Master of International and Diplomatic Studies
The full-time International and Diplomatic Studies (IDS) master’s degree program taught in English is opened by the Faculty of International Relations of the University of Economics, Prague. The objective of the IDS program is to produce professionals highly specialized in the fields of international politics and security, and equip them with advanced theoretical knowledge of international relations, international and diplomatic law, and strategic decision-making in foreign service or public diplomacy. The application deadline for the 2014/2015 academic year is April 30, 2014.
The core values of the program are a comprehensive understanding of the subject, integration of theory and practice, emphasis on ethical and environmental dimensions of decision-making, and respect for the multicultural aspects of the international environment. The program is suitable for students with the ability to think both theoretically and analytically, and those who are able to apply the acquired knowledge in practice. The study requirements are advanced knowledge of at least two foreign languages, the ability to understand international processes in their complexity, effective team-work, and motivation to work in the international environment. Graduates are prepared for independent managerial, conceptual and diplomatic work in the current dynamic international environment. They can work as career diplomats, executives of international institutions on the state-wide or regional level, executives in European and international political or economic institutions and organizations, top-level managers and conceptual workers of international projects in NGOs, UN agencies, and other international public or private institutions, research workers, professional analysts, or also employees in mass-media.
In terms of IDS diploma recognition, the Master of IDS is a Czech national degree awarded by the University of Economics, Prague. The diploma and diploma supplement are provided with the ECTS and DS labels by the European Union.
To complete the program, students must pass a study load of 120 European Credits (ECTS). The IDS program offers courses within the economic base (international economic relations), international relations (great powers, Europe/EU, or Asia in international relations), international and diplomatic law, international and political theory (comparative politics, IR theory, and globalization), diplomatic practice (foreign policy making and analysis, contemporary diplomatic practice), etc. As part of the program, students in their 3rd semester are sent for a mandatory semester abroad to be hosted by a partner university (France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Russia, Turkey, USA, etc.).
With regard to the IDS admission procedure, the program is designed for students from all over the world who have completed their bachelor’s education. Previous education in social sciences is an advantage. Applicants complete a long-distance entrance exam held on May 7, 2014 – they are required to send an essay in English on a given international relations issue and a letter of motivation. The tuition fee is 1 800 EUR per semester.
For more details on the IDS program and contacts, please, visit http://ids.vse.cz/.