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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes International Relations - Research
Header image International Relations
Research master - full-time

International Relations

Are you a talented student and interested in modern history and international relations? Is a career in research something you aspire to? Then this degree programme is exactly what you are looking for.

The Research Master's degree in International Relations consists of the two-year Master's track in Modern History and International Relations. You can also take this track as a specialisation of the Master's degree programme in History (research).

This programme teaches you to carry out independent academic research and to explore recent developments in the field of modern history and international relations. You will study relevant theoretical and methodological backgrounds as well. In addition, the programme includes subjects such as international political economy, the history of cultural identity and European cooperation and integration.

As a student of this programme you will work in small groups and are supervised by highly qualified researchers. The programme is closely related to the research carried out at the Groningen Research Institute for the Study of Culture (ICOG) and the N.W. Posthumus Institute.

Sign up now for the Master's Week from 18-22 November!

Facts & Figures
Degree
MA in International Relations (research)
Course type
Research master
Duration
24 months (120 ECTS)
Croho code
60820
Language of instruction
English
Start
February, September
Faculty
Arts
Apply now
Why study this programme in Groningen?
  • Intensive supervision by high-quality researchers in small groups
  • A challenging multidisciplinary approach
Programme
Programme options
Modern History and International Relations (track)

Are you a talented student and interested in modern history and international relations? Is a career in research something you aspire to? Then this track is exactly what you are looking for.

You can take the Master's track in Modern History and International Relations as a specialization within the Research Master's degree in History or the Research Master's degree in International Relations.

The two-year Master's track in Modern History and International Relations teaches you to carry out independent academic research in the fields of modern and contemporary history and international relations. You will explore recent developments in these fields and study relevant theoretical and methodological backgrounds. You will learn about subjects such as international political economy, the history of cultural identity and European cooperation and integration.

As a student of this programme you work in small groups and are supervised by highly qualified researchers. The programme is closely related to the research carried out at the Groningen Research Institute for the Study of Culture (ICOG) and the N.W. Posthumus Institute.

More information about this option

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is optional
Entry requirements

Transfer options

Transferring from...

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
American StudiesAll Research universities

No additional requirements

More information:

This programme has a selection procedure.
History (part-time)All Research universities

No additional requirements

More information:

This programme has a selection procedure.
International StudiesAll Research universities

No additional requirements

More information:

This programme has a selection procedure.
International Relations and International OrganizationAll Research universities

No additional requirements

More information:

This programme has a selection procedure.
International Development StudiesAll Research universities

No additional requirements

More information:

This programme has a selection procedure.
Political ScienceAll Research universities

No additional requirements

More information:

This programme has a selection procedure.
Politics, Psychology, Law and EconomicsAll Research universities

No additional requirements

More information:

This programme has a selection procedure.
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
American StudiesUniversity of Groningen

No additional requirements

More information:

This programme has a selection procedure.
History (part-time)University of Groningen

No additional requirements

More information:

This programme has a selection procedure.
International Relations and International OrganizationUniversity of Groningen

No additional requirements

More information:

This programme has a selection procedure.

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

Prospective students are required to have knowledge at Bachelor's level of modern history and/ or international relations. Examples of these types of Bachelor's programmes are:

  • History
  • International Relations
  • American Studies
  • Political Sciences
  • Social Sciences
  • another related field
grade list

An excellent academic record: An overview of the results achieved so far within the Bachelor's degree programme and/or other university degree programmes is required.
Curriculum Vitae (CV)

A Curriculum Vitae (CV)
language test

Additional English language requirement: A VWO diploma or a subject certificate for VWO English (mark 6 or higher), minimum requirement of TOEFL iBT 100 (with a minimum score for speaking and writing of 25 (each)), or an IELTS score of 7 (with a minimum of 6.5 on all items). Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a minimum score of 185.
reference letter

Two personal letters of recommendation from staff members who can comment on the students' affinity with and capacities for research.
(motivation-) letter

A letter outlining the prospective student's motivation for selecting the programme and Research Master's track, including their expectations and interests.
other admission requirements

Furthermore, the selection procedure is also based on an evaluation of degree certificates, individual results and the thesis or paper.

Selection procedure

A fixed number of places is available for quota programmes. For the IRIO Bachelor degree programme this number is 260. For these places a selection procedure takes place.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 May 202501 September 2025
15 October 202501 February 2026
EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
15 October 202501 February 2026
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
15 October 202501 February 2026

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

Prospective students are required to have knowledge at Bachelor's level of modern history and/ or international relations. Examples of these types of Bachelor's programmes are:

  • History
  • International Relations
  • American Studies
  • Political Sciences
  • Social Sciences
  • another related field
grade list

An excellent academic record: An overview of the results achieved so far within the Bachelor's degree programme and/or other university degree programmes is required.
Curriculum Vitae (CV)

A Curriculum Vitae (CV)
language test

Additional English language requirement: A VWO diploma or a subject certificate for VWO English (mark 6 or higher), minimum requirement of TOEFL iBT 100 (with a minimum score for speaking and writing of 25 (each)), or an IELTS score of 7 (with a minimum of 6.5 on all items). Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a minimum score of 185.
reference letter

Two personal letters of recommendation from staff members who can comment on the students' affinity with and capacities for research.
(motivation-) letter

A letter outlining the prospective student's motivation for selecting the programme and Research Master's track, including their expectations and interests.
other admission requirements

Furthermore, the selection procedure is also based on an evaluation of degree certificates, individual results and the thesis or paper.

Selection procedure

A fixed number of places is available for quota programmes. For the IRIO Bachelor degree programme this number is 260. For these places a selection procedure takes place.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 May 202501 September 2025
15 October 202501 February 2026
EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
15 October 202501 February 2026
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
15 October 202501 February 2026
Tuition fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2024-2025€ 2530full-time
non-EU/EEA2024-2025€ 18700full-time

Practical information for:

Dutch studentsInternational students
After your studies

Job prospects

After graduation you are well prepared for a career in research at a university or a private or governmental research institute. You can pursue jobs at international organizations and government institutions as well. You may also find work as a journalist.

Job examples

  • Position within interdisciplinary academic environment
  • Research oriented career in International Relations or History
  • International Affairs / Foreign Policy Advisor jobs
  • Investigative Journalism
Research

MHIR Journals

About the project

Students in the Research Master Modern History and International Relations (MHIR) have started analysing journals relevant to their disciplines in 2010, and their successors continue to do so each year. This website aims to collect their reviews, and offer interested scholars access to our research, while at the same time showcasing the quality of the work of the students in the Research Master MHIR .

Students have analysed journals both qualitatively and quantitatively, delving into several issues of academic journals dealing with the subjects of History and International Relations. Reviews generally offer an introduction of the journal’s history, followed by an analysis of the themes and topics dealt with by the journal, and also an analysis of the background of the authors.

This project also offers interested parties and prospective students an example of the extent to which the University of Groningen succeeds in making research results easily available, showcasing that the work done by students does not need to gather dust in the archives of our professors.

The overview below lists all the analysed journals alphabetically.

Overview of journals

Clicking on the name of the journal will take you to the individual review. Please take note of the different volumes analysed.

Interested parties are invited to first read two introductory articles.

Apply nowBrochureEventsContact
Dutch brochureEnglish brochure
marktdiverse locatiesMore information
More events

Contact

  • Ask Your Question Here (please fill in this contact form, we will answer you as soon as possible.)
  • Dr. Benjamin Herborth (Director of studies)
    Email: b.a.herborth rug.nl
  • Caroline Dijkema (Study Advisor)
    Email: mhir.advice rug.nl
  • Manou Jonink (coordinator: for all questions regarding application)
    Email: rema.arts rug.nl
  • Sophie Schulderbacher (Student Ambassador)

Master's degree programme in International Relations

The Faculty of Arts also offers a one year master’s degree programme in International Relations .

Read more

Study associations

Clio

Clio is the study association of International Relations and International Organization at the University of Groningen.
It has around 1000 members and is one of the largest study associations in Groningen and the largest study association at a Dutch Faculty of Arts. Clio organises numerous events including parties, workshops, excursions and offers services like high-quality summaries, the internship database and various discounts around Groningen.
https://www.clio.nl/

Synthesis

Synthesis is the new study association for all Research Master students from the Faculty of Arts. Synthesis is both a social network and a platform for the academic development of young scholars. Given our shared interest in academic research, Synthesis organizes a variety of seminars, lectures and workshops about academic skills or career strategy with interesting speakers from different fields.
Synthesis also aims to create and maintain an active Research Master community by organizing social activities such as drinks, dinners and fun trips. Join our Facebook group for more information.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/468316950175210/
Read more
Study support

Each Master's degree programme has a study advisor whom you can contact if you have questions or need advice about your degree programme and other study-related matters. Everything you discuss will be treated confidentially. If you have a more complex problem, for example study delay, a performance disability or if you are ill for a long time, you should contact a student counsellor.

In addition, you can also follow various courses at the Study Support section of the Student Service Centre (SSC), for example on study stress and holding presentations.

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