Διεθνείς Σχέσεις και Ευρωπαϊκές Σπουδές

Profile of the Programme

General Objectives of the Program

The general objectives of the program are to:

• Promote thorough examination and research by giving students the opportunity to specialise in International Relations and European Studies, as well as Political Science and other related domains within the broader field of Social Sciences. The systematic development and enrichment of knowledge in the aforementioned fields is an important asset for those who wish to work in a number of professions, sectors and organisations.
• Provides postgraduate education to holders of a Bachelor degree in International Relations, Political Science, History or other relevant Bachelor degrees, as well as to individuals who intend to work in fields relevant with international affairs (e.g. in the public sector, especially in services under Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence or Commerce, in multinational firms, in international organisations such as the UN and the EU, in academic institutions and research centres, in non-governmental organisations etc).
• Develop the level of knowledge and skills of post-graduate students in the relevant domains.
• Achieve deep understanding of the complexity of international affairs, as well as of the paramount importance of theoretical and methodological competence when dealing with them.

Special Objectives of the Program

The special objectives of the program are to:

• Assimilate basic concepts in the fields of International Relations and European Studies (i.e. international system, international cooperation, international organisation, regional integration, international and ethnic conflict, international security etc). This is an important prerequisite for developing an in-depth approach to complex issues such as the European Integration process, political, economic and social dimension of interstate relations, civil, international and regional conflicts, terrorism, energy dependence and energy security etc. The program pays special attention on issues related with the Republic of Cyprus and its EU membership, as well as Cyprus’ geographic position in the East Mediterranean and the greater Middle East.
• Provide the necessary knowledge in relation to the rich theoretical and research tradition pertaining to a series of fields, such as theory of international relations, European and regional integration, international political economy, international security, asymmetric threats, conflict management and conflict resolution etc. The program is structured in a way that allows students to specialise in the areas of their special interest, after having acquired the basic foundations of theory and methodical research, and basic knowledge in the fields of International Relations and European Studies.
• Provide the students with a broad understanding of the political, social and economic evolution of the international system in the 20^th and 21^st centuries as well as the new evolving international and regional environment. The role of law, diplomacy, private and non-governmental agents in the international system will form a vital part of this understanding. Moreover, the relative political and economic power of states, the role of international organizations such as the United Nations, and the existence of conflict will provide major foci for the program as a whole.

Career Prospects

The program applies to to individuals who intend to work in fields relevant with international affairs (e.g. in the public sector, especially in services under Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence or Commerce, in multinational firms, in international organisations such as the UN and the EU, in academic institutions and research centres, in non-governmental organisations etc).

Access to Further Studies

Graduates of the programme can be accepted into Third Cycle degrees (Doctorate Degree)

Admission

The minimum general requirement for admission to the post-graduate degree programme is a Bachelor Degree from a recognised university (e.g. American, European) or another recognised equivalent qualification.

In addition to the above, applicants must also satisfy the following requirements/submit the following documents:

• A CV of the prospective student.
• Τwo recommendation letters.
• A personal statement by the prospective student expressing his/her interest in following the program.
• Proficient knowledge of English (see below)
• Knowledge of more than one foreign language will be considered an advantage.

English Language Proficiency

Students satisfy the English requirements if their first degree was taught in English. Otherwise, they would need to present a minimum TOEFL score 550 and above, or Computer-based TOEFL score of 213 and above, or Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) score 79-80 and above, or GCSE (or GCE) English Language “O” Level of “C” or above or IELTS of 6.5 and above or Cambridge Exams (First Certificate with Grade B and above, as well as Proficiency with Grade C and above or a score placement at the ENGL-100 level of the University English Placement Test. The University offers English courses at various levels to help students reach the required standard for admission to a graduate program.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, the students should be able to:

1. Critically evaluate key trends and developments within the field of International Relations and European Studies.
2. Effectively utilize research methods used in the field of International Relations, European Studies and the Social Sciences.
3. Readily deal with the complexity of the field of study and its relation to other subjects.
4. Engage in debates within the field of study.
5. Discuss recent world history and the European integration process in an intelligent and analytical way.
6. Independently identify analyze and evaluate complex issues relating to International Relations and European Studies using a variety of theoretical approaches and methodological tools.
7. Evaluate the complexity of the field and analyze related issues both orally and in writing as well as organize and lead discussions regarding issues of an international nature.
8. Independently analyze, interpret and reflect upon key trends in development within world politics.
9. Critically analyze research within the field of study.
10. Communicate in English language both orally and in written form at (near) native level.
11. Employ organizational and analytical skills to allow them to research international phenomena competently with a minimal amount of assistance.
12. Make efficient use of libraries, bibliographical material and academic research.