International Relations (REL)

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International Relations (REL)
Course sheet
A.Y. 2024/2025
Master programme
LM-52 - International relations
Master programme
120
ECTS
Access
Open with entry requirements examination
2
Years
Course location
Milan
Language
Italian, English
The post-graduate degree programme in International Relations aims to provide a highly qualified learning programme in the political, legal, economic and historical disciplines. Particular attention is given to the development of the graduate's understanding of the international framework of political, economic and social phenomena. The programme is therefore characterised by a multi-disciplinary and open approach to international issues.
Career-wise, the International Relations graduates acquire the knowledge that allows them to pursue careers in international and supranational organizations as well as in diplomacy, in national and multinational companies active in foreign trade, in public and private institutions active in the field of development cooperation, and in national and supranational financial institutions.

A. Diplomacy and International Organizations:
1. Diplomatic career
2. Regional or universal intergovernmental organizations
3. National or supranational legislative offices
4. Policy making

B. International trade and European integration
Companies involved in international trade
Credit institutions and financial intermediaries, insurance companies
Management and business control
International organizations involved in international trade
Customs services

C. International Politics and Regional Dynamics
Analysis and Research - Strategic Political and International Legal Studies
Study centers of multinational companies
Think-tank
International rating agencies
Study offices of trade associations
Italian or foreign public and private research institutes

E. International Cooperation and Human Rights
Intergovernmental organizations active in the field of development cooperation
Non-governmental institutes operating in the field of international cooperation
Policy-making
Humanitarian assistance, immigration management
Cultural exchange and promotion

Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
In light of its international focus, the Master's degree programme in International Relations provides enrolled students with a wide range of options, in terms of foreign institutions where they may follow part of their studies and take exams, in the context of the Erasmus+ Programme. Erasmus+ funded scholarships may be available.
The Department of International, Legal, Historical and Political Studies (DILHPS) - which is responsible for the Master's degree -collaborates with several partner Universities in France, Spain, Eastern Europe (mainly the Czech Republic, Poland and Lithuania), as well as in Germany, Denmark, Belgium, Norway and the United Kingdom. Moreover, thanks to specific arrangements with some Turkish Universities, students will have the chance to experience life and study in a stimulating cross-cultural environment.
While staying in a partner University, students will be able to pursue their studies, in particular in the fields of International Relations, International and Comparative Law, Public and Private Law, History of International Relations and Politics.
The procedure for the recognition of exams taken abroad consists of two phases: a) before the student leaves, a 'Learning Agreement' will identify the courses that he/she is authorized to take abroad on the basis of the student's preferences and subject to the agreement of each Professor; b) upon the student's return, the University of Milan will recognize the exams included in the 'Transcript of Records' provided by the partner University and convert the grades received by the student.
Recommended
Enrolment
General admission requirements for candidates holding a Bachelor's degree earned in Italy, including English language proficiency

Admission into the Master's degree programme in International Relations is conditional upon the following requirements:

- meeting specific admission requirements (including curricular and academic career requirements)
- passing an entrance assessment test.

Eligible degrees

Bachelor's degrees in: Philosophy (L-5), Geography (L-6), Humanities (L-10), Modern languages and cultures (L-11), Language mediation (L-12), Legal services (L-14), Tourism (L-15), Administration (L-16), Business administration (L-18), Communication (L-20), Economics (L-33), Political sciences and international relations (L-36), Social sciences for cooperation, development and peace (L-37), Social service (L-39), History (L-42) and in the corresponding classes under Ministerial Decree 509/99; degrees in other classes, four-year or Master's degrees, equivalent qualifications earned abroad, subject to a resolution by the Academic Board, provided that the candidate earned a number of academic credits in certain academic fields as specified in the Study Programme.

Curricular requirement

Graduates from the above programmes must also meet the following curricular requirements:

having earned at least 60 credits in the following academic fields, of which:

a) at least 9 credits in the following academic fields: SECS-P/01 - Political economy; SECS-P/02 - Economic policy; SECS-P/03 - Finance; SECS-P/06 - Applied economics

b) at least 15 credits in the following academic fields: IUS/01 - Private law; IUS/02 - Comparative private law; IUS/04 - Business law; IUS/05 - Economic law; IUS/07 - Labour law; IUS/08 - Constitutional law; IUS/09 - Public law; IUS/10 - Administrative law; IUS/13 - International law; IUS/14 - European Union law; IUS/21 - Comparative public law

c) at least 9 credits in the following academic fields: SPS/01 - Political philosophy; SPS/02 - History of political doctrines; SPS/03 - History of political institutions; SPS/04 - Political science; SPS/06 - History of international relations; IUS/19 - History of medieval and modern law; IUS/20 - Philosophy of law; L-OR/10 - History of Islamic countries; M-STO/02 - Modern history; M-STO/03 - History of Eastern Europe; M-STO/04 - Contemporary history; SECS-P/12 - Economic history

d) at least 9 credits in the following academic field: L-LIN/12 - Language and translation - English, with a mark out of thirty.

This requirement may also be met by submitting a language certificate at or above Level B2 (for the list of language certificates recognized by the University please refer to the following webpage: https://www.unimi.it/en/study/language-proficiency/placement-tests-entry-tests-and-english-courses). The certificate must be uploaded when submitting the online application.

Further information on application procedures can be found at the following link: https://rel.cdl.unimi.it/en/enrolment

Admission

Application for admission: from 22/01/2024 to 25/08/2024

Application for matriculation: from 02/04/2024 to 15/01/2025


Attachments and documents

Admission notice


Please note

Non-EU students visa applicants are required to apply for admission no later than 30 April 2024. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be evaluated and it will in no case be possible to request the refund of the admission fee.

Learn more:
Programme description and courses list
First trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
International Economic Geography 6 40 Italian M-GGR/02 SPS/04
Legal and Academic Discourse in English 9 60 English L-LIN/12
Second trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Diplomatic and Consular Law 9 60 Italian IUS/13
Foreign Policy Analysis 6 40 Italian SPS/04
Optional
Constitutional Comparative Law 9 60 Italian IUS/21
Third trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Geopolitics 6 40 Italian SPS/04
Optional
International Law of Armed Conflict 9 60 English IUS/13
Law of International Organizations 9 60 Italian IUS/13
Optional activities and study plan rules
- Students enrolled in the A1 path must earn 9 ECTS in one of the following courses:
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Constitutional Comparative Law 9 60 Italian Second trimester IUS/21
International Law of Armed Conflict 9 60 English Third trimester IUS/13
- Students enrolled in the A2 path must earn 6 ECTS in the following course
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Law of International Organizations 9 60 Italian Third trimester IUS/13
First trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
International Economic and Environmental Law 9 60 Italian IUS/13
Optional
Arabic 9 60 L-OR/12
Chinese 9 60 L-OR/21
French 9 60 French L-LIN/04
Japanese 9 60 L-OR/22
Russian 9 60 Russian L-LIN/21
Second trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
History of International Politics 9 60 Italian SPS/06
Third trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
International Monetary Economics 6 40 English SECS-P/01
Optional
German 9 60 German L-LIN/14
Spanish 9 60 Spanish L-LIN/07
Conclusive activities
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Final Exam 21 0 Italian
Optional activities and study plan rules
- Students must earn 9 ECTS in one of the following courses
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Arabic 9 60 First trimester L-OR/12
Chinese 9 60 First trimester L-OR/21
French 9 60 French First trimester L-LIN/04
German 9 60 German Third trimester L-LIN/14
Japanese 9 60 First trimester L-OR/22
Russian 9 60 Russian First trimester L-LIN/21
Spanish 9 60 Spanish Third trimester L-LIN/07
First trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Techniques and Instruments for Eu Funded Projects 3 20 Italian IUS/14
Second trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Comparative Law, Sustainability and Food Safety 6 40 Italian IUS/02
Laboratory:export Control and Compliance Officer 3 20 English IUS/13
Third trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Computer Skills Test 3 20 Italian INF/01
International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law Advocacy Clinic Ius/13 (9 cfu) 9 60 English IUS/13
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Additional Language Skills: Italian (3 ECTS) 3 0 Italian
Optional activities and study plan rules
- Students must earn 9 ECTS as "Elective credits"
- Students must earn 9 ECTS in Internship or Advanced Foreign Language Course, like Additional language skills: Italian.
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Additional Language Skills: Italian (3 ECTS) 3 0 Italian Open sessions
- Students must earn 3 ECTS in Computer skills test
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Computer Skills Test 3 20 Italian Third trimester INF/01
International Organization Law (path A2) is propaedeutic to International Economic and Environmental Law.
Business Administration (curriculum B) is propaedeutic to Corporate Finance.
Private Law and Private International Law (path B2) are propaedeutic to International Contracts and Arbitration Law.
International Law (path C2) is propaedeutic to International Economic Law
First trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Business Economics 6 40 Italian SECS-P/07
Legal and Academic Discourse in English 9 60 English L-LIN/12
Optional
International Trade and Ip Law 9 60 Italian IUS/13
Second trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
European Regulatory Economics 6 40 English SECS-P/03
Optional
Comparative Private Law 9 60 Italian IUS/02
Financial Markets and Financial Crises: a Historical Approach 6 40 English SECS-P/12
Private Law 6 40 Italian IUS/01
Third trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
International Financial Markets Law 6 40 Italian IUS/13
International Private Law 6 40 Italian IUS/13
Optional activities and study plan rules
- Students enrolled in the B1 path must earn 21 ECTS through the following exams
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Comparative Private Law 9 60 Italian Second trimester IUS/02
Financial Markets and Financial Crises: a Historical Approach 6 40 English Second trimester SECS-P/12
International Financial Markets Law 6 40 Italian Third trimester IUS/13
- Students enrolled in the B2 path must earn 21 ECTS through the following exams
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
International Private Law 6 40 Italian Third trimester IUS/13
International Trade and Ip Law 9 60 Italian First trimester IUS/13
Private Law 6 40 Italian Second trimester IUS/01
First trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
International Contracts and Arbitration Law 9 60 Italian IUS/13
Single Market and Competition Law 9 60 Italian IUS/14
Optional
Arabic 9 60 L-OR/12
Chinese 9 60 L-OR/21
French 9 60 French L-LIN/04
Japanese 9 60 L-OR/22
Russian 9 60 Russian L-LIN/21
Second trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Corporate Finance 9 60 Italian SECS-P/09
Management of Corporate Disputes 9 60 Italian IUS/15
Third trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
German 9 60 German L-LIN/14
Spanish 9 60 Spanish L-LIN/07
Conclusive activities
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Final Exam 21 0 Italian
Optional activities and study plan rules
- Students must earn 9 ECTS in one of the following courses
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
French 9 60 French First trimester L-LIN/04
German 9 60 German Third trimester L-LIN/14
Spanish 9 60 Spanish Third trimester L-LIN/07
First trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Techniques and Instruments for Eu Funded Projects 3 20 Italian IUS/14
Second trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Comparative Law, Sustainability and Food Safety 6 40 Italian IUS/02
Laboratory:export Control and Compliance Officer 3 20 English IUS/13
Third trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Computer Skills Test 3 20 Italian INF/01
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Additional Language Skills: Italian (3 ECTS) 3 0 Italian
Optional activities and study plan rules
- Students must earn 9 ECTS as "Elective credits"
- Students must earn 9 ECTS in Internship or Advanced Foreign Language Course, like Additional language skills: Italian.
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Additional Language Skills: Italian (3 ECTS) 3 0 Italian Open sessions
- Students must earn 3 ECTS in Computer skills test
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Computer Skills Test 3 20 Italian Third trimester INF/01
- Students must obtain 9 credits in one of the following compulsory courses
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Corporate Finance 9 60 Italian Second trimester SECS-P/09
Management of Corporate Disputes 9 60 Italian Second trimester IUS/15
International Organization Law (path A2) is propaedeutic to International Economic and Environmental Law.
Business Administration (curriculum B) is propaedeutic to Corporate Finance.
Private Law and Private International Law (path B2) are propaedeutic to International Contracts and Arbitration Law.
International Law (path C2) is propaedeutic to International Economic Law
First trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Legal and Academic Discourse in English 9 60 English L-LIN/12
Second trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
History of Regional Integrations 6 40 English SPS/06
War and Security in International Politics 9 60 English SPS/04
Third trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
International Monetary Economics 6 40 English SECS-P/01
Optional
International Law 9 60 English IUS/13
International Law of Armed Conflict 9 60 English IUS/13
Optional activities and study plan rules
- Students must earn 6 ECTS through one of the following exams
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
American History and Politics 6 40 English Second trimester SPS/05
History and Politics of North Africa and the Middle East 6 40 English Third trimester SPS/14
History and Politics of Sub-Saharan Africa 6 40 English Third trimester SPS/13
International Relations of East Asia 6 40 English Third trimester SPS/04
- Students enrolled in the C1 path must earn 9 ECTS through the following exam
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
International Law of Armed Conflict 9 60 English Third trimester IUS/13
- Students enrolled in the C2 path must earn 9 ECTS through the following exam
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
International Law 9 60 English Third trimester IUS/13
First trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Arabic 9 60 L-OR/12
Chinese 9 60 L-OR/21
French 9 60 French L-LIN/04
Japanese 9 60 L-OR/22
Russian 9 60 Russian L-LIN/21
Second trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
International Economic Law 6 40 English IUS/13
Transnational Constitution-Making 6 40 English IUS/21
Optional
American History and Politics 6 40 English SPS/05
Third trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Worldviews in International Relations 6 40 English SPS/04
Optional
German 9 60 German L-LIN/14
History and Politics of North Africa and the Middle East 6 40 English SPS/14
History and Politics of Sub-Saharan Africa 6 40 English SPS/13
International Relations of East Asia 6 40 English SPS/04
Spanish 9 60 Spanish L-LIN/07
Conclusive activities
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Final Exam 21 0 Italian
Optional activities and study plan rules
- Students must earn 9 ECTS in one of the following courses
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Arabic 9 60 First trimester L-OR/12
Chinese 9 60 First trimester L-OR/21
French 9 60 French First trimester L-LIN/04
German 9 60 German Third trimester L-LIN/14
Japanese 9 60 First trimester L-OR/22
Russian 9 60 Russian First trimester L-LIN/21
Spanish 9 60 Spanish Third trimester L-LIN/07
- Students must earn 6 ECTS through one of the following exams (different one from the exam selected in the first year)
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
American History and Politics 6 40 English Second trimester SPS/05
History and Politics of North Africa and the Middle East 6 40 English Third trimester SPS/14
History and Politics of Sub-Saharan Africa 6 40 English Third trimester SPS/13
International Relations of East Asia 6 40 English Third trimester SPS/04
First trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Techniques and Instruments for Eu Funded Projects 3 20 Italian IUS/14
Second trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Laboratory:export Control and Compliance Officer 3 20 English IUS/13
Third trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Computer Skills Test 3 20 Italian INF/01
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Additional Language Skills: Italian (3 ECTS) 3 0 Italian
Optional activities and study plan rules
- Students must earn 9 ECTS as "Elective credits"
- Students must earn 9 ECTS in Internship or Advanced Foreign Language Course, like Additional language skills: Italian.
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Additional Language Skills: Italian (3 ECTS) 3 0 Italian Open sessions
- Students must earn 3 ECTS in Computer skills test
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Computer Skills Test 3 20 Italian Third trimester INF/01
International Organization Law (path A2) is propaedeutic to International Economic and Environmental Law.
Business Administration (curriculum B) is propaedeutic to Corporate Finance.
Private Law and Private International Law (path B2) are propaedeutic to International Contracts and Arbitration Law.
International Law (path C2) is propaedeutic to International Economic Law
First trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Globalization, Social Justice and Human Rights 6 40 English SPS/08
International Human Rights Law 9 60 English IUS/13
Legal and Academic Discourse in English 9 60 English L-LIN/12
Second trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Anthropology of Globalization and Transnationalism 6 40 English M-DEA/01
Global Inequalities 6 40 English SPS/07
Immigration Policies 9 60 English SPS/10
Third trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Development Policies 6 40 English SECS-P/01
First trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Arabic 9 60 L-OR/12
Chinese 9 60 L-OR/21
French 9 60 French L-LIN/04
Japanese 9 60 L-OR/22
Russian 9 60 Russian L-LIN/21
Second trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Design and Evaluation of Development Policies 6 40 English SPS/07
Optional
American History and Politics 6 40 English SPS/05
Third trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Global Criminal Organizations 6 40 English SPS/09
Optional
German 9 60 German L-LIN/14
History and Politics of North Africa and the Middle East 6 40 English SPS/14
History and Politics of Sub-Saharan Africa 6 40 English SPS/13
International Relations of East Asia 6 40 English SPS/04
Spanish 9 60 Spanish L-LIN/07
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Final Exam 21 0 Italian
Optional activities and study plan rules
- Students must earn 9 ECTS in one of the following courses
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Arabic 9 60 First trimester L-OR/12
Chinese 9 60 First trimester L-OR/21
French 9 60 French First trimester L-LIN/04
German 9 60 German Third trimester L-LIN/14
Japanese 9 60 First trimester L-OR/22
Russian 9 60 Russian First trimester L-LIN/21
First trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Techniques and Instruments for Eu Funded Projects 3 20 Italian IUS/14
Second trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Laboratory:export Control and Compliance Officer 3 20 English IUS/13
Third trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Computer Skills Test 3 20 Italian INF/01
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Additional Language Skills: Italian (3 ECTS) 3 0 Italian
Optional activities and study plan rules
- Students must earn 9 ECTS as "Elective credits"
- Students must earn 9 ECTS in Internship or Advanced Foreign Language Course, like Additional language skills: Italian.
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Additional Language Skills: Italian (3 ECTS) 3 0 Italian Open sessions
- Students must earn 3 ECTS in Computer skills test
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Computer Skills Test 3 20 Italian Third trimester INF/01
- Students must earn 6 ECTS through one of the following exams
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
American History and Politics 6 40 English Second trimester SPS/05
History and Politics of North Africa and the Middle East 6 40 English Third trimester SPS/14
History and Politics of Sub-Saharan Africa 6 40 English Third trimester SPS/13
International Relations of East Asia 6 40 English Third trimester SPS/04
International Organization Law (path A2) is propaedeutic to International Economic and Environmental Law.
Business Administration (curriculum B) is propaedeutic to Corporate Finance.
Private Law and Private International Law (path B2) are propaedeutic to International Contracts and Arbitration Law.
International Law (path C2) is propaedeutic to International Economic Law
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Location
Milan

The tuition fees for students enrolled in Bachelor's, Master's and single-cycle degree programmes are divided into two instalments with different calculation methods and payment schedules:

  • The amount of the first instalment is the same for all students
  • The amount of the second instalment varies according to the ISEE University value, the degree programme and the student status (on track / off track for one year or off track for more than a year) 
  • An additional fee is due for online programmes

The University also offers:

  • Concessions for students meeting high merit requirements
  • Diversified tuition fees according to the student's home country for international students with assets/income abroad
  • Concessions for international students with refugee status

Scholarships and benefits

The University provides a range of financial benefits to students meeting special requirements (merit, financial or personal conditions, international students).

Learn more