MA in International Relations and Security
Warsaw, Poland
MA
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English, Polish
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Mar 2026
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
A two-year full-time programme that connects global politics with contemporary security. You’ll analyse foreign policy, conflict and cooperation, then apply tools for risk assessment, crisis management and strategic decision-making. Classes (English or Polish) are run in small, interactive groups with case studies on hybrid threats, cybersecurity, energy and regional security.
The curriculum builds analytical, diplomatic and communication skills—preparing you for roles in public administration, international organisations, business, think-tanks or consulting.
Why should you choose this field?
The current affairs on the global stage have unequivocally proven wrong all theories presaging the impending “end of history”. The era of the global dominance of the West, its disproportionate wealth, military power, and the indolence of its international organisations is slowly coming to an end. The twenty-first century will bear witness to numerous new conflicts, arms races, new geopolitical threats, and a slow yet systematic consolidation of the positions of the developing countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
The new reality has also necessitated a change in the obsolete methods employed in the teaching of Political Science. Our graduates are not just theoreticians, specialists characterised by an exceptionally wide range of competences and above-average analytical skills. They are professional analysts who are able to use scientific bases of research to analyse various phenomena and data, interpret them, and – most importantly – report them in a skilful and understandable way.
This is the right programme for you if:
- You are tired of attending too many theoretical classes and are looking for a field of study that will allow you to gain a wide range of practical skills
- You have an analytical mind and wish to learn techniques which will help you use it
- You are interested in current world affairs
While studying at VIZJA University, you can take advantage of a wide range of financial support from the state budget and European funds, as well as benefit from special discounts with the VIZJA University discount program
You can submit most scholarship applications quickly and easily through your online account.
Scholarship
The scholarship may be awarded to any student who obtained an average grade not lower than 4.8 in an academic year.
In the academic year 2023/2024, VIZJA University awarded 800 Rector’s Scholarships, ranging from PLN 400 /month to PLN 1000 /month, depending on the average or achievements. For outstanding sport, artistic or scientific achievements, the Scholarship Committee awarded scholarships of PLN 600 /month.
Detailed information on the possibility of applying for the Rector’s Scholarship is available in the dean’s system.
Sports Scholarship
A sports scholarship may be awarded to a student who excels in sports achievements at least national level. In addition, we also encourage our students to take part in additional support programs- eg, the National Academic Representation.
Young sportsmen can count on financial support in the amount of PLN 600 /month.
Detailed information on the possibility of applying for a sports scholarship is available in the dean’s system.
Special Scholarships for Disabled People
A scholarship for people with disabilities may be awarded to a student who has a disability certificate, a disability degree certificate, a ZUS certifying physician’s certificate, a disability group certificate or a certificate of permanent or long-term incapacity to work on a farm.
In the 2023/2024 academic year, depending on the degree of disability, 350 scholarships for people with disabilities were awarded, ranging from PLN 1700 /month to PLN 1900 /month.
Detailed information on the possibility of applying for a scholarship for people with disabilities is available in the dean’s system.
The teaching model is focused on major subjects pertaining to the field of Political Sciences and Administration, as well as Security Studies, which will allow you to gain practical skills.
First Year
Right from the start, the programme is replete with specialised major subjects, the aim of which is to provide students with a wide range of knowledge and practical skills in diverse thematic areas.
1st Semester
- Health and Safety
- Economic Growth and Development in Developing Countries
- Problems and Dilemmas of Contemporary Democracies
- Modern World Powers
- Society, Religion, and Culture in International Relations
- Public Diplomacy
- Diplomatic Turnover in International Relations
- World History / Culture and Ethics (Elective)
2nd Semester
- Introduction to International Business
- War and Politics
- International Forecasting and Simulation
- Environment and Natural Resource Policy
- Globalisation and Glocalisation
- Europeanization
- The European Union in International Relations
- Foreign Language (Elective)
- Team Communication / Managerial Skills (Elective)
The courses will be opened provided that a required minimum number of students enrol.
Second Year
From the second year on, students attain a real influence on what they want to study by personally selecting classes they wish to attend from a list of seven pre-defined elective courses. Starting from the 3rd term, students begin working on their MA theses and attending their thesis seminar. During the second year, students are required to do work experience.
3rd Semester
- Migration Management / Crisis Management (Elective)
- Poland’s Security Policy / Organisation and Functioning of the Polish Foreign Service (Elective)
- European Projects / Technologies in International Relations (Elective)
- Geopolitics of Cybersecurity / Security Institutions in International Relations (Elective)
- Decision Games – Challenges and Threats to National Security
- Post-modern Terrorism and Counter-terrorism
- Foreign Language (Elective)
- Master's Seminar
- Internship
4th Semester
- International Crime and Criminal Responsibility in International Law / Problems of Sustainable Development (Elective)
- Global Health Policy Issues / Energy and Climate Policy (Elective)
- Euroscepticism / Public Participation in the Smart City (Elective)
- Management in International Markets
- Master's Seminar
- Internship
The courses will be opened provided that a required minimum number of students enrol.
The content of the study program may change as a result of efforts to improve the quality of education and adapt the teaching offer to the current challenges of the labour market. Each change is approved by the University Senate and introduced with the aim of preparing students for their future careers in the best possible way.
Regardless of whether you see yourself, in the future, working for national, regional or local authorities, or rather for the private sector, during your studies you will gain a wide range of practical skills and competences which will allow you to take up a job in your dream profession.
Career paths will become available to you, such as political expert, diplomat, public official, data analyst, expert in strategic management, forecasting specialist, risk analyst, risk manager, or journalist.