The MIA curriculum

The two core courses combine theory and empirical research with a focus on investigating challenges in international affairs. They are designed to provide you with a common scholarly orientation in the four arenas Polities, Markets, Firms, and Courts.

This course offering corresponds to the current planning status. You can find the entire course offering in the official Course Catalogue Online.

The two core courses cover social science research techniques (qualitative and quantitative) and teach relevant data science tools. You acquire critical expertise regarding their relevance and the quality of data used.

This course offering corresponds to the current planning status. You can find the entire course offering in the official Course Catalogue Online.

The two core courses focus on the practical application of the material studied in the first two pillars. They combine academic and practitioner perspectives and help you make connections between disciplines. With case-based and problem-oriented teaching, you develop skills in analytical and integrated thinking as well as reflective judgment.

Workshops offered in the format of the «MIA Mornings» allow you to gain specific skills and competences, closing potential disciplinary, methodological and professional gaps. Examples of workshop topics include “Legal Thinking”, “Data Handling” or “Foundations of Project Management”.

*See online course listing at MIA/Specialized Studies/Compulsory/MIA Mornings: Skills and Competences.

This course offering corresponds to the current planning status. You can find the entire course offering in the official Course Catalogue Online.

This cluster focuses on traditional International Affairs topics such as conflict prevention, peace enforcement, nuclearization, trade wars, humanitarian intervention, international criminal tribunals, and refugee crisis management but also on foreign policy of nation-states and external action of regional or international organizations. Topics such as diplomacy but also the (global) private security market and cybersecurity are included, too. 

This cluster seeks to understand the foundations of democratic and responsive decision-making at various levels, be it in the realm of politics or business. Courses tackle related topics, such as authoritarianism, corruption, digital democracy, corporate management, electoral integrity, citizenship, arms trade, and (global) justice. 

This cluster addresses the complex nexus of economic conditions and trends, international and national politics and institutions, business and financial interests and civil society. It focuses on international trade relations and more specifically on the international flow of goods, services, and production factors, which capture migration and international capital flows. Public policy issues such as tax competition and evasion are also addressed. 

This cluster considers the economic, political, social and environmental dimensions when addressing development and sustainability issues, including (economic) growth, environmental problems such as climate change, health, fair trade, social entrepreneurship, corporate social responsibility, foreign aid, and sustainable consumption. Issues pertaining to intellectual property are viewed as an integral part of development, too. 

Strengthening your methodological competencies to equip you with the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly data-driven world, these courses focus on advanced data science and research design skills. You may complete up to four courses in this pillar, but there is no minimum requirement. 

Courses in this pillar are designed in the innovative format of a "Consultancy Course" and allow you to work on real-life problems and translate your disciplinary knowledge into practice while cooperating with relevant practitioners and potential future employers. You attend between one and three professional courses. 

Security and Conflict

Democracy and Governance

Business and Public Policy

Sustainability and Development

The MIA is taught in English.

The MIA is designed as a full-time programme with a standard duration of three semesters. The study time can be extended up to eight semesters. In doing so, you will acquire a total of 90 ECTS credits. The study programme can be taken up exclusively in the fall semester.