Master's degree in International Relations (IR)

One master's degree, three pathways

The International Relations master's degree offers three professionalizing pathways, arranged around a common core:

• Preparation for competitive examinations in diplomacy and the armed forces
• Strategic cultures
• International solidarity

Teachings are delivered, in equal numbers, by teacher-researchers specializing in the students' different areas of study, and by professionals in diplomacy, humanitarian action and strategic issues. The graduates are specialists in international relations who, after graduation and thanks to their dual skills, are able to take up positions in diplomacy, defense and strategic analysis, specialized media (press agencies), partnerships and international communications within public administrations, international organizations, non-governmental organizations or the international management of companies.

Opening up to research

In M2, students in all three courses can opt for a "Research" option, replacing the internship with the writing of a dissertation, likely to open up the possibility of continuing their studies towards a doctoral course. They can also choose to write a prospective study or applied research, in parallel with an internship in a think-tank or research institute.

Professionalization

The M2 year can be completed in alternance as part of an apprenticeship contract in public administration, an international organization, an NGO or a company, in line with the general objectives of the course.

At the end of each year of training in M1 and M2, students (excluding sandwich students for M2) complete a compulsory internship lasting 3 to 6 months, which enables them to put into practice the theoretical and linguistic knowledge and cross-disciplinary skills acquired during the year and take their first steps in a professional sector.

In addition to coursework, each semester includes a compulsory internship and internship report in M1, and an internship and internship report or research dissertation in M2.

Admission requirements

Application deadline: February 26 to March 24, 2024.

Admission criteria (30 students per class)

Admission criteria for the International Relations master's degree are as follows:

• precise professional project
• licence in Oriental language and civilization (or equivalent) + political science/international relations
• fundamentals acquired in law, economics, history of European construction and international relations, political science, comparative political systems, and/or geopolitics.
• fundamentals in civilization of area of specialization
• level C1 in Oriental language
• level C1 in English + for foreign students: level C1-C2 in French

M2 International Relations admission campaign

The M2 International Relations admission campaign will take place on the eCandidat1 platform: candidatures.inalco.fr

Required documents:

• application form to be completed and scanned (downloadable from the eCandidat platform)
• updated CV (1 page)
• letter of motivation and professional project (1 page)
• transcripts transcripts for the first semester of the current year
• copy of diploma(s) obtained since the baccalauréat
• transcripts of diploma(s) obtained since the baccalauréat

In addition, for foreign applicants:

• attestation of level C1-C2 in French (for students without a French state diploma)
• sworn translation of documents supplied not written in French or English

Applicants may finally, if they wish, attach one or more letter(s) of recommendation (optional).

Training calendar

The International Relations Master's calendar differs from the general Inalco calendar. Each semester lasts 10 weeks. The second semester ends in mid-April to allow students to go on internships.

In Master's courses, attendance is compulsory to guarantee better results. In the event of more than two unjustified absences per semester, the student is automatically declared "failing" at the first session. They will have to sit their exams in the second session.

The examination system is based on continuous assessment. The semester is passed if each teaching unit is validated with a mark equal to or higher than 10/20. There is no compensation between teaching units, nor between semesters.

Semesters include, in addition to teaching, a dissertation (in M1), an internship and a mandatory internship report (in M1 and M2).