MSc in International Relations, Strategy and Security (Distance Learning)

The MSc in International Relations, Strategy and Security aims at providing students with a broad assessment of contemporary international relations, with emphasis on strategy and security issues. It combines in-depth academic training in key concepts, theories and case-studies, alongside a structured process of engagement with contemporary debates and experience. It integrates theoretical approaches with the study of many cases and issues. It also explores the ways in which the line between the domestic and international is blurred by trade, financial, environmental, strategic, security, ideological, cultural and ethical issues. Moreover, the Programme provides a strong theoretical and empirical understanding of the international security environment of the post-Cold War era, including the origins of conflicts and peace, the emergence of new security threats and the many different agencies involved in conflict prevention, peacekeeping and peacemaking today. Last but not least, the Programme identifies the ways state and non-state actors develop strategies in the international environment as far as security issues are concerned.

Graduates of the Programme are expected to have a thorough understanding of international political, security, and strategic issues, which will enable them to pursuit careers in the diplomatic corps, in international organizations, in NGOs, as well as in both the public and the private sector as senior policy and security advisors.

• The international prestige and recognition of Neapolis University Pafos.
• Excellent academic staff with strong expertise in the taught subjects.
• International collaborations with many Universities.
• The flexibility of distance learning.
• The use of advanced technology and resources.
• The dynamic choice between synchronous and asynchronous distance education.
• The adjustment of the Programme to current academic trends and market requirements.
• Competitive tuition fees.

Courses are delivered online through teleconferences. Teleconferences are accessed through a specially formulated pedagogical framework that promotes communication and interaction, with the main feature of collaborative building of knowledge from a distance in real time. From a technological point of view, there are the possibilities offered by the latest technology communication tools (Moodle, WizIQ), which allow the transfer of different types of information (image, audio, text) allowing a reliable and bi-directional connection between professors and students but also among students with each other. However, our main goal is to bring teleconferencing into a well-formed pedagogical framework that improves the communication and interaction environment between teachers and learners. Usually, teleconferences are held 6 times throughout the academic semester, every two weeks, starting from week 2 of the semester. Typically, each teleconference lasts two hours, reflecting the needs and the specificities of the course.

The interactivity and formative assessment form part of the learning and teaching methodology. 30% of the students’ final grade in each course corresponds to their performance in the midterm assessment which takes the form of written assignments, whereas 70% corresponds to their performance in the final written exams. In order to secure a passing grade in a course, students need to secure a passing grade (i.e. 50% or higher) in both the midterm assessment and the final exams.

In order to be admitted to the Programme, candidates must possess a Bachelor Degree or equivalent in International Relations, Political Science, Law, History, Sociology, Economics, or in any other related field of Social Sciences and Humanities with grade 6.5/10 or 2:1 or equivalent. It also encourages the application of graduates of schools of the Armed Forces and the Security Forces. The general admission criteria are based on the type and quality of previous studies, the grade obtained in previous studies and the suitability of the candidate for the Programme of study that has been applied for. In any case, the file of each applicant will be considered on its own merit.

Satisfactory knowledge of English is essential. The minimum language requirement is a B2 certificate in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages scale. In the absence of such a certificate/degree, candidates will be asked to sit English language exams in order to prove their satisfactory knowledge.

The University reserves its right to define the electives offered on an academic year basis.

The programme structure may change without prior notice, as a result of quality assurance procedures or/and programme recertification.