Program Overview

Master of International Relations

The Master of International Relations (MIR) is considered the first of its kind to be offered in the UAE's higher education sector. The program provides students with advanced theoretical studies, knowledge, and skills in one of the most in-demand areas in the UAE. It aims to qualify its graduates to occupy diplomatic positions in their country.

About the Program

The Master of International Relations program is designed to enhance knowledge about key issues and up-to-date developments in the international relations field. The program aims to:

• Enhance knowledge about key issues and up-to-date developments in the international relations field
• Develop knowledge and experience in the international relations field, in the UAE, and the Gulf
• Provide the main theories in the IR field and enhance critical thinking skills
• Provide analytical research skills in structures, processes, and politics internationally and transnationally
• Develop the ability to apply theoretical knowledge in understanding contemporary international relations
• Develop the international experience of the students

Program Objectives

MIR graduates will be able to:

• Critically evaluate the major theoretical and analytical perspectives within the field of international relations
• Apply theoretical, conceptual, and methodological approaches to contemporary International Relations issues
• Demonstrate critical thinking and analytical skills to address complex international relations challenges in regional and global contexts
• Apply appropriate foreign policy decision-making models to analyze and explain foreign policy choices
• Communicate complex international relations issues and/or conduct research and provide reports

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the Master of International Relations program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• An authenticated and officially approved bachelor's degree in a directly related discipline, with a minimum CGPA of 3.0 on a 4.00-point scale, from an accredited university recognized by the UAE's Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
• English language proficiency requirements: TOEFL (IBT) 79 or the ITP 550 (taken at Amideast) or Academic IELTS 6.0, taken no more than two years before admission.

Conditional Admission

Applicants may be granted conditional admission in the following cases:

• If the English TOEFL score is between 530 and 549 (or its equivalent using the standardized tests approved by the Ministry), the student must meet the following requirements during the period of conditional admission or be subject to dismissal:
  • Register for a maximum of 6 credit hours in the first semester of study
  • Achieve a TOEFL score of 550 or equivalent by the end of the first semester of study
  • Achieve a minimum CGPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent in the first 6 credit hours of credit-bearing courses studied for the master's program
• If the English TOEFL score is equal to or above 550 (or its equivalent using the standardized tests approved by the Ministry) and a CGPA between 2.50 and 2.99, the student must fulfill the following requirements or be subject to dismissal:
  • Take a maximum of 9 credit hours of the graduate program courses during the conditional admission period
  • Achieve a minimum CGPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or its established equivalent.
• Students with a recognized bachelor's degree and a minimum CGPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale or its established equivalent may take a maximum of 9 graduate-level credit hours as remedial preparation for the master's program. These courses do not count toward the CGPA of the master's degree, but the student must achieve a minimum CGPA of 3.0 in these remedial courses to move to direct admission.
• If the first degree is not directly related to the program, applicants may be required to complete some or all Pre-Core courses before being granted regular admission.
• Students can take these Pre-Core courses even if the language conditions are not met.
• Applicants who graduated from universities outside the UAE must submit an Equivalency letter from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research by the end of the first semester. If the conditionally admitted student fails to submit the Equivalency letter during the first semester, their accounts will be deactivated, and they will not be allowed to register for the following semester.

Program Structure

The Master of International Relations program consists of:

• Compulsory Core: 27 credit hours
• Thesis: 6 credit hours
• Total: 33 credit hours

Program Details

• Type: Postgraduate
• Credit Hours: 33
• Duration: 18 months
• Language: English
• Study mode: Full Time, Part Time
• Intake: Spring, Fall, Winter
• Delivery mode: Evening
• Campuses: Abu Dhabi