MA in the Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean Studies
DURATION
3 up to 6 Semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
31 Jul 2025*
EARLIEST START DATE
Oct 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 2,500
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning, On-Campus
* * 31 July 2025 (non-Greek applicants) / 1 September 2025 (Greek applicants)
Key Summary
Introduction
The MA in Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean Studies: Culture and International Relations Programme is being offered by the School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Economics of the University Center of International programs of Studies of the International Hellenic University. The programme is based on an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the history and culture of the Black Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean region, offering two specialization streams:
- Archaeology and Cultures stream, and
- International Relations and History stream.
The Black Sea region and the Eastern Mediterranean basin with their special geophysical and cultural characteristics, are gaining significance as a geopolitical link between Europe and Asia. The important natural resources and the crucial position of these regions at the hub of international routes have aroused the interest of many nations over the ages, leading to numerous events of great cultural and historical significance. The Black Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean constitute two great international gateways of considerable importance for Europe as well as for Asia and the East. Over the last few decades, research institutions and university departments all over the world have promoted research programs concentrating on these regions with such rich scientific material.
The courses are taught exclusively in English. The academics teaching in the program come from universities both abroad and in Greece.
With its two streams on “Archaeology and Cultures” and “International Relations and History”, the MA in “Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean Studies: Culture and International Relations” provides specialized education in diverse areas of interest such as Archaeology, Ethnography, Historical Geography, Art, Religion, Mythology, History, International Relations, Politics, and Diplomacy. The MA in “Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean Studies: Culture and International Relations” promotes learning and teaching characterized by a diversity of teaching methods.
Schedule
The MA program is a 3-semester full-time program of study. It is taught mainly on weekdays over three-hour teaching periods. The first two semesters cover the core courses of the program. Each teaching term has 13 teaching weeks followed by a 10-day exam period. The third period is taken up with work on the Master’s dissertation. The program is also available in part-time mode. The program is also available in distance learning mode.
Gallery
Ideal Students
The MA in Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean Studies accepts, after a careful selection process, graduates of History, Archaeology, Social Sciences, Humanities, Political Sciences, Geography, International Relations, Theology, Journalism, Balkan, Mediterranean or Oriental Studies and other related subject areas, from Greek universities or equivalent institutions from abroad and from Technological Educational Institutions of related subject areas according to Law 4485/2017 and 4610/2019, as applicable.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
- To be eligible for the Academic excellence scholarship, candidates need to provide evidence of academic excellence such as a first-class bachelor's degree or an official document from the School that they have been among the top 5% of the graduates of their class.
- The Tuition fee exemption in accordance with Law 4957/2022 concerns only Greek citizens.
- The additional funding is for IHU graduates of the School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Economics, or of other Schools of the University Center of International Programmes of Studies (UCIPS) who decide to attend a second postgraduate programme of the School, and for IHU students who are studying at the same time and are second-degree relatives (siblings).
The previous year there were also tuition fee discounts based on specific criteria for specific programmes, announced on the programme’s page (tab: Fees and Financing). For the upcoming intakes, there is no such announcement yet, for any update we will keep you informed.
Curriculum
First Semester
- Historical Geography and Cartography of the Black Sea in Antiquity
- Alexander the Great and the Formation of a New World
- International Relations in the Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean Region
- The Black Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean from the 19th until the end of the 20th century
Second Term
- Archaeology and Cultures Stream - Stream Elective Courses (4 out of 6)
- Topics in the Prehistoric Archaeology of the Black Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean
- Ancient Art and Monumental Topography in the Black Sea
- Ancient Religion and Mythology in the Black Sea
- Historical and Cultural Aspects of the Black Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean in the Hellenistic and Roman periods
- Topics in Byzantine and Islamic Art in the Black Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean
- Excavation
- International Relations and History Stream
Third Semester
- Conflicting National Strategies: Georgia-Russia, Ukraine-Russia, Armenia-Azerbaijan, Greece-Turkey-Cyprus
- War and Revolution in the Middle East: From the Arab-Israeli Conflict to the Arab Spring
- The Hellenism in the Black Sea countries
- Classical Geopolitics, Energy and Security Dilemmas in a Historical Perspective
- Political Islam between three Continents
- Mass Violence and Population Transfers in 20th and 21st centuries
- Archival Research and Internship in Historical Archives
The Dissertation
As a part of the MA program, students work on a subject relating to their academic interests and stream specialization. The Master’s dissertation provides a good opportunity to apply theory and concepts learned in different courses to a Black Sea-related issue or challenge. The Master’s dissertation tests students’ ability both to apply a certain methodology and approach in the analysis of a given problem and to demonstrate reasonably original research or fieldwork.
A member of the academic faculty supervises students throughout their projects. The supervision is delivered through face-to-face meetings at the University and through the e-learning platform of the University.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
The MA program offers a critical and multifarious study of the Black Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean region, from ancient history and archaeology to art, politics, international relations, and modern diplomacy. The graduates develop the competencies and the ability to comprehend and discuss works of ancient to comprehend international relations, political, economic, and historical data. The skills obtained to allow them to work in Educational Institutions and Academies concentrating on Black Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean region, Archaeological Departments and Research Institutes, Museums as well as the Diplomatic Corps or other state services, corporations, or NGOs, which have interests in the Black Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean.