What can we learn about how attempts to create order in the world have to do with how things are connected and disconnected?
How is it that nationalisms and identities, economic systems, ideologies, inequalities, environmental and health issues, as well as belief systems, are used to connect and disconnect people, ideas, and places creating (new) geopolitical realities?
In this track you will be introduced to a novel approach, developed and led by colleagues at Groningen, to understand geopolitics as a connectivity effect. You will learn how spaces are, and have been, the result of connecting (strategically or not), many of the issues mentioned above. Drawing on historical and contemporary case studies and issues, you will develop unique analytical skills to approach any geopolitical issue in time.
Some questions inspired by this approach are, for example, how has the United States tried to change the terms under which it connects to the world in an attempt to force a different geopolitical context? How is China resetting the terms for its global connectivity through its Belt and Road initiative(s)? How is the European Union attempting to develop an environmental agenda to connect its members and create its geopolitical projection in the world? How do actors in the global realm challenge or benefit from these geopolitical aspirations? How do certain people and regions choose, and have chosen, to geopolitically disconnect from global designs?
Methodologically, you will learn how conflicts and wars, pandemics and environmental disasters, economic and financial crises, systemic infrastructural failures, and different forms of radicalisms, alert us of failing connectivities and the emerging of new ones, and how you can use these connectivities to understand and theorize an ever-emerging world. You will learn how geopolitical designs in time have resulted from the strategic connection of complex issues and interests, and how such designs have resulted from thinking space and power creatively.
The track G&C:
The Master's degree programme International Relations is 60 ECTS. During your first semester, you take the module Advanced Theory and Research Practice in International Relations. This module must be followed by all students. In addition, you choose two Research Seminars (at least one of which in G&C) and you complete the specialization course Capita Geopolitics & Connectivity.
During your second semester, you will write a Master Thesis (in the field of G&C) and you will choose between doing a Placement or professionalization electives.
If you choose the Placement option, you must find and apply for your Placement yourself, on the basis of your interests and skills. The Placement should last at least 7 weeks full-time. If you choose to do a Placement that takes longer than 7 weeks, it might be difficult to finish the programme within one year, and you will have to register for the extra months.
For examples of Research Seminar topics, please go to the Course Catalogue (link below). If you start the Master programme in September, you choose Research Seminars from semester I. If you start in February, you choose Research Seminars from semester II.
Because the programme starts in September as well as in February, all elements of the programme are offered both in the first and in the second semester. Please note: because the topics of the Research Seminars depend on the expertise of the lecturers, the list may be subject to change and differs each semester/year.
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Advanced Theory and Research Practice in International Relations (5 EC) | ||||
| Capita Geopolitics & Connectivity (5 EC) | ||||
| Research Seminar 1 (10 EC) Example: - Geopolitical ideas and International History - Governance and Security in the Arctic | ||||
| Research Seminar 2 (10 EC) Example: - Maps and Power - Transnational Movements | ||||
| Master's Thesis Geopolitics & Connectivity (20 EC) | ||||
| Master's Placement (10 EC, optional) | ||||
| Professionalization electives (10 EC, optional) Example: - Career Seminar Working in and on Governance; - Project Proposal Writing | ||||
| Programme options |
|---|
| Master's Placement (specialization) A placement is a recognised component of this Master's track. It is your responsibility to find a placement yourself, but the Office for Student Affairs can offer help with this where necessary. |
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
Students with a Bachelor's degree in International Relations and International Organization from the University of Groningen or from another Dutch university, students with a Bachelor's degree from the University of Groningen in European Languages and Cultures (Profile Politics & Society) who started in 2016 or later, and students with a BA in International Relations and International Law (IRIL) from University College Groningen (if they have completed the following set of courses: International Relations Theories (and Practice) (5 ECTS), International Politics (5 ECTS), Statistics 1 (5 ECTS), Two of the following three qualitative methods courses: Qualitative Data Collection & Analysis (5 ECTS); Interpretive Methods (5 ECTS); Advanced Argumentation and Critical Thinking (5 ECTS)) have direct access to this track through the IR Admissions Board. Please use this application guide for your specific application procedure: https://www.rug.nl/let/how-to-apply-MA Students with a University of Groningen Bachelor's degree in:
who have completed a Faculty Minor in International Relations will also be admitted to this Master's track on that basis. Students from a similar field (which is not mentioned above) or those with a different educational background, for example Political Sciences, American Studies, History, European/International Law or International Economics, must submit a request for admission to the Master's degree in International Relations to the Admissions Board. The Board may decide to decline the request due to an insufficiently internationally orientated Bachelor's degree, or to admit the applicant to (parts of the pre-)Master programme. Please use this application guide for your specific application procedure: https://www.rug.nl/let/how-to-apply-MA After you complete your application, the IR Admissions Board will assess whether your educational/academic background meets the specific programme requirements, and will consider the level and curriculum of your previous studies. The Admissions Board will then determine whether:
|
| language test |
Additional requirements English: A VWO diploma or a subject certificate for VWO English (mark 6 or higher), minimum requirement of TOEFL iBT 90 (with a minimum of 21 on all items), or IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum of 6 on all items). Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency. If you have a VWO diploma a language test is not required. |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| All Universities of applied sciences |
Via a pre-master More information:with a HBO Bachelor's degree certificate with an international profile and/or knowledge of social sciences, for example Political Sciences, American Studies, History, European/International Law or International Economics and an IRIO pre-master |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| International Relations and International Organization | University of Groningen | No additional requirements |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements Additional requirements:
with a specialization International Relations and International Law, and a number of required courses (see below) |
| American Studies | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:with an IRIO faculty minor or pre-master |
| Communication and Information Studies | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:with an IRIO faculty minor or pre-master |
| History | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:with an IRIO faculty minor or pre-master |
| Media Studies | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:with an IRIO faculty minor or pre-master |
| Middle Eastern Studies | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:with an IRIO faculty minor or pre-master |
| Minorities & Multilingualism | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:with an IRIO faculty minor or pre-master |
| European Languages and Cultures | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:If you started the BA programme in 2016 or later, with the profile Politics and Society OR with an IRIO faculty minor/ pre-master |
| Psychology (NL) | University of Groningen |
Via a pre-master More information:with an IRIO pre-master |
| International Business | University of Groningen |
Via a pre-master More information:with an IRIO pre-master |
| Psychology (EN) | University of Groningen |
Via a pre-master More information:with an IRIO pre-master |
| Sociology | University of Groningen |
Via a pre-master More information:with an IRIO pre-master |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| International Relations and International Organization | All Research universities | No additional requirements |
| American Studies | All Research universities |
Via a pre-master More information:with an IRIO pre-master |
| History (part-time) | All Research universities |
Via a pre-master More information:with an IRIO pre-master |
| International and European Law | All Research universities |
Via a pre-master More information:with an IRIO pre-master |
| Political Science | All Research universities |
Via a pre-master More information:with an IRIO pre-master |
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 15 August 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 15 January 2026 | 01 February 2026 | |
| 15 August 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 15 October 2025 | 01 February 2026 | |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| 15 October 2026 | 01 February 2027 | |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 15 October 2025 | 01 February 2026 | |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| 15 October 2026 | 01 February 2027 |
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
Students with either a Bachelor's Degree in Social Sciences (including - but not limited to - Economics, Political Science, Development Studies, Psychology, Sociology, Social Geography), or an internationally oriented Bachelor's degree such as International Relations, Regional Studies, European/International Law, or (Modern) History can submit an application to the IR Admissions Board. Please use this application guide for more information regarding your eligibility and your specific application procedure: http://www.rug.nl/let/how-to-apply-MA After you complete your application, the IR Admissions Board will assess whether your educational/academic background meets the specific programme requirements, and will consider the level and curriculum of your previous studies. The Admissions Board will then determine whether:
|
| language test |
Additional requirements English: A VWO diploma or a subject certificate for VWO English (mark 6 or higher), minimum requirement of TOEFL iBT 90 (with a minimum of 21 on all items), or IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum of 6 on all items). Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency. |
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 15 August 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 15 January 2026 | 01 February 2026 | |
| 15 August 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 15 October 2025 | 01 February 2026 | |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| 15 October 2026 | 01 February 2027 | |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 15 October 2025 | 01 February 2026 | |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| 15 October 2026 | 01 February 2027 |
Upon graduation students hold a (60 ECTS) MA degree in International Relations with a track in Geopolitics & Connectivity from the University of Groningen. The Master programme in International Relations prepares its students for professions and research careers where knowledge of international-political developments and the ability to analyze and assess complex issues and to form grounded judgements are relevant.
Although not limiting you to a specific field, your track choice strengthens your profile in Geopolitics & Connectivity and benefits you when applying for specialized jobs in that field.
During the programme you will complete an internship: this will provide you not only with an insight into the job-market, but also further develop your professional skills as well as expand your network.
Many graduates become policy advisors for national governments, NGOs, and international organizations in international politics. An increasing number of graduates also use their analytical skills to advise international businesses, or work as lobbyists, international executives, press officers, journalists, and researchers.
Alumni of the Geopolitics & Connectivity track have found work at:
Government:
Business:
Consultancy:
Research:
Other:
Research at the Chair Group on History and Theory of International relations revolves around two overlapping fields: Modes of Reasoning about order, power and governance; and The Politics of Global Connectivities. Common to them is a concern with understanding the making of orders of governance as well as advancing and refining traditional and alternative methodological approaches to the study of history and theory of international relations, such as Historical Epistemology.
For more information, see: Research at History and Theory of International Relations
Hi, I'm Saxon! I've always had an interest in international affairs and the interactions between different countries and cultures; What factors insight conflict, and what factors facilitate cooperation? The Geopolitics and Connectivity track offered the opportunity for me to develop this interest, with enough course flexibility to really structure the programme around what I was most interested in.
Moving to Groningen to study has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I can walk to my classes in five minutes, I get to meet people from all over the world, and take part in all sorts of extra activities not found on the traditional university schedule.
More than anything the Geopolitics and Connectivity programme offers opportunities, opportunities to tailor your subjects, opportunities to meet new people, and opportunities to explore different career possibilities. This, above all is what has stuck out to me about the programme.
While my aspiration is, broadly, to enter the public sector, the further through my studies I progress the more tempting it is for me to pursue a PhD. I suppose time will tell on that front, though, career wise, the placement opportunity the masters programme offers is a great chance to dip my toe in a career outside of academia.
