The Master of International Relations program offers an interdisciplinary approach to the study of international relations from a social science perspective. The program addresses major international issues, which transcends national boundaries with a strong focus on sustainability and global and regional governance. The Master of International Relations gives you the opportunity to begin a career in various international settings, whether your interests are strategic, managerial, policy-related, or all of the above. You will become familiar with different theoretical approaches to the study of international relations and learn to analyze international issues from an interdisciplinary perspective. You will benefit from the experience of working in an intercultural environment both during the semesters at AAU and during your internship or study abroad period.

Teaching at Aalborg University is always research-based. It is organized around two different types of activities:

• Lectures, seminars and workshops
• Problem-based learning (PBL) in group-oriented project work

The pedagogical model at AAU is based on problem-centred studies organized around written projects. Students work in groups of 3 to 6 members from the study program. As a starting point, the group identifies a real-life problem and creates a problem formulation of a theoretical or practical nature related to the central themes of the study program. Under supervision from a staff member, the student groups then collect, collate, and analyze data using relevant theorical frameworks. The end product is a well-designed project-report written by the group members. At the end of each semester, the project report is evaluated by the supervisor of the group together with an external or internal examiner at an oral exam.

Project work generally accounts for 50% of the study time while the other 50% is devoted to lectures, seminars, and workshops, serving as inspiration for the project work.

The International Relations program (120 ECTS) consists of four semesters.

The first semester (September to January) focuses on international politics and institutions and contains three modules as well as other activities such as a simulation game about a current issue, and a theme day with a topic that cuts across the three profiles e.g. international migration.

First semester modules:  

• Research design and project work (10 ECTS)
• International Politics and diplomacy (10 ECTS)
• Electives/profile module (10 ECTS)

The second semester (February to June) focuses on sustainability and global governance, and also provides the students with very concrete skills for their future career through the project management module. This module also includes a solution camp as well as site visits to local companies and organizations.

• Sustainability and project management (10 ECTS)
• Project module (10 ECTS)
• Electives/profile module (10 ECTS)

The third semester (September to January) is normally spent as an intern in an international organization or studying at another university. The semester also includes a thesis preparation module, where you will be working with thesis methodology and on crystalizing your ideas for your thesis topic.

• Project oriented course (Internship) or Study Period Abroad (25 ECTS)
• Thesis preparation (5 ECTS)

The fourth semester (February to June) is centered on writing your final master's thesis either alone or in a group in collaboration with a supervisor. The thesis topic is determined by you, but has to be related to the subject areas of the IR program. The thesis is evaluated at an oral exam.  

• Master’s Thesis (30 ECTS)

View the curriculum here: Curriculum for the Master's Programme in International Relations, 2022 (aau.dk)

The European Union (EU) is not only one of the main players on the international scene, but also the most important economic and political frame for the 27 EU Member States. With the two EU elective courses you will acquire:

• An in-depth understanding of the EU, ranging from its legal and decision-making system to its institutions and interactions with its engagement with civil society (Course on EU-Polity & Politics, 1th semester)
• A comprehensive knowledge of the Union’s different internal and external policies and how to approach and analyze these (Course on EU Policy, 2th semester)

In addition, you will be able to do your internship and write your master’s thesis within an EU-related area (broadly understood). This will provide you with specific competences, skills and a profile that can make the difference when looking for a job after graduation.

By choosing this track, your job opportunities may include working in international and national governmental organizations, municipalities, private companies and interest organizations which work analytically and/or strategically with topics related to the EU.

Global Gender Studies will provide you with knowledge about and insight into the area of gender and global studies and will include discussions of specific cases and case studies in which gender and struggles for equality and social justice can be understood from local, regional and global perspectives (including in the context of institutions such as the EU and the UN). Specific emphasis will be placed on the history of gender and equality policies within the fields of development and international relations, on possibilities and limitations of international law and human rights, and on analyses of gender and equality policies in various contexts and parts of the world.

You will also be introduced to gender perspectives on global governance and global democracy. Global governance signals a particular interest in the management of transnational issues by international organizations, other non-state actors and sovereign states with a particular focus on informal processes and activities of governing. Contemporary challenges to global governance include amongst others democratic problems of legitimacy, authority and accountability as well as trends towards increased nationalism, populism and de-democratization. Gender perspectives upon global governance will here be discussed from 'top-down', 'bottom-up' and transnational perspectives.

By choosing this track, your job opportunities may include working in international and national governmental organizations, municipalities, private companies and NGOs which work analytically, strategically, and/or practically within the area of gender and equality.

Global China Studies will provide students with a complex understanding of the role China plays in today’s globalized world. You will be introduced to both Chinese and Western perspectives on China’s rise and its implications for global governance from both national and transnational vantage points. Focus will be on political, economic and cultural aspects of China’s engagement with the world, and will include themes such as:

• Chinese self-perception, Chinese perceptions of international relations and global perceptions of China
• China’s political system with a specific focus on Chinese foreign policy
• China’s position in the current international world order and China’s engagement with international institutions
• China’s role in the global economy and international business
• China’s relationship with specific countries or regions, i.e. the EU, the United States of America, Africa and China’s East Asian neighbours.
• People-to-people contact and the role of non-state actors in China’s international engagement

By choosing this track, your job opportunities may include working in international and national governmental organizations, private companies, and NGOs working with political, economic and cultural aspects of China’s engagement with the world.

Global Refugee Studies gives you an understanding of how the world creates and responds to refugees and forced migration. We explore how this is connected to larger development processes, political, social, and economic changes, and globalization. You will gain insights into both internal and international migration in relation to conflicts, oppression, security, natural disasters, environmental changes, poor development, poverty, asylum, and politics.

Focusing on forced migration, you gain in-depth understanding of human mobility, international refugees, and internally displaced persons. We put displacement in broad historical, international, and human perspectives. You acquire qualifications in analyzing the complex causes and consequences of refugee and migration issues – as well as needs and hopes of the forcibly displaced.

You will apply the knowledge you gain and your analytical skills in projects together with your study group – and you can also do an internship that provides you with experience in working with problem-solving at local, national, and international levels.

By choosing this track, your job opportunities may include working in international and national governmental organizations, municipalities, and NGOs which work analytically, strategically, and/or practically with refugee and migration issues.

During the third semester, about 75 percent of the IR students engage in an Project oriented course (internship) of their own choosing. Students from the IR program have interned in embassies, government offices, businesses, NGOs, and international organizations around the globe. The internship is an important shortcut to practical experience and network building, which will be crucial in finding your first job after graduation. As a student in the IR program, it is your own responsibility to find an internship either in Denmark or abroad, but there is help available from the international coordinators, the Career office, and the International office at AAU.

See website of the International Office here. 

The internship project
During your internship, you will write an internship project about a problem of relevance to the IR program and the host institution. The project can be a PBL project just like the normal semester projects, or a policy brief training you for your later career. The internship also functions as a convenient way to gather empirical material for your Master thesis.

In the Project Library you can find projects written by the students

It is possible to study International Relations for one or two semesters as a guest/exchange student. Guest/exchange students studying two semesters will obtain a one-year specialization diploma. Note that guest/exchange students who are admitted for one semester will only obtain academic credits but not the diploma. Guest/exchange students begin September 1 or February 1.

For information about the application process, deadlines, tuition fee, scholarship etc. please see the How to apply  box below admission and requirements to Aalborg University.

Aalborg University has exchange agreements with a number of international universities, which you can find listed right here: AAU international office. 

In cooperation with the semester coordinator at Aalborg University, you must choose courses/seminars within the field of international relations to supplement the courses/seminars you have participated in at Aalborg University.

Students from the IR program find jobs in many different sectors. The private sector is an important job market where International Relations graduates work on issues related to for instance international markets, sustainability, gender policies, and lobbying. Many graduates are also employed in public administration on both a national and regional level as well as in consulates and embassies around the globe. International organizations like the UN and the EU are also important career goals for our graduates, who often start their international careers in NGO’s and civil society organizations before progressing to multinational institutions. For some students, the program may lead to pursuing a PhD or a career in teaching and research.

Aalborg University is famous for its problem based learning which means that you work in a group on a written assignment each semester - possibly in collaboration with an industrial partner. This study method is also called “The Aalborg Model for Problem Based Learning”. The method is highly recognised internationally; including by UNESCO.
The problem based project work at Aalborg University gives you the opportunity to acquire new knowledge and competencies at a high academic level in an independent way. You get to apply theory to practice when you work to solve real-life problems, which will ensure that you are well prepared for your future career.
Learn more about PBL.

When doing project work, you work closely in groups with other students who have roughly the same academic interests and ambitions as yourself. This gives you the opportunity to cooperate, share knowledge and to explore larger and more complex academic problems than you would have been able to do on your own. Furthermore, the groups serve a social purpose and make it easier for you to get to know your fellow students.
Learn more about group work at AAU.

Aalborg University works closely with the business community, which means that during your studies you work with real issues from companies and organisations. Thus, you will already have the opportunity while studying to obtain practical experience with the theory you learn at the university.

At Aalborg University, we offer research-based teaching, which in short means that your lecturers conduct research in the same area they teach. You thus have access to the latest knowledge and dedicated teachers who are passionate about what they teach. The teaching material thus not only includes books but may also consist of current articles from journals. 

The laboratories at Aalborg University are of the highest standard, and they play an important role in the teaching. You will work under the best laboratory conditions with access to state-of-the-art technology, which is vital for your benefiting from the teaching.

As a university city, Aalborg has many advantages. The city is Denmark's fourth largest, and a good 20 percent of the municipality's inhabitants are students. The city has much to offer when it comes to culture, sports and leisure, but at the same time, has a manageable size and safe environment. Compared to other university cities in Denmark, it is easy to find good student accommodation in Aalborg.
Learn more about student life in Aalborg and what it means to study in Aalborg.