
The Master’s Degree Programme in International Relations and Development Cooperation, offered by the Department of International Human and Social Sciences, prepares professionals with multidisciplinary expertise and strong analytical and operational skills, suitable for careers in international, governmental and non-governmental organizations, European institutions, public administrations and national agencies, and private enterprises active in international markets. The programme also aims to train highly qualified professionals in the fields of diplomacy and international relations, with a particular focus on development cooperation—including cooperation with emerging countries—as well as in the protection of human rights and environmental safeguarding.
Course Information
- to develop specialized knowledge in contemporary international relations, in the arenas and actors of global governance, in major geopolitical issues, in the spread of democratization processes, in the institutions of emerging countries, in the cooperation policies of international institutions, in economic development policies, and in the dynamics of international journalism
- to possess specific expertise in the functioning of international economic institutions, in issues related to debt and sustainable growth, in bilateral, multilateral, decentralized, and non-governmental cooperation policies, in relations between emerging countries, in processes of regionalization and decentralization, in techniques of conflict transformation and regulation, in political doctrines of global development, and in the role of international media and public opinion
- to develop interdisciplinary knowledge and acquire methodological tools useful for designing, coordinating, and implementing international cooperation initiatives in the areas of economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental sustainability, and the protection of human rights
- to achieve a high level of proficiency in at least two foreign languages
Graduates may find employment in organizations, public and private entities, national and international, as well as economic enterprises and non-profit organizations operating both in Italy and abroad, which in various ways engage in international contexts and with developing countries.
Graduates can also hold positions of responsibility and leadership within organizations representing collective interests (political parties, employers' and workers' unions, associations for the protection of the environment and human rights), as well as national or supranational associations of a humanitarian, cultural, or scientific nature.
The Master’s degree program prepares graduates for the following roles:
- Ambassador, executive, and officer in the diplomatic service
- Designer, consultant, and practitioner in the field of development cooperation
- Manager in the “internationalization” sector of small and medium-sized enterprises
- Expert in humanitarian emergency programs
- Manager in communication, public relations, research, and development structures
- Junior officer in international governmental and non-governmental organizations
- Head of internal and external communication in multinational companies and international groups
- Public relations specialist
- Political science specialist and international analyst
- Expert in institutional communication
- Manager in national and international environmental protection agencies
- Expert in cooperation and environmental projects
- Disaster manager, risk manager in environmental sectors
- Consultant in environmental economics and policy in public and private institutions
| SSD | Courses | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Year | ||
| GIUR-11/B | Comparative Constitutional Law | 6 |
| ECON-02/A | International Economic Policy | 6 |
HIST-03/A HIST-03/A | One elective exam from: History of Peace Processes (not offered in 2026-2027) History and Culture of Migrations | 6 |
GSPS-02/A GSPS-04/B | Politics and History of International Relations (Integrated course): International Politics (9 ECTS) History of International Relations (6 ECTS) | 15 |
| GSPS-03/A | Political Thought on Globalization | 6 |
| GSPS-04/C | International Relations and Development in Africa | 6 |
| ANGL-01/C | Diplomatic English | 9* |
GSPS-02/A GSPS-04/B | Elective activities** Institution, Politics and Policies of the European Union (6 ECTS) Political Risk in Global Politics: Analysis and Methods (6 ECTS) Workshop: Approaches to Empires in Modern History of Africa: From Colonialism to Globalization (3 ECTS) | 6 |
| Total 1st Year | 60 | |
| 2nd Year | ||
GIUR-09/A GIUR-09/A | One elective exam from: International Environmental Law Advanced International Law | 6 |
IIND-07/B CEAR-01/B GLOT-01/A GSPS-02/A | One integrated elective course from: Sustainable International Strategies for Energy and Water (Integrated course): Strategies for Energy (6 ECTS) Strategies for Water (6 ECTS) Or Language and Communication in Peacebuilding (Integrated course): Language and Human Rights (6 ECTS) Foundations of Peacebuilding (6 ECTS) | 12 |
| GSPS-05/A | Sociology of International Journalism | 6 |
| SPAN-01/C | Language and Institutions of Spanish-speaking Countries | 9* |
| Elective activities** Workshop: New Forms of International Cooperation: Project Design and Management (3 ECTS) Workshop: Information Geographic System (3 ECTS) | 3 | |
| Internship | 6 | |
| Final Exam | 18 | |
| Total 2nd Year | 60 |
*The 9 ECTS for foreign language courses include 3 ECTS completed with a native speaker language instructor.
** Elective activities can be chosen independently by the student among equivalent level degree programmes of the Course of Study
Students can check their study plans to see which courses are compulsory, optional, or elective.
First semester
Comparative Constitutional Law - prof. Francesco Duranti
History and Culture of Migrations - prof. Gianluca Gerli
Workshop: Approaches to Empires in Modern African History: from Colonialism to Globalization - prof.ssa Federica Guazzini
International Relations and Development in Africa - prof.ssa Federica Guazzini
Second semester
Diplomatic English - prof. Renato Tomei - Dr. Loredana Fabbri
Institutions, Politics and Policies of the European Union - prof.ssa Cecilia Emma Sottilotta
Political Thought of Globalization - prof. Salvatore Cingari
International Economic Policy - prof. Filippo Sbrana
Political Risk in Global Politics: Analysis and Methods - prof.ssa Cecilia Emma Sottilotta
Politics and History of International Relations (integrated course):
- International Politics - prof. Emidio Diodato
- History of International Relations - prof. Federico Niglia
First semester
Advanced International Law - Prof. Maura Marchegiani
International Environmental Law -Prof. Ottavio Quirico
Laboratory: Geographic Information Systems - Prof. Chiara Biscarini
Laboratory: New Forms of International Cooperation: Project Design and Management - Prof. Federica Guazzini
Language and Communication in Peacebuilding (integrated exam – annual)
- Foundations of Peacebuilding - Prof. Carlo Belli
Sociology of International Journalism - Prof. Matteo Gerli
Second semester
Language and Institutions of Spanish-Speaking Countries -Prof. Giovanna Scocozza - Dr. Maria Luisa Sevilla Garcia-Montiel
Language and Communication in Peacebuilding (integrated exam – annual)
- Language and Human Rights - Prof. Stefania Scaglione
Sustainable International Strategies for Energy and Water (integrated course)
- Strategies for Energy - Prof. Francesco Asdrubali
- Strategies for Water - Prof. Chiara Biscarini
The programmes from previous academic years are available in the archive.
To be admitted to the Master’s degree programme in International Relations and Development Cooperation, candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree, a three-year university diploma, or an equivalent qualification obtained abroad and recognised as valid. In addition, candidates must:
- meet the specified curricular requirements
- pass an entry interview. Candidates may only take the interview if they meet the curricular requirements.
Curricular requirements
In order to enrol in the programme, candidates must have prior curricular knowledge amounting to a total of 51 ECTS credits (CFU) in the following academic subject areas:
| Subject Areas | Academic Disciplines (SSD) | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| Historical, Philosophical, Pedagogical, and Psychological Sciences | M-STO/01-02-03-04-05-06-07 M-GGR/01-02 M-FIL/05-06-08 M-DEA/01 M-PSI/01-05-06 | 6 |
| Economic and Statistical Sciences | SECS-P/01-02-03-04-06-07-08-09-10-11-12 SECS-S/01-02-03-04-05-06 | 6 |
| Political and Social Sciences | SPS/01-02-03-04-05-06-07-08-09-10-11-12-13-14 | 18 |
| Legal Sciences | IUS/01-02-03-04-05-07-08-09-10-11-13-14-15-16-17-20-21 | 9 |
| Foreign Languages | L-LIN/03-04-05-06-07-08-09-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19-20-21 L-OR/09-10-12-15-21-22-23 | 12 |
Credits exceeding the 180 typically required for a Bachelor’s degree may be counted, provided they have been earned in courses relating to the areas and disciplines listed above. Recognised language certifications and relevant internship experiences, if not already counted towards the Bachelor’s degree, may also be included in the credit calculation, provided they pertain to the stated subject areas.
Any additional credits necessary to meet these curricular requirements must be obtained prior to enrolment in the Master’s degree programme and before the assessment of individual preparation. These credits can be earned at any university, in the form of “single courses” within Level I (Bachelor’s) study programmes.
For information on how to enrol in “single courses” at this University, please refer to the academic regulations.
The fulfilment of curricular requirements will be verified by the university’s Student Administration and Teaching Office. Students may submit their documentation via email to segreteria.laurea@unistrapg.it or deliver it in person to the office (Palazzina Orvieto, Viale C. Manuali, 9 - 06123 Perugia).
To have their curricular requirements assessed, students must present:
- a copy of the degree certificate (for graduates), including a list of exams passed with the corresponding credits and relevant academic subject areas
- a copy of the transcript of exams passed and to be passed (for graduating students), indicating both acquired and outstanding credits and the corresponding academic subject areas.
Except in cases of exemption, international students requiring a visa are required to have Italian language proficiency at B2 level of the CEFR.
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Notices
Timetable for the second semester a.y. 2025-2026
The schedules for the second semester of the 2025-2026 academic year have been published.
Internship Day (final repeat)
Dedicated to the students in their final year of the ITAS and DHI degree courses.
Thursday, February 12, 2026, from 08:00 to 13:30
Online on Microsoft Teams
Suspension of educational activities 03/04/2026 ITAS Year I
This is to inform you that on March 4, 2026, classes for the first year of the ITAS Master's Degree program are suspended due to a meeting for first-year students at the Farnesina with Minister Tajani. The classes will be made up during the semester.
Check II semester schedules
As the start of classes approaches, students are advised to check the published schedule as it may have undergone some minor changes.
Postponement of the beginning of classes - Prof. Siriana Sgavicchia
The Contemporary Italian Literature classes, COMIP first year, will begin on March 4th.
Postponement of the start of lessons - Prof. Siriana Sgavicchia
The Contemporary Italian Literature classes, ITAS second year, will begin on March 3rd.
Postponement of class start - Prof. Siriana Sgavicchia
The lessons of Contemporary Italian Literature, LICIMOD second year, will begin on March 4th.
Postponement of lesson start - Prof. Siriana Sgavicchia
The lessons of Contemporary Italian Literature, DHI third year, Prof.ssa Sgavicchia, will begin on March 4th.
Postponement of class start - Prof. Gerli
The lessons on Political Communication in Multicultural Society will begin on March 10th.
Postponement of lesson start - Prof. Gerli
The International Journalism Sociology classes will begin on March 10
Postponement of lesson start - External expert
The lecture by the External Expert of the Laboratory: Languages of Digital Design will begin on March 11.
Postponement of class start - Prof.ssa Lombezzi
The Arabic Language and Civilization classes will begin on March 11th.