Budapest University of Economics and Business

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International
Relations, MA

Programme objective

The aim of our master’s programme is to train professionals with a broad social science education who will understand the theoretical and practical contexts of international political, economic and trade relations. They will acquire a high level of analytical skills in addition to theoretical (civilization, world economics, international law, political theory) and practical (diplomatic, linguistic, negotiation and protocol) knowledge.

The aim of business diplomacy is to facilitate the integration of enterprises into the international system.

We do not offer specialisations in the master’s degree program in International Relations since the focus of the training is on business diplomacy. The aim of business diplomacy is to facilitate the integration of enterprises into the international system, and to ensure cross-border co-operation between parent companies and subsidiaries. The business diplomat manages corporate and non-corporate partners, negotiates (lobbies) with international and local NGOs and with host country authorities.

History of diplomacy, geopolitics, operation of international institutions, business diplomacy: the involvement of businesses in the international business environment, creating harmonious co-operation of a global enterprise with an inclusive environment, preparation and management of international negotiations with the economic and business actors of the target country.

Students studying for a master’s degree in International Relations will be able to:

  • Undertake an in-depth analysis of the foreign policy of a given world political conflict and crisis, as well as the economic, political, and social context of a given region, using the acquired interdisciplinary knowledge they have gained.
  • Familiarise themselves with the decision-making mechanisms of various international organisations and understand the main foreign policy decision-making mechanisms of each major world power.
  • Manage the international partner network of an organisation, organise, and conduct negotiations with enterprises, international organisations, and authorities of other countries.

At multinational and domestic companies, international organisations:

  • International project manager
  • Representative for international affairs (lobbyist)
  • International relations specialist
  • International business partner specialist
  • International director

The table below lists the courses during the four semesters of the MA in International Relations programme. It also indicates how many ECTS credits you receive upon the completion of that specific course.

Course ECTS credits
Foundation Social Sciences:
Research Methods 3
History of Economic and Political Theories 6
Professional Module:
Theory of International Relations 3
Geopolitics and Geostrategies 3
Theories of World Economy, International Trade and Global Flow of Factors of Production 6
Civilisation and World Religions 3
The Political History of Eastern and Central Europe in the 20th Century 3
Case Studies of International and European Law 6
Foreign Policy Analysis, Decision Making, Strategies of International Negotiations 6
Development of Hungary’s Foreign and Foreign Economic Relations 6
International and European Finances 3
International (Intercultural) Communication 3
Studies on General and Specialised Diplomacies 3
The Theory and Practice of Economic Diplomacy 3
Business Diplomacy 6
International Intergovernmental and Non-Governmental Organizations 3
Advocacy Organizations 3
Country Studies – Comparative Societal and Economic Analyses 6
Asia Studies 3
Foreign Language for the International Economic Relations and the European Union 1 3
Foreign Language for the International Economic Relations and the European Union 2 3
Current Political Issues and Development Trends in Europe 6
International Security Systems 3
USA Studies 3
Diplomacy in the European Union 3
Elective subjects (unlimited choice):
Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Studies 3
Communication Training 3
Public and Social Communication 3
National Politics and Identity in Europe 3
International Market Strategies 3
Other Requirements:
Master Thesis Seminar A 2
Master of Sciences Thesis 10
Course ECTS
Foundation Social Sciences:
Research Methods 3
History of Economic and Political Theories 6
Professional Module:
Theory of International Relations 3
Geopolitics and Geostrategies 3
Theories of World Economy, International Trade and Global Flow of Factors of Production 6
Civilisation and World Religions 3
The Political History of Eastern and Central Europe in the 20th Century 3
Case Studies of International and European Law 6
Foreign Policy Analysis, Decision Making, Strategies of International Negotiations 6
Development of Hungary’s Foreign and Foreign Economic Relations 6
International and European Finances 3
International (Intercultural) Communication 3
Studies on General and Specialised Diplomacies 3
The Theory and Practice of Economic Diplomacy 3
Business Diplomacy 6
International Intergovernmental and Non-Governmental Organizations 3
Advocacy Organizations 3
Country Studies – Comparative Societal and Economic Analyses 6
Asia Studies 3
Foreign Language for the International Economic Relations and the European Union 1 3
Foreign Language for the International Economic Relations and the European Union 2 3
Current Political Issues and Development Trends in Europe 6
International Security Systems 3
USA Studies 3
Diplomacy in the European Union 3
Elective subjects (unlimited choice):
Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Studies 3
Communication Training 3
Public and Social Communication 3
National Politics and Identity in Europe 3
International Market Strategies 3
Other Requirements:
Master Thesis Seminar A 2
Master of Sciences Thesis 10

For non-EU students: 3,000 EUR per semester

For EU students: 630,000 Hungarian Forint per semester

For non-EU students:
30 June 2024

For EU and visa-free countries:
30 July 2024

Start of study
September 2024

Study location
Budapest, Hungary

Faculty
Faculty of International Management and Business, see on map

Duration
2 years (4 semesters)

Study language
English

Title of the qualification on the diploma
International Relations Expert

Programme level
Master’s programme (MA)

Entry qualification
Undergraduate diploma (or higher)

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