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
Students starting at the College of Europe
Students starting at the Fletcher School
Students starting at the College of Europe
Semester 1 in Bruges
At a glance
• 1 MATA compulsory course (5 ECTS)
• 5 IRD compulsory courses (15 ECTS)
• 1 IRD research design seminar (no ECTS)
• IRD compact seminars (voluntary)
• Thesis and internship preparation
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MATA compulsory course
IRD compulsory courses
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EU Institutions and Decision-Making (C. LORD, 1 ECTS, 15h)
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EU Foreign and Security Policy (A. JUNCOS, 3.5 ECTS, 20h)
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International and EU Negotiation Analysis (F. MARCHI, 3.5 ECTS, 20h)
Additional compulsory courses (select 2)
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European Diplomacy in the 21st Century (H. MAURER, 3.5 ECTS, 20h)
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External Dimensions of EU Internal Policies (S. SCHUNZ and S. WOLFF, 3.5 ECTS, 20h)
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Legal Aspects of the EU’s External Relations (J. WOUTERS, 3.5 ECTS, 20h)
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The EU in a Global Political Economy Context (S. GSTÖHL, 3.5 ECTS, 20h)
A special seminar “Research Methodology in EU External Action”, dealing with research design and methodology as well as with theoretical approaches to EU external relations, will be offered to all students. The first part ‘Research Design for the Master’s Thesis’ will take place during the first semester before students choose their thesis topic in October; the other two parts will take place at the beginning of the second semester.
Non-credit courses
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Compact seminars
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EU Public Diplomacy in an Increasingly Competitive World (BELLOSI S.)
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Political Thinking and Presenting Political Briefings (COLLIER Z.)
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Introduction au protocole : protocole diplomatique et européen (DE BAENST J.)
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L’Union européenne et son Partenariat oriental face à l’Union économique eurasiatique (DELCOUR L.)
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Working with EU Media (HARDING G.)
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La diplomatie de l’Union européenne sur le terrain dans les régions en conflit (KOBIA R.)
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Digital Diplomacy : Social Media, Big Data and Artificial Intelligence (KURBALIJA J.)
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Les relations euro-arabes face à la nouvelle donne géopolitique (LANNON E.)
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Challenges Facing European Diplomats : Practical Insights (MAYR-HARTING Th.)
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L’action extérieure de l’Union européenne : Lobbying et stratégies d’influence (MUTAMBA A.)
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Differentiated External Integration: The Protocol on Ireland/ Northern Ireland in EU-UK Relations (PHINNEMORE D. )
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Leadership in Foreign Policy : Strategic Thinking and Policy Planning (TON R.)
MATA-IRD Thesis and Internship Preparation
During this semester, students will start preparing their thesis proposal on transatlantic affairs as well as their internship search. The thesis will be co-supervised by one professor from each institution.
Semester 2 in Bruges
At a glance
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1 MATA compulsory course (5 ECTS)
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IRD simulation game (3 ECTS)
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4 IRD optional courses (18 ECTS)
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MATA study trip to Brussels (no ECTS)
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IRD study trip to Geneva (no ECTS)
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IRD Compact seminar(s) (voluntary)
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Thesis and internship development
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MATA compulsory course
IRD compulsory course
Elective courses (select 4, preferably spread across at least 2 different clusters):
Security, Justice and Values
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Les politiques étrangères nationales et l’action extérieure de l’Union européenne (D. CADIER, 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
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The EU’s Area of Freedom, Security and Justice : Internal and External Dimensions (V. MORENO-LAX, 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
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Invisible Security Challenges: Hybrid Threats and the EU (H. SMITH, 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
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Drivers of European Defence Cooperation and the Transatlantic Alliance (S.J. SMITH, 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
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Politique de sécurité et de défense commune de l'Union européenne: stratégie, partenariats, opérations (T. TARDY, 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
Foreign Economic Relations and Sustainable Development
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EU External Energy Policy (A. GOLDTHAU, 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
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The EU and International Development (J. MACKIE , 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
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Négociations et politiques commerciales de l’UE : outils et études de cas (N. PERIDY, 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
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The EU and the Global Politics of Climate Change and the Environment (S. SCHUNZ, 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
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Political Risk Analysis in a European Perspective (4.5 ECTS) (C.E SOTILOTTA, 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
Bi- and Multilateral Diplomacy
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Gendering EU External Affairs : Towards a more Inclusive Diplomacy ? (G. ALLWOOD & R. GUERRINA, 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
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Les relations de l'Union européenne avec les grandes puissances (T. DE WILDE D’ESTMAEL , 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
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The Transatlantic Partnership: Renewal and Global Challenges (S. FRÖHLICH, 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
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Speaking with one Voice? The EU's External Representation (C-M GEURTS & S. GSTÖHL, 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
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The Evolving Relations between the EU and China: Partnership and Competition in a Changing World Order (A MICHALSKI, 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
Specific Professional Skills
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The EU and Peace Mediation (G. BANIM G. & A. HERRBERG, 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
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Public Relations and Communications Management (C. COLOMINA SALO, 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
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Prospective et planification stratégiques dans le cadre de la politique étrangère de l’UE (H. DELPHIN & F. GAUB, 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
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Le role de l’aide humanitaire dans l’action extérieure globale de l’Union européenne : cadre et pratique (A. KOULAIMAH, 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
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European Intelligence Analysis in Practice (H. RÊGO, 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
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Project Management in Development Cooperation (K. WAGNER , 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
Non-credit courses
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Research Methodology in EU External Relations (cont’d) (S. GSTÖHL & S. SCHUNZ, 0 ECTS, 12h)
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Compact seminars (see above)
Study trip
MATA-IRD Thesis and Internship Development
During this semester, students continue to develop their thesis proposal on transatlantic affairs as well as identify their internship. The thesis will be co-supervised by one professor from each institution.
Semesters 3 and 4 in the US
At a glance
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4 courses at The Fletcher School 24 ECTS
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Thesis submission 25 ECTS
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High-level internship 25 ECTS
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During the second year, MATA students will spend one semester at the Fletcher School and one semester doing a high-level internship (25 ECTS) related to transatlantic affairs for a minimum of 3 months. Students can select which semester for both the internship and Fletcher coursework.
Students submit their master’s thesis (25 ECTS) in April on a topic related to transatlantic affairs, supervised by a faculty member from both the College of Europe’s IRD faculty and the Fletcher School.
At the Fletcher School, MATA students select 4 courses (6 ECTS and between 26.5h and 32.5h each) from any of the three divisions:
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International Law and Organizations (ILO);
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Diplomacy, History and Politics (DHP);
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Economics and International Business (EIB)
They may also cross-register and substitute one of these four courses from Tufts University or Harvard University. Additionally, they may take an extra half course.
Students starting at the Fletcher School
Semester 1 at Fletcher
At a glance
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MATA compulsory course
Students also choose at least one course from each of the three divisions (‘breadth requirement’):
Semester 2 at Fletcher
At a glance
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Students follow 5 courses during the second semester, in addition to preparing for their internship and continuing work on their thesis. A supervisor from the Fletcher School and the IRD faculty are identified.
Compulsory course
Students also choose at least one course from each of the three divisions (‘breadth requirement’), with the following recommended courses:
Students may also cross-register and substitute one of them by a relevant course from Tufts University or Harvard University.
Semester 3 High-level internship in Europe
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Students undertake a high-level internship related to transatlantic affairs (25 ECTS) for at least 3 months.
Semester 4 in Bruges
At a glance
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4 IRD optional courses (25h, 18 ECTS)
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Thesis submission (25 ECTS)
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MATA study trip (no ECTS)
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IRD study trip (no ECTS)
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Simulation game (voluntary)
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Compact seminars (voluntary)
|
Compulsory courses
Optional courses (select 4, preferably spread across at least 2 different clusters):
Security, Justice and Values
-
Les politiques étrangères nationales et l’action extérieure de l’Union européenne (D. CADIER, 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
-
The EU’s Area of Freedom, Security and Justice : Internal and External Dimensions (V. MORENO-LAX, 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
-
Invisible Security Challenges: Hybrid Threats and the EU (H. SMITH, 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
-
Drivers of European Defence Cooperation and the Transatlantic Alliance (S.J. SMITH, 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
-
Politique de sécurité et de défense commune de l'Union européenne: stratégie, partenariats, opérations (T. TARDY, 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
-
EU Democracy Promotion and Human Rights Policy (R. YOUNGS, 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
Foreign Economic Relations and Sustainable Development
-
EU External Energy Policy (A. GOLDTHAU, 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
-
The EU and International Development (J. MACKIE , 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
-
Négociations et politiques commerciales de l’UE : outils et études de cas (N. PERIDY, 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
-
The EU and the Global Politics of Climate Change and the Environment (S. SCHUNZ, 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
Bi- and Multilateral Diplomacy
-
Gendering EU External Affairs : Towards a more Inclusive Diplomacy ? (G. ALLWOOD & R. GUERRINA, 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
-
Les relations de l'Union européenne avec les grandes puissances (T. DE WILDE D’ESTMAEL , 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
-
The Transatlantic Partnership: Renewal and Global Challenges (S. FRÖHLICH, 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
-
Speaking with one Voice? The EU's External Representation (C-M GEURTS & S. GSTÖHL, 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
-
The Evolving Relations between the EU and China: Partnership and Competition in a Changing World Order (A MICHALSKI, 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
-
EU Enlargement … and UK Withdrawal Order (D PHINNEMORE , 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
Specific Professional Skills
-
The EU and Peace Mediation (G. BANIM G. & A. HERRBERG, 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
-
Public Relations and Communications Management (C. COLOMINA SALO, 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
-
Prospective et planification stratégiques dans le cadre de la politique étrangère de l’UE (H. DELPHIN & F. GAUB, 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
-
Le role de l’aide humanitaire dans l’action extérieure globale de l’Union européenne : cadre et pratique (A. KOULAIMAH, 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
-
European Intelligence Analysis in Practice (H. RÊGO, 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
-
Project Management in Development Cooperation (K. WAGNER , 4.5 ECTS, 25h)
Compact seminars (8h, no ECTS)
-
EU Public Diplomacy in an Increasingly Competitive World (BELLOSI S.)
-
Political Thinking and Presenting Political Briefings (COLLIER Z.)
-
Introduction au protocole : protocole diplomatique et européen (DE BAENST J.)
-
L’Union européenne et son Partenariat oriental face à l’Union économique eurasiatique (DELCOUR L.)
-
Working with EU Media (HARDING G.)
-
La diplomatie de l’Union européenne sur le terrain dans les régions en conflit (KOBIA R.)
-
Digital Diplomacy : Social Media, Big Data and Artificial Intelligence (KURBALIJA J.)
-
Les relations euro-arabes face à la nouvelle donne géopolitique (LANNON E.)
-
Challenges Facing European Diplomats : Practical Insights (MAYR-HARTING Th.)
-
L’action extérieure de l’Union européenne : Lobbying et stratégies d’influence (MUTAMBA A.)
-
Differentiated External Integration: The Protocol on Ireland/ Northern Ireland in EU-UK Relations (PHINNEMORE D. )
-
Leadership in Foreign Policy : Strategic Thinking and Policy Planning (TON R.)
Study trip