School: School of Business and Law

International Relations, Strategy and Security

Academic year

2022-2023
Taught Language: Greek/English

Course Summary

The MSc in International Relations, Strategy and Security aims at providing students with a broad assessment of contemporary international relations, with emphasis on strategy and security issues. It combines in-depth academic training in key concepts, theories and case-studies, alongside a structured process of engagement with contemporary debates and experience. It integrates theoretical approaches with the study of many cases and issues. It also explores the ways in which the line between the domestic and international is blurred by trade, financial, environmental, strategic, security, ideological, cultural and ethical issues. Moreover, the Programme provides a strong theoretical and empirical understanding of the international security environment of the post-Cold War era, including the origins of conflicts and peace, the emergence of new security threats and the many different agencies involved in conflict prevention, peacekeeping and peacemaking today. Last but not least, the Programme identifies the ways state and non-state actors develop strategies in the international environment as far as security issues are concerned.

Graduates of the Programme are expected to have a thorough understanding of international political, security, and strategic issues, which will enable them to pursuit careers in the diplomatic corps, in international organizations, in NGOs, as well as in both the public and the private sector as senior policy and security advisors.

Career Prospects

Modules

SEMESTER 1

Code Course title Course type ECTS
IRSS611 International Security and Strategic Studies Compulsory 7.5
IRSS612 Strategy and Decision Making Compulsory 7.5
IRSS621 Contemporary Issues in Global Politics Compulsory 7.5
METH600 Research Methodology Compulsory 7.5

SEMESTER 2

Code Course title Course type ECTS
IRSS623 International Law and Security Compulsory 7.5
IRSS624 Homeland Security Compulsory 7.5
IS504 Information Security Compulsory 7.5
IRSS622 Special Topics in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East Security Elective 7.5
IRSS625 Peacebuilding and Post-Conflict Reconstruction Elective 7.5
MEP500 Foreign Policy, Security and Defense in the European Union Elective 7.5

SEMESTER 3

Code Course title Course type ECTS
IRSS610 Dissertation Compulsory 30
For the successful completion of their studies, students need to sum up in total 90 ECTS. In the 1st semester students choose all four compulsory courses. In the 2nd semester students choose all three compulsory courses and one of the three available elective courses. In order to successfully complete their studies and be awarded the MSc in International Relations, Strategy and Security, students are also obliged to conduct a Master’s Dissertation.

Assessment Method

The Programme’s teaching methodology involves a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, examinations, projects, presentations, assignments, case-study applications and independent research. In addition, it is designed to provide an academic experience going beyond that of the traditional classroom, in which the flow of information is primarily from the instructor to the student. The intention of the Programme is that each participant will contribute to the education of the entire class though active participation in the learning procedure. This will establish the understanding that an MSc in International Relations, Strategy and Security requires a holistic and interdisciplinary approach.

The interactivity and formative assessment form part of the learning and teaching methodology. 30% of the students’ final grade in each course corresponds to their performance in the midterm assessment, whereas 70% corresponds to their performance in the final exams. In order to secure a passing grade in a course, students need to secure a passing grade (i.e. 50% or higher) in both the midterm assessment and the final exams.

How to apply

In order to be admitted to the Programme, candidates must possess a Bachelor Degree or equivalent in International Relations, Political Science, Law, History, Sociology, Economics, or in any other related field of Social Sciences and Humanities with grade 6.5/10 or 2:1 or equivalent. It also encourages the application of graduates of schools of the Armed Forces and the Security Forces. The general admission criteria are based on the type and quality of previous studies, the grade obtained in previous studies and the suitability of the candidate for the Programme of study that has been applied for. In any case, the file of each applicant will be considered on its own merit.

Satisfactory knowledge of English is essential. The minimum language requirement is a B2 certificate in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages scale. In the absence of such a certificate/degree, candidates will be asked to sit English language exams in order to prove their satisfactory knowledge.

Application deadline

Application deadline

Candidates may apply at any time during the year, though admissions will be in September and February.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

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Additional entry requirements

English language requirements

Satisfactory knowledge of English is essential. The minimum language requirement is a B2 certificate in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages scale. In the absence of such a certificate/degree, candidates will be asked to sit English language exams in order to prove their satisfactory knowledge. After admission, candidates may be required to take additional instruction in English language. 

Fees and funding

Application Fees

Tuition Fees
(Full Programme): €12,000

Distance learning fees € 5000

Additional Fee information

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Provider information

Main Contact

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Contact Person: Neapolis University Paphos

Phone: +35726257500