Διεθνείς Σχέσεις και Σπουδές Ανατολικής Μεσογείου

Profile of the Programme

General Objectives of the Program

The program gives the opportunity for specialization in the particular fields of International Relations and Eastern Mediterranean studies, both at a theoretical and at a practical level. It provides postgraduate education to holders of a Bachelor in political science or of some other relevant field (International Relations, European Studies, Governance, Public Administration, Law etc.). It mainly, but not exclusively, addresses itself to individuals who (intend to) work on fields relevant with the Eastern Mediterranean and international relations (diplomats, consular officials, security and military personnel, energy security personnel, general employees of companies and of other private sector entities or organizations, members of the public service or of some other public or semi-public agency or organization, members of non-governmental organizations etc.)

It is expected that the program will provide its graduates with additional qualifications and that it will enhance their cognitive as well as their managerial capacities; this will help them enrich their career opportunities. Graduates of the program also have the opportunity to pursue further studies at a PhD level. The program particularly highlights special issues that are of great theoretical and practical importance, encouraging a comparative approach, within the contemporary international and regional context, with the aim of confronting contemporary problems and challenges in a theoretically informed, while practically efficient, way. The program aims to provide postgraduate education and skills to conduct independent research on the relevant fields and achieve a 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 main academic aims of the program are (a) the deepening of knowledge in specialized fields of international relations and Eastern Mediterranean Studies with theoretical and practical importance, as well as (b) the broadening of the understanding of political science and of its implementation in a comparative regional and international context. Emphasis is given both to the theoretical parameters and practical implementation, with an overall view to enhancing the capacity of students to confront current challenges and problems, especially those that may be encountered in the regional and international environment. Students are given the opportunity to engage with academic research and the application of good practices and models, gaining well-founded specialization in fields of particular importance. In this respect, students are called to make effective and theoretically sound application of related concepts in the fields of International Relations and Eastern Mediterranean Studies and to develop an in-depth approach to complex issues such as the interstate relations, regional affairs, conflict, international law, terrorism, energy dependence and energy security etc. The program provides specialized knowledge and the ability to self-reflect and critically assess the theoretical and research tradition pertaining to a series of relevant fields and aims to provide the students with deep understanding of the evolution of the international system in the 20th and 21st centuries as well as the new regional environment in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East.

Career Prospects

The program applies 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 Criteria

The minimum general requirement for admission to the post-graduate degree programme is a Bachelor Degree from a recognised university.

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

• A CV of the prospective student.
• Two 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

Applicants satisfy the English requirements if their first degree was taught in English. Otherwise, the minimum English-language qualifications for admission are:

• IELTS, 6.5 and above
• Anglia Examinations, Proficiency or Mastery
• Cambridge GCE AS Level English Language, C and above
• Cambridge GCE English A Levels, C and above
• Cambridge IGCSE or GCSE English as a First language, C and above
• Cambridge IGCSE or GCSE English as a Second language, B and above
• IB English A: Literature SL & HL, 4 and above
• IB English Standard Level (SL), 5 and above
• IB English High Level (HL), 4 and above
• Michigan Language Assessment (also known as Proficiency of Michigan), 750 and above
• Password Test, 6.5 and above
• TOEFL (IBT), 79 and above
• Cambridge Exams (First Certificate), 176 and above or Pass
• Cambridge Exams (Proficiency Certificate), 180 and above or Pass

Applicants who do not hold one of the listed qualifications, are required to take UNIC’s NEPTON English Placement Test and achieve a score at the ENGL-100 level, which can substitute for the standardized tests typically required for admission to postgraduate programs. The test is offered free of charge.

The University offers English courses at different levels to assist students in meeting the required standard for admission to a graduate programme.

Course assessment usually comprises of a comprehensive final exam and continuous assessment. Continuous assessment can include amongst others, weekly interactive activities, projects, positive online forum participation etc.

Letter grades are calculated based on the weight of the final exam and the continuous assessment and the actual numerical marks obtained in these two assessment components. Based on the course grades the student’s semester grade point average (GPA) and cumulative point average (CPA) are calculated.

The student must complete 90 ECTS and all programme requirements.

A minimum cumulative grade point average (CPA) of 2.0 is required. Thus, although a ‘D-‘ is a PASS grade, in order to achieve a CPA of 2.0 an average grade of ‘C’ is required.

The intended earning outcomes involve both practical and theoretical knowledge, skills and qualifications that will enhance students cognitive as well as managerial capacities, when dealing with tasks and challenges in relevant professions. Upon successful completion of this program, students are expected to:

1. Advance knowledge of basic concepts, principles, notions, theories and models and apply them in special contexts within the cognitive field of international relations and Eastern Mediterranean Studies.
2. Advance specific theoretical schemes and models, related to the content and to the particular objects of the cognitive field.
3. Combine theoretical and empirical knowledge, so as to be able to treat simple or complex issues that arise in professional areas of interest.
4. Analyze and evaluate issues, problems and proposals in specific areas of international relations and Eastern Mediterranean Studies (normative and empirical approach).
5. Evaluate procedures that aim at confronting problems in the field.
6. Identify priority issues, which deserve analysis and evaluation at national, regional or international level.
7. Conduct independent research and combine in an interdisciplinary manner the methodological and cognitive tools of political science, in order to deliver innovative approaches and proposals.
8. Implement necessary analytical and communication skills required in order to get involved in professional fields of interest, either on a regional or international level.
9. Develop analytical skills, in accordance with the requirements of the profession.
10. Utilise the necessary supplies and the associated culture in the pursuit of continuous improvement of their individual skills and competencies after the completion of their studies.
11. Independently identify, analyze and evaluate complex issues relating to International Relations and Eastern Mediterranean Studies by using a variety of theoretical approaches and methodological tools.
12. Critically evaluate key developments within the fields of international relations and Eastern Mediterranean studies.
13. Independently analyze, interpret and reflect upon key trends and developments in world politics and engage in related debates.
14. Effectively utilize research methods used in the fields of International Relations, Political Science and Area Studies.

Section: A Core Requirements
ECTS: Min. 60 Max. 60

Section: B Electives
ECTS: Min. 30 Max. 30
Notes: The Thesis is equivalent to 30 ECTS, and requires the completion of MIR-695DE Thesis I/Research Methodology (10 ECTS) and MIR-696DE Thesis II (20 ECTS).

Section: C Unallocated Courses
ECTS: Min. 0 Max. 0

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

The above semester breakdown is an indicative one. A few of the courses are electives and can be substituted by others. Students may contact their academic advisor and consult their academic pathway found on this website under “Schools & Programmes”.

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

The above semester breakdown is an indicative one. A few of the courses are electives and can be substituted by others. Students may contact their academic advisor and consult their academic pathway found on this website under “Schools & Programmes”.