political and legal forms of order and governance, as well as issues of compliance, legitimacy, and efficiency in international regimes and organizations

In addition, students may choose from fundamental topics in Business Administration and Economics and other disciplines with an international focus.

Global Political Economy

The Global Political Economy specialization provides you with in-depth knowledge of the interrelationships between international politics and economics. You will be equipped to analyze issues related to the global interaction between politics and economics. In addition, you will independently develop interdisciplinary solutions to effectively address problems in the political governance and regulation of global economic relations.

Global Political Economy

Course Content:

Causes, trends, and analyses of the internationalization of national economies, particularly the integration of goods and factor markets and its consequences for welfare, distribution, and development
Concepts and theories regarding the relationship between globalized markets and political regulatory and governance frameworks, as well as the associated issues of compliance, legitimacy, and efficiency
The scope for action of national policy under the conditions of global economic governance within the framework of intergovernmental international organizations and regimes, the integration of private stakeholders into public-private governance structures, and the political economy of international economic relations

In addition, students may choose from fundamental topics in international law as well as other disciplines with an international focus.

International Law and Economics

The International Law and Economics specialization will help you gain a deep understanding of the international economy and international law. With this knowledge, you will be able to analyze how these two fields interact and independently devise solutions to problems in the global economy and its legal regulation.

Course Content ILE

Course Content:

Causes, trends, and analyses of the internationalization of economies, particularly the integration of goods and factor markets and its implications for welfare
The structure and role of institutions and organizations in internationalized economies
The foundations of the international order under international law, including methods of international law
International distribution issues, as well as trends and decision-making processes against the backdrop of economic and political interests

In addition, students may choose from fundamental topics in political science as well as other disciplines with an international focus.

Within these specializations, you will take the corresponding required and elective modules, and you can easily set your own areas of focus within the elective component.