Academic Year 2023-2024
Why follow the International Relations and Diplomacy study track?
Given the strong emphasis of the educational offer on international relations and diplomacy at both the College of Europe and The Fletcher School, MATA students may choose to focus on these aspects as part of their study programme on transatlantic affairs

I've learned academic knowledge and developed professional skills that will allow me to pursue a strong diplomatic or political career within international organisations. Adam Beunardeau-Pammen, class of 2024
Students starting at the College of Europe
Students starting at the Fletcher School
Students starting at the College of Europe
IRD STUDY TRACK SEMESTER 1 in Bruges |
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1 MATA compulsory course (27h, 5 ECTS) |
US-EU Relations in the 21st Century: A Multidisciplinary Analysis of Transatlantic Affairs (J. SHATTUCK & I. LESSER) |
5 IRD compulsory courses |
IRD compulsory courses
IRD compulsory courses (select 2)
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MATA-IRD Thesis and Internship Preparation |
Optional course: Research Design in EU External Action Studies (S. GSTÖHL & S. SCHUNZ, 12h, no ECTS) Select thesis supervisor from College of Europe and from Fletcher Begin internship search |
IRD compact seminars—some may be taught during the second semester (voluntary, 8h, no ECTS) |
EU Public Diplomacy in an Increasingly Competitive World (S. BELLOSI) Political Thinking and Presenting Political Briefings (Z. COLLIER) Introduction au protocole : protocole diplomatique et européen (J. DE BAENST) Working with EU Media (G. HARDING) La diplomatie de l’Union européenne sur le terrain dans les régions en conflit (R. KOBIA) Prospective et planification stratégiques dans le cadre de la politique étrangère de l’UE (H. DELPHIN) Challenges Facing European Diplomats : Practical Insights (Th. MAYR-HARTING) L’action extérieure de l’Union européenne : Lobbying et stratégies d’influence (A. MUTAMBA) Leadership in Foreign Policy : Strategic Thinking and Policy Planning (R. TON) |
IRD STUDY TRACK SEMESTER 2 in Bruges |
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2 MATA compulsory courses |
US-EU Relations in the 21st Century: Transatlantic Project (B. BERTI & B. LETE, 5 ECTS, 20h) Southern Atlanticism: Rethinking Mental Maps of Transatlantic Relations (I. LESSER, no ECTS, 8h) |
IRD simulation game compulsory (30h, 3 ECTS)
4 IRD optional courses (25h, 4.5 ECTS)
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Simulation Game: EU International Crisis Response (A. RIBO LABASTIDA & Q. WEILER) IRD optional courses (select 4, preferably spread across at least 2 different clusters):
Foreign Economic Relations and Sustainable Development
Bi- and Multilateral Diplomacy
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IRD compact seminars—some may be taught during the first semester (voluntary, 8h, no ECTS) |
EU Public Diplomacy in an Increasingly Competitive World (S. BELLOSI) Political Thinking and Presenting Political Briefings (Z. COLLIER) Introduction au protocole : protocole diplomatique et européen (J. DE BAENST) Working with EU Media (G. HARDING) La diplomatie de l’Union européenne sur le terrain dans les régions en conflit (R. KOBIA) Prospective et planification stratégiques dans le cadre de la politique étrangère de l’UE (H. DELPHIN) Challenges Facing European Diplomats : Practical Insights (Th. MAYR-HARTING) L’action extérieure de l’Union européenne : Lobbying et stratégies d’influence (A. MUTAMBA) Leadership in Foreign Policy : Strategic Thinking and Policy Planning (R. TON) |
MATA-IRD Thesis and Internship Preparation |
Submit thesis proposal Continue internship search |
Other |
MATA study trip to Brussels IRD study trip to Geneva Thesis proposal Internship search |
Option 1: IRD Study Track Year 2
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4 courses at The Fletcher School, 24 ECTS
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At least one course from each of the three divisions (‘breadth requirement’):
Cross-registration and substitution of 1 course from Tufts University or Harvard University possible |
IRD STUDY TRACK SEMESTER 4 |
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MATA thesis submission, 25 ECTS |
High-level internship, 25 ECTS |
Option 2: IRD Study Track Year 2
IRD STUDY TRACK SEMESTER 3 |
High-level internship, 25 ECTS |
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MATA thesis submission, 25 ECTS |
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4 courses at The Fletcher School, 24 ECTS
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At least one course from each of the three divisions (‘breadth requirement’):
Cross-registration and substitution of 1 course from Tufts University or Harvard University possible |
Students starting at the Fletcher School
IRD STUDY TRACK SEMESTER 1 at the Fletcher School |
|
1 MATA compulsory course (27h, 5 ECTS) |
US-EU Relations in the 21st Century: A Multidisciplinary Analysis of Transatlantic Affairs (J. SHATTUCK & I. LESSER) |
4 Fletcher courses, 24 ECTS |
At least one course from each of the three divisions (‘breadth requirement’):
Cross-registration and substitution of 1 course from Tufts University or Harvard University possible |
Thesis and internship preparation |
Select thesis supervisor from College of Europe and from Fletcher Begin internship search |
IRD STUDY TRACK SEMESTER 2 at the Fletcher School |
|
1 MATA compulsory course (20h, 5 ECTS) |
US-EU Relations in the 21st Century: Transatlantic Project (B. BERTI & B. LETE) |
4 Fletcher courses, 6 ECTS each |
At least one course from each of the three divisions (‘breadth requirement’):
Cross-registration and substitution of 1 course from Tufts University or Harvard University possible |
Thesis and internship preparation |
Submit thesis proposal Continue internship search |
IRD STUDY TRACK SEMESTER 3 |
High-level internship |
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MATA Thesis submission (25 ECTS) |
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MATA compulsory compact seminar (8h, no ECTS) |
Southern Atlanticism: Rethinking Mental Maps of Transatlantic Relations (I. LESSER) |
IRD simulation game (voluntary, 30h, no ECTS)
4 IRD optional courses (25h, 4.5 ECTS each)
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IRD optional courses (select 4, preferably spread across at least 2 different clusters): Security, Justice and Values
Foreign Economic Relations and Sustainable Development
Bi- and Multilateral Diplomacy
Specific Professional Skills
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Study trips
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MATA study trip to Brussels IRD study trip to Geneva |
IRD compact seminars—some may be taught during the first semester (voluntary, 8h, no ECTS)
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EU Public Diplomacy in an Increasingly Competitive World (S. BELLOSI) Political Thinking and Presenting Political Briefings (Z. COLLIER) Introduction au protocole : protocole diplomatique et européen (J. DE BAENST) Working with EU Media (G. HARDING) La diplomatie de l’Union européenne sur le terrain dans les régions en conflit (R. KOBIA) Prospective et planification stratégiques dans le cadre de la politique étrangère de l’UE (H. DELPHIN) Challenges Facing European Diplomats : Practical Insights (Th. MAYR-HARTING) L’action extérieure de l’Union européenne : Lobbying et stratégies d’influence (A. MUTAMBA) Leadership in Foreign Policy : Strategic Thinking and Policy Planning (R. TON) |
PDF version: IRD STUDY TRACK 2023-24