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

• 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

*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.

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:

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.