International Relations and European Union Studies - MA

The programme

The programme offers students the knowledge and skills to critically engage with International Relations, EU public policy and global governance issues. The programme is based on four pillars: knowledge, skills, experience, and career opportunities.

• Knowledge: The MA degree provides knowledge on International Relations and European Union Studies and highlights issues of EU policies and global governance. Students become familiar with the most important current socio-economic and political issues in the region and become equipped with the necessary knowledge to deal with new global challenges.
   
• Skills: The MA degree offers an array of skills, including critical thinking, writing, presentation and communications skills, as well as employment skills, such as problem solving, crisis management and negotiation.
   
• Experience: Students will be given the opportunity to stay in Strasbourg for a week, visit European institutions and benefit from guest lectures at the University of Strasbourg.
   
• Career Opportunities: Students have the opportunity to undertake an agreed internship with a company, NGO, international organisation or a politician in the local or national government as part of their degree.

In a highly volatile and ever-changing international environment where the European Union remains one of the world’s centres of socio-economic and political activity, knowledge on EU and global issues has become increasingly important to both academia and industry. The programme offers students the necessary knowledge and skills to critically engage with International Relations, EU public policy and global governance. Moreover, through the internship students have the opportunity to expand their network and gain valuable work experience. Graduates can pursue an exciting career in international organisations, NGOs, local government, journalism, business, consultancy and further academic degrees (PhD).

Why choose this course?

• Degree from the University of York, one of the world’s top universities
   
• Unique degree in International Relations and European Union studies combining academic knowledge and work experience
   
• Optional internship with a company, NGO, international organisation or a politician in the local or national government
   
• Study visit* to the University of Strasbourg and the European Institutions (the European Parliament and the Council of Europe)
   
• Enhancement of industry-related skills (political communication, negotiation skills, crisis management)
   
• Highly qualified staff
   
• Study in an international and multicultural environment providing networking opportunities
   

* The study visit to Strasbourg is optional and the cost is not included in the programme fees.

More reasons why:

• Supportive learning environment with a wide range of support services available to students
   
• Individualised learning experience
   
• Diverse methods of assessment
   
• Strong links to society, the industry and our alumni
   
• Seminars and workshops by renowned international experts
   
• Free participation in sports and clubs activities
   
• Our state of the art library, the Information and Learning Commons (ILC) fully supports our students’ study experience

Watch Online - Webinar on International Relations by our Humanities Department

• Theories of International Relations
• EU Law
• Contemporary Issues in International Political Economy
• Political Communication
• European Institutions and Public Policy
• EU Enlargement and Challenges of Democratisation
• Research Methods
• Dissertation

And one of the following two modules:

• Crisis Management
• Practicum

Theories of International Relations
This module examines various theories of International Relations for the purpose of studying the international environment. The module highlights the core dividing lines underlying theoretical debates, as well as, the way they interrelate and how they can be applied to the analysis of current affairs.

EU Law
This module will develop student learning by focusing on the foundational legal aspects of EU law, as well as, rules governing the main processes of EU integration and decision-making. The module addresses the legal basis of the Treaties and the EU Institutions. Additionally it investigates the legal dimension in areas such as EU competencies, the four freedoms, EU Citizenship, Trade, Competition and EU Human Rights. ​

Contemporary Issues in International Political Economy
This module reviews the links between Politics, Economics and Society both at the domestic and the external sphere and it looks at the rise of non-state actors in the international environment, including Multinational Corporations, Non-governmental Organisations, illegal groups etc. Key themes in contemporary International Political Economy are explored, such as the nature of Globalization and its effect on the state, the globalization of the world economy, poverty, terrorism and environmental concerns through the study of the different structures in the international system.

Political Communication
This module reviews different theories and applications of Political Communication and the impact it has on managing political processes in today’s globalised world. Political Communication is investigated at the level of different actors, both official and unofficial, as well as, via different means, including social media. Global phenomena are analysed such as Fake News, Post-truth and ethics shaping Political Communication.

European Institutions and Public Policy
This module offers an overview of the most important aspects of the European Union Institutions and Public Policy making. Topics covered include EU integration, the institutional architecture of the EU and the relationship between the EU and its members and policy-making in the main areas of competence.

EU Enlargement and Challenges of Democratisation
This module focuses on the link between EU conditionality and democratisation and investigates the challenges arising throughout the process. Theories of Democratisation are examined as well as, debates and issues related to EU Conditionality, including corruption, social capital and civil society. Finally both EU members and EU Candidate members’ case studies are examined including, Eastern Europe, Southeast Europe, the Western Balkans and Turkey.

Research Methods
The module is designed with the purpose of supporting students in the research design and writing of their dissertation. The module will cover formulating the research question, choosing an appropriate methodology, understanding research ethics involved and receiving guidelines with regard to writing the dissertation. Students will be able to consult with their supervisors about the topic and methodology of their research proposal.

Dissertation
The dissertation is designed to both enable students to integrate knowledge and skills acquired across the degree programme, and to assess their ability to analyse a complex issue linked to International Relations and European Studies by conducting research. The Dissertation is linked to the Research Methods module.

Crisis Management
This optional module provides knowledge on the principles and application of Crisis Management. It is designed to offer students knowledge and skills on decision-making in relation to crises, as well as, practical, hands on experience by working on case studies related to the EU recent crises, such as humanitarian or defence and security crises. The module is optional.

Practicum
In this optional module, students will be able to undertake an agreed practicum with a company, NGO, International Organisation or a Politician in the local or national government as part of their degree. The practicum will take place during the 2nd semester. Students will have the option of choosing between the module Crisis Management and the Practicum. CITY College benefits from a wide regional network in the industry, the third sector and government via its numerous MBA alumni society, as well as, the Southeast European Research Centre (SEERC) project research partners in the area. The practicum will be offered throughout the region, not solely in Thessaloniki.

Entry requirements

View the application and admission requirements of the programme

How to apply

If you wish to apply for this programme you may view details of the application process.

The Humanities Department of CITY College, University of York Europe Campus is dedicated to providing high quality education, informed by the latest developments in research and teaching. We offer a variety of programmes from different disciplines ranging from communication and digital media studies, to international relations, linguistics and literature, as well as translation and cultural studies. Our aim is to equip students with the scientific knowledge and 21st century skills needed to excel in their careers, but also to offer them various opportunities for hands-on practice, internships and volunteering. Our passionate and dedicated staff members have a reputation for creating a supportive environment where our students can grow into critical thinkers and highly qualified professionals.
More about the Humanities Department

Research at the Humanities Department

The academic staff of the Humanities Department

Contact the Humanities Department

Recognition and Careers

Accreditation and Recognition
CITY College is strongly committed to quality education and academic excellence. It is officially accredited and recognised by top international accreditation bodies. Read more

Degree and formal qualifications
The degree and formal qualifications our graduates receive.

For Greek graduates only: Recognition of degrees

Career opportunities

In a highly volatile and ever-changing international environment where the European Union remains one of the world’s centres of socio-economic and political activity, knowledge on EU and global issues has become increasingly important to both academia and industry. The programme offers students the necessary knowledge and skills to critically engage with International Relations, EU public policy and global governance. Moreover, through the practicum students have the opportunity to expand their network and gain valuable work experience. Graduates can pursue an exciting career in international organisations, NGOs, local governments, journalism, business, consultancy and further academic degrees (PhD).

Career, Employability and Enterprise Centre

The Career, Employability and Enterprise Centre, focuses on helping students to set attainable career goals. It offers advice on CVs and cover letters, and on how to effectively handle job interviews. Through career fairs, and different internship programmes, the department aims at constantly bringing students in contact with prospective employers. 

Every spring we organize the Annual Career Fair presenting with an opportunity to get a first feel of job seeking. During the event students and alumni have interview opportunities with corporate recruiters and present their skills and abilities to potential employers. Large companies, organisations and multinationals from different industries across S.E. Europe participate every year in our Career Fair and offer employment and internship opportunities to our students and graduates.
More about our Career Services.

Contact the Career, Employability and Enterprise Centre at careers@york.citycollege.eu

The programme is offered in partnership with the Navarino Network (NN) a strong network for the development of new thinking in regards to current and future policy challenges. The NN is an initiative of the Northern Greece Entrepreneurs Cultural Society.

Dr Alexandra Prodromidou
Assistant Professor
Programme Lead, MA in International Relations and European Union Studies
Research Associate Southeast European Research Centre (SEERC)

Dr Alexandra Prodromidou (MA, PhD) has been an educator and researcher in the field of International Relations and European Union Studies for the past decade. She holds a PhD in Russian Studies from the Centre for Russian and East European Studies, University of Birmingham, an MA in Mediterranean Studies from King’s College London and a BA (Hons) in International Relations and European Studies with Italian from the University of Sussex.

She has taught International and EU Politics, International Political Economy and Russian Politics, both at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, in the UK and Greece (University of Birmingham, University of Leicester, Nottingham Trent University, International Hellenic University and CITY College, University of York, Europe Campus). She is the academic coordinator of the CITY College, University of York Europe Campus Summer School on Migration. The programme runs since 2017 in collaboration with the University of York Migration Network (MIGNET), the Department of Politics of the University of York, the Department of Politics of the University of Sheffield, the Department of Sociological Studies of the University of Sheffield and the University of Sheffield Migration Research Group.

Dr Prodromidou has extensive experience in EU funded projects (Horizon Europe RIAs, Erasmus+ Jean Monnet Networks) in the field of EU migration governance, which she focuses her research interests on since 2016. She is currently a member of the stirring committee of the MIGREC Centre of the University of Belgrade inside the framework of the H2020 Twining Project for the establishment of a Centre of research excellence in the field of Migration Studies in Serbia (2019-2022). Additionally, she participates in the Jean Monnet Networks Erasmus+ funded BORD(EU)R project on EU integration (2019-2022) and the World Bank Legal Vice-Presidency, Secretariat of the Global Forum on Law Justice and Development funded project INTEGRATE on refugee integration in Greece (2020-2022). Dr Prodromidou is an Associate Fellow of the Sheffield Political Economy Research Institute of the University of Sheffield. She has published with Palgrave and SAGE.

Publications:

 Petrova,  S. and Prodromidou, A. (2019) Everyday Politics of Austerity: Infrastructure and Vulnerability in times of Crisis, Environment and Planning C: Politics and Space [online], Sage Journals, Available from https://doi.org/10.1177%2F2399654419831293

 Prodromidou, A. (2018) Continuity and Change in Greek Politics in an Age of Austerity in Parker, O and Tsarouchas, D. (eds) 'Crisis in the Eurozone Periphery: The Political Economies of Greece, Spain, Portugal and Ireland', Palgrave Macmillan: London 

 Gkasis, P.,  Prodromidou, A. and Zaharis, N. (eds) (2017) European Migrant Crisis Symposium: Challenges of a Fragmented Corridor, SEEVIEW Working Paper no 1, Southeast European Research Centre, March 2017. Available here.

 Prodromidou, A. (2015). A clear victory for the anti-austerity camp in Gerodimos, R. (ed.) First Thoughts on 25 January 2015 Election in Greece, Political Studies Association-Greek Politics Specialist Group. Available here.

 Prodromidou, A. (2014). The Precarious State of Greek Politics in Gerodimos, R. (ed.) First Thoughts on the 18 & 24 May 2014 Elections in Greece, Political Studies Association-Greek Politics Specialist Group. Available here.  

 Petrova, S. and Prodromidou, A. (2013). Changing local perceptions of energy poverty in Greece, Energy Vulnerability and Urban Transitions blog entry. Available here. 

 Prodromidou, A. Dimosthenous, I. Kousantas, N. Stergiopoulou, C. Fronimaki, D. Psyllos, P., 2013. Ενεργειακή ασφάλεια και άμυνα στην νοτιοανατολική Μεσόγειο: Οι παράγοντες αστάθειας και οι προοπτικές συνεργασίας. [in Greek] Foreign Affairs The Hellenic Edition, Issue 21, December 2013-January 2014, 124-145

Media presence:

Commentary on energy poverty and vulnerability in Greece on the Greek National Radio ERA for 'Ideodromio' on December 12th, 2016 to reporter Ms Irene Giannara. 

Quoted by Radio France Internationale on the significance of Vladimir Putin's visit to Greece on May 27th, 2016 to reporter Ms Charlotte Stiévenard. Online article and audio available here. 

Online videos:

Bodossaki Lectures on Demand:

www.blod.gr/speakers/prodromidou-aleksandra/

Youtube: 

• International Relations Webinar: How to start your International Relations career
• Migrant integration in Greece: A discussion on the current state of policies and practices

The programme is taught by highly qualified academic staff with extensive teaching and professional experience, and a strong research profile. The administration staff members fully support the processes of the department and provide a wide range of services to our students.

The academic staff & administration staff of the Humanities Department