International Relations
The Master's Degree Programme in International Relations is designed to enhance and refine students’ understanding of global dynamics and international relations through an interdisciplinary education that integrates different perspectives and skills.
The programme stands out for its focus on key areas such as diplomacy, international security and Euro-Mediterranean studies, providing the strategic-analytical skills needed to address the complex challenges of the contemporary world.
- The degree class is LM-52 
The Director
Rosario Forlenza
Rosario Forlenza specializes in the history of modern Europe and Italy in its global implications. He works at the intersection of history, politics and anthropology and focuses particularly on democracy and authoritarianism, political revolutions, nationalism and the politics of memory, politics and religion, symbolic politics, and the Cold War. He has written six books, co-edited two volumes, and published over forty peer-reviewed articles and chapters, most notably in The American Historical Review, Past & Present, and Journal of Contemporary History, He is currently working on a comparative history of revolutions from the perspective of political anthropology, on the totalitarian experiences in interwar Russia, Italy, and Germany, and on the global history of Christian Democracy.
The Master's Degree Programme in International Relations is a two-year programme that offers an in-depth analysis of global politics and international relations. The first semester provides a solid theoretical and practical foundation common to all students.
After a first semester of core courses, the program is divided into three majors:
- Diplomacy
- Security
- Euro-Mediterranean Studies
The second year allows students to complete and customise their studies thanks to elective courses and study abroad periods, fostering a flexible approach geared to individual professional objectives.
‎Curriculum
Year I: 2026/2027
Comparative History of Political Systems
This course analyses the historical evolution of the European political systems from the nineteenth century to the present day in a comparative perspective, focusing on the evolution of democracy and the different shapes it has adopted over time.
Comparative Politics
This course analyses in a comparative perspective the political institutions of contemporary democracies, focusing on nation-states, on the functional and institutional differences between nation-states and unions of states, and on the characteristics of non-democratic regimes.
Comparative Public Law
This course analyses the evolution of contemporary constitutionalism on a global scale through a comparative approach. It focuses on traditional and new topics – such as legal transplants and borrowing, the backsliding of the rule of law and the democratic decay.
Research Method for Social Sciences
This course introduces students to approaches, methods, and skills for research in the social and political sciences. Topics include how to define a research question; research ethics; qualitative methods (such as case studies and interviews); quantitative techniques; data analysis methods (such as survey and questionnaire design).
Academic and Professional Communication Skills
This course is an introduction to academic and professional communication, with a focus on key topics and areas of international relations, to enhance students’ skills in academic writing, public speaking, critical thinking, and virtual literacy.
Demography and the Politics of Global Populations
The course aims to provide students with theoretical and methodological knowledge on demography and major geo-demographic trends, with a focus on the interconnections between demographic trends and political, social and economic phenomena.
International Organisations and Global Economic Governance
The course examines the role and function of international economic and political organisations, focusing on how global norms and rules facilitate transnational economic cooperation.
Sociology of Global Politics
This course develops a sociological approach to global politics by moving beyond the focus on states and international organizations, to include non-state actors and social movements. Specific attention is dedicated to local and transnational dynamics related to anthropology, society, culture, and religion.
International Political Theory
This course introduces the recent debates within normative international political theory, focusing on fundamental moral claims, conflicts, and dilemmas that arise in the global context, as well as the ethical responses to them.
Year II: 2027/2028
History of International Relations
This course combines topics from the history and theory of international relations with topics from the history of international institutions, with a focus on the system of international relations since the outbreak of the cold war.
3 Elective courses
Additional Credits
Certificate 1
Certificate 2
Internship or Project Work
Required Second Language
Final Thesis
Total ECTS
Year I: 2026/2027
Comparative History of Political Systems
This course analyses the historical evolution of the European political systems from the nineteenth century to the present day in a comparative perspective, focusing on the evolution of democracy and the different shapes it has adopted over time.
Comparative Politics
This course analyses in a comparative perspective the political institutions of contemporary democracies, focusing on nation-states, on the functional and institutional differences between nation-states and unions of states, and on the characteristics of non-democratic regimes.
Comparative Public Law
This course analyses the evolution of contemporary constitutionalism on a global scale through a comparative approach. It focuses on traditional and new topics – such as legal transplants and borrowing, the backsliding of the rule of law and the democratic decay.
Research Methods for Social Sciences
This course introduces students to approaches, methods, and skills for research in the social and political sciences. Topics include how to define a research question; research ethics; qualitative methods (such as case studies and interviews); quantitative techniques; data analysis methods (such as survey and questionnaire design).
Academic and Professional Communication Skills
This course is an introduction to academic and professional communication, with a focus on key topics and areas of international relations, to enhance students’ skills in academic writing, public speaking, critical thinking, and virtual literacy.
Security and the Economy
The course focuses on the profound role and consequences that economic factors play in national security, countries' strategic interests and international politics.
International Human Rights
The course provides an introduction to human rights and their conceptual and historical foundations, and examines the main legal instruments and international institutions that protect and promote them.
Sociology of Terrorism and Political Violence
International Security
Year II: 2027-2028
Security Law and Constitutional Protection
This course focuses on the ability of constitutional law to guide and limit the exercise of public authority under circumstances of threats to the security of individuals.
3 Elective Courses
Additional Credits
Certificate 1
Certificate 2
Internship or Project Work
Required Second Language
Final Thesis
Total ECTS
Year I: 2026/2027
Comparative History of Political Systems
This course analyses the historical evolution of the European political systems from the nineteenth century to the present day in a comparative perspective, focusing on the evolution of democracy and the different shapes it has adopted over time.
Comparative Politics
This course analyses in a comparative perspective the political institutions of contemporary democracies, focusing on nation-states, on the functional and institutional differences between nation-states and unions of states, and on the characteristics of non-democratic regimes.
Comparative Public Law
This course analyses the evolution of contemporary constitutionalism on a global scale through a comparative approach. It focuses on traditional and new topics – such as legal transplants and borrowing, the backsliding of the rule of law and the democratic decay.
Research Methods for Social Sciences
This course introduces students to approaches, methods, and skills for research in the social and political sciences. Topics include how to define a research question; research ethics; qualitative methods (such as case studies and interviews); quantitative techniques; data analysis methods (such as survey and questionnaire design).
Academic and Professional Communication Skills
This course is an introduction to academic and professional communication, with a focus on key topics and areas of international relations, to enhance students’ skills in academic writing, public speaking, critical thinking, and virtual literacy.
The Political Economy of the Middle East and North Africa
The course adopts the tools and concepts of political economy to examine the transformations, continuities and ruptures in the societies of the Middle East and North Africa.
Demography, Human Rights and Migration
The course aims to provide theoretical, methodological and empirical knowledge on the relationship between demographic trends, migration flows and human rights, with a specific focus on the Euro-Mediterranean area.
Politics of the Middle East and North Africa
This course offers an examination of pivotal factors in the contemporary politics of the modern Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. It brings together empirical knowledge with a critical reading of key texts examining the changing place of the region in global politics.
EU Neighborhood Policy
This course examines the EU neighbourhood policy (ENP), with particular attention to its institutional framework and its relations with EU migration and asylum policies.
Year II: 2028/2029
History and Culture of Mediterranean Countries
This course addresses the field of Mediterranean studies under different disciplinary perspectives. Particular attention is paid to Euro-Mediterranean relations, multiculturalism, the Arab uprisings, as well as economic cooperation in the region.
3 Elective courses
Additional Credits
Certificate 1
Certificate 2
Internship or Project Work
Required Second Language
Final Thesis
Total ECTS
Luiss offers numerous programs for students, which are accessible based on their current or future degree program.
- Dual degree programs for students enrolled in a master's degree program
- Erasmus and International Exchange Programs
- Free Mover Semester Abroad
- Summer Schools Abroad
Discover all the international programs and opportunities for experiences abroad offered by Luiss to enrich your academic and professional journey.
Admission procedures and requirements
Admission to the Degree Course in International Relations represents a unique opportunity to join an academic environment of excellence.
Luiss Guido Carli carefully selects its students, guaranteeing high quality services and the best conditions to facilitate their university journey towards personal and professional growth. Our University puts its students at the centre, offering constant support and personalised attention. 
Find out all the information you need to take the next admission test and start on your path to academic and professional success.
Tuition fees, scholarships and benefits
The annual single tuition fee for enrolment in the Master's Degree Programme in International Relations is € 15,000.00, divided into 3 instalments, plus the regional student welfare tax.*
Luiss offers scholarships and partial or total exemptions from university tuition fees, also thanks to the support of public and private partners.
The University has also entered into agreements with Italian banks to offer flexible loans without collateral.
Check out all the opportunities related to Scholarships and Unsecured Loans.
*The amount of the regional student welfare tax will be decided by the Lazio Region in June/July 2026.
Career paths
The degree programme produces professionals who are well positioned to work in the field of diplomacy, international security and Euro-Mediterranean relations.
Graduates of the programme will be able to pursue careers in international and European organisations, central government and public authorities, think tanks, businesses and non-governmental organisations.
Graduates and Employability
- The employment rate of Luiss graduates one year after graduation is 95%.
- The average time that passes between graduation and one’s first job is 1 month, with 70% of graduates already having a job offer before graduation.
- 12% of graduates work abroad.
- Luiss boasts an active network of over 500 employers: businesses, public and private institutions, and multinationals, which offer graduating students and recent graduates concrete job opportunities.
- In 2024, more than 3,200 placements were made between internships and jobs.
- More than 2,800 one-to-one career guidance meetings were provided to support students and recent graduates in their career paths.
- Over 5,000 students took part in networking and recruiting events, organised during 2024: more than 40 events, including 4 career fairs, with the involvement of over 300 employers and 90 Luiss alumni professionals.
