The University of Milan

Bachelor's Degree in International Politics, Law and Economics (IPLE)

1° Course Year

• Comparative social systems
• Contemporary history
• Data analysis
• History of political theories
• Logic and critical thinking
• Microeconomics
• Political science
• Public law

2° Course Year

• International law
• International macroeconomics
• International relations
• Statistics
• Writing and communication skills

3° Course Year

• Final exam   

Knowledge and understanding

The general part of the Bachelor program, which takes place in the first year and in part of the second year, aims to provide students with a solid basic knowledge of the various subject areas. Among the expected learning outcomes, primary importance is given to acquiring an appropriate knowledge of the principles, theories, and fundamental concepts, as well as the terminology in the areas of political science, economics, law, sociology, and history. An international and comparative perspective will be followed, notably through the courses in international economics, international law, international relations, history of international relations, and comparative social and political systems. Students are also expected to acquire an adequate command of research methods in the relevant disciplines. Particular attention is given to the enhancement of general reasoning and argumentation competencies also through an introductory course in logic during the first year and linguistic skills both through foreign language courses and the use of the English language for all teaching activities. Each course usually includes the study of the introductory elements, appropriate forms of in-depth analysis, and possible tutorials and seminars. The expected learning outcomes are achieved and assessed through multiple teaching tools, such as lectures, tutorials, seminars, and group work. The overall assessment of knowledge and understanding is done through written or oral exams.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding

The Bachelor program maintains a multidisciplinary approach in each of the two curricula. The courses aim to guide students in applying the theoretical knowledge and methodologies acquired, with particular reference to law, political science, and economics, in the identification and analysis of concrete issues. These may concern both the macro-level i.e., the context of international political or economic relations, and the micro-level i.e., State, local authorities, companies, or NGOs. Graduates shall be able to develop and support reasoned and constructive arguments and to deal with issues that are presented to them from a problem-solving perspective. Innovative teaching methods contribute to the acquisition of such skills, involving the active participation of students through tutorials and group work. The ability to apply knowledge and understanding is assessed both by observing and guiding the student's group work, through written or oral exams requiring the student to solve practical cases, and through the guidance of students in the preparation of their final essay.

Making judgements

The Bachelor program aims to enable students to acquire the ability to gather and interpret information and data concerning economic, legal, political, social, and historical issues and, on that basis, to develop autonomous judgments from a multidisciplinary perspective. In this view, it is key the participation to seminars, workshops, and laboratories in which students can have an active role in expressing their opinions, consistently with the empirical evidence and their theoretical knowledge. Furthermore, the final dissertation is an essential opportunity for graduating students to develop their capacities and independent judgments.

Communication skills

English as the ordinary working language in the teaching activities enables students to improve their skills in that language which is essential for communication in the international economic, political, and social environment. Learning and testing communication skills are part of the ordinary activities of the study program, especially the student's presentations and papers prepared during the courses, seminars, laboratories, and written and oral exams. In addition, the engaging dialogue with the supervisor during the preparation of the final thesis offers another contribution to the development of communication skills.

Learning skills

The educational program enables the student to develop an attitude to learning and constant updating, which are essential for acquiring with elevated autonomy further skills and knowledge needed both in a professional environment and in advanced studies, particularly in Master's Degree programs. Laboratories contribute to the development of learning skills, especially those engaging students with autonomous activities aimed at gathering information and data, using both material and digital resources, and elaborating reports.

Administrative officers at diplomatic and consular missions and at international organizations

Function in a work context: The professions included in this category carry out support functions to the activities a) of the representative staff in service at diplomatic and consular posts and b) of the highest-level officials of international organizations, with particular regard to European regional institutions. These employees participate in the management of the activities of the offices where they are employed; analyze the information held by the offices for the formulation of proposals and opinions to the executives on whom they depend; sub a), contribute to the management of political relations with the host State, also by providing assistance in the identification and correct interpretation of the relevant legal provisions, and participate in the promotion of commercial, scientific and cultural relations carried out by consulates abroad; sub b), contribute to the activity of the offices and departments of international organizations, as well as to the consultations between higher-level officials and representatives of States. They are able to use two foreign languages, even in the sectors covered.

Skills associated with the function: These operators have the ability to identify, understand, analyze, and propose solutions to relevant political and legal issues in interstate relations.

Employment opportunities: Italian diplomatic and consular representations abroad and of foreign states in Italy; intergovernmental, universal, and regional (in particular, European) organizations.

Officials of public and private companies who deal with commercial relations with foreign countries

Function in a work context: The professional figures referred to in this profile are those of employees of public and private companies; some of these figures are particularly aimed at the European sphere. They are entrusted with support tasks for the management of commercial relations with foreign countries. In particular, they provide administrative services and assist specialists in identifying foreign suppliers or clients and in concluding contracts with them for the supply of goods or services. They collaborate in the correct execution of contracts and maintain relations with foreign suppliers/customers.

Skills associated with the function: These operators know the reference legal framework (national and international, in particular, the regulation of the single European market), have the ability to analyze and resolve issues related to the marketing of goods and services abroad, and, finally, to use technical languages or specific.

Employment opportunities: Industrial and tertiary sector companies operating in the public or private sector.

International relations officers in public and private offices and in NGO organizations

Function in a work context: The professions included in this category participate in the promotion and management of institutional relationships with foreign counterparts (located in Europe and also outside Europe) for the public or private sector and for non-governmental organizations. This type of employee performs support functions through the analysis of documents and all the information held in the offices, as well as searching for further elements of information, useful for the preparation of proposals and/or preliminary dossiers for making decisions. They also participate, with functions of responsibility, in the planning and organization of meetings and conferences, and follow up their follow-up.

Skills associated with the function: These operators have the ability to participate in the planning, initiation, and management of close links with foreign bodies of the entities in which they are employed and, consequently, to interact with foreign counterparts. They are able to carry out research in the legal, political, and social fields, useful for defining strategies for the promotion of institutional relations with foreign countries.

Employment opportunities: State and local government offices, universities and research institutions, private companies, and non-governmental organizations.

Analysts of economic, political, and social processes

Function in a work context: The professionals included here carry out studies and research to support the strategies of private and public organizations. These can concern both the organization itself, and the field in which it operates, and the procedural aspects that involve it. These figures autonomously manage and coordinate the collection of information for the analyses they conduct, and produce research reports and dossiers functional to the choices of the organizations in which they operate.

Skills associated with the function: The analyst of economic, political, and social processes has disciplinary knowledge relating to the area in which he operates which allows him to interpret the complexity of the phenomena analyzed, and which are combined with skills in the systematic analysis of information, especially thanks to the use of appropriate statistical techniques.

Employment opportunities: Head of studies and research in companies, analyst of processes, junior researcher in research institutes, employee of the research office in parties, trade unions, and business associations, head of research in public bodies and public service companies, or in NGOs.

Officials of public administrations at national or local level

Function in a work context: The professions included in this category carry out functions of analysis and evaluation of policies, production of internal reports, and tasks of support to the work of management in the context of national and local public administrations which have to deal more or less regularly with issues and policies of international and global scale.

Skills associated with the function: These operators have the ability to carry out research in the economic and institutional fields, to make comparisons appropriately, and to model the problems in order to allow a systematic analysis of processes and policies of competence of the administration to which they belong, and to monitor their implementation in progress and the results.

Employment opportunities: Public offices at different levels of government equipped with research and evaluation facilities.

Technicians of the organization and management of production factors

Function in a work context: The professional figures included in this section are concerned with the monitoring of processes within companies and organisations, analyzing the use of capital, human and logistical resources and of all the factors used in production processes. These tasks are intended both for the constant evaluation of the quality of the processes, also with a view to certification, and for the identification of strategies for improvement and reallocation of resources.

Skills associated with the function: These professional figures apply the knowledge relating to the economy, institutions, and complex organizations provided in the course of study, together with the data analysis and information processing skills guaranteed by laboratories and quantitative courses.

Employment opportunities: Management analyst, time and methods controller, work organization technician