Master's Degree Programme in International Relations and Development Cooperation (RICS)

• develop specialized training in contemporary international relations, global governance arenas and actors, major geopolitical issues, the spread of democratization processes, the institutions of emerging countries, the cooperation policies of international institutions, economic development policies, and the dynamics of international journalism
• possess specific expertise on the functioning of international economic institutions, issues related to debt and sustainable growth, bilateral, multilateral, decentralized, and non-governmental cooperation policies, relations between emerging countries, regionalization and decentralization processes, techniques for conflict transformation and regulation, political doctrines of global development, and the role of the media and international public opinion
• develop interdisciplinary knowledge and acquire methodological tools to design, coordinate, and implement international cooperation initiatives in the areas of economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental sustainability, and the protection of human rights
• achieve a high level of proficiency in at least two foreign languages

The employment sectors for graduates include organizations, public and private entities, both national and international, economic enterprises and non-profit organizations operating in Italy and abroad, which in various ways engage with the international context and developing countries.

Graduates may also take on positions of responsibility and leadership within organizations representing collective interests (political parties, employer and employee unions, associations for the protection of the environment and human rights), as well as national or supranational associations with humanitarian, cultural, or scientific interests.

The master’s degree program provides training suitable for the following roles:

• Ambassador, executive, and official within the diplomatic service
• Project designer, consultant, and operator in the field of development cooperation
• Manager in the “internationalization” sector for small and medium-sized enterprises
• Expert in humanitarian emergency programs
• Manager in communication, public relations, research and development departments
• Junior officer in international governmental and non-governmental organizations
• Manager 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 the environmental sector
• Consultant in environmental economics and policy within public and private institutions

*The 9 ECTS allocated to foreign language courses include 3 ECTS delivered by a native speaker language instructor.
** Elective activities are autonomously chosen by the student from courses of the same level. The degree programme 

Students can check their study plans to see which courses are compulsory, optional, or elective.

To be admitted to the Master's degree programme in International Relations and Development Cooperation, candidates must hold a three-year university degree or diploma, or another qualification obtained abroad and recognized as suitable. In addition, to enroll in the above-mentioned programme, students must:

• meet the required curricular prerequisites
• pass an entry interview. Candidates may sit the interview only if they meet the curricular requirements.

Curricular prerequisites

For admission to the programme, students must demonstrate prior curricular knowledge totalling 51 ECTS credits in the following academic subject areas:

Any credits exceeding the standard 180 ECTS required for the three-year degree may be included in the calculation, provided they were obtained in courses relating to the academic fields and sectors indicated above. Similarly, relevant language certifications and internship experiences deemed pertinent to the listed areas and sectors may be recognized, if they were not already counted towards the undergraduate degree.

Any additional ECTS credits required to meet the curricular prerequisites must be earned prior to enrolling in the Master's degree programme and prior to the assessment of individual preparation. These credits can be obtained at any university as “single courses” within first-cycle (bachelor’s level) degree programmes.

For information on enrolling in “single courses” at this University, please refer to the Academic Regulations.

The possession of curricular prerequisites will be verified by the University's Degree Programme and Teaching Office. Students may submit their documentation by email to segreteria.laurea@unistrapg.it or deliver it in person to the office (Palazzina Orvieto, Viale C. Manuali, 9 - 06123 Perugia).

For the verification of curricular prerequisites, students must present:

• a copy of their degree certificate (for graduates) including a transcript of exams taken, with the related credits and scientific-disciplinary sectors indicated
• a copy of their transcript of completed and pending exams (for undergraduates), indicating the credits already earned and yet to be earned, as well as the related scientific-disciplinary sectors.