Study Track: International Relations and Diplomacy

Academic Year 2025-2026

Why follow the International Relations and Diplomacy study track? 

Given the strong emphasis of the educational offer on international relations and diplomacy at both the College of Europe and The Fletcher School, MATA students may choose to focus on these aspects as part of their study programme on transatlantic affairs. 

MATA 2022-2023
MATA students with former US Ambassador to the EU Anthony Gardner.

"I've learned academic knowledge and developed professional skills that will allow me to pursue a strong diplomatic or political career within international organisations". Adam Beunardeau-Pammen, class of 2024

 

Students starting at the Fletcher School
for the IRD Study Track

 

MATA-IRD STUDY TRACK SEMESTER 1 in Bruges

MATA-IRD students take 6 courses (20 ECTS) 

  • 1 MATA compulsory course 

  • 3 IRD compulsory courses 

  • Select 2 additional IRD compulsory courses 

     

Students can select from voluntary courses (no ECTS) 

  • Compact seminars  

  • IRD’s research seminar

 

Additional milestones: 

  • Allocation of primary thesis supervisor 

  • Internship search 

 

MATA compulsory course: 

  • US-EU Relations in the 21st Century: Multidisciplinary Analysis of Transatlantic Affairs (D. SKIADAS & I. LESSER, 5 ECTS, 27h)

  •  

IRD compulsory courses: 

  • EU Institutions and Decision-Making (C. LORD, 1 ECTS, 15h)  

  • EU Foreign and Security Policy (A. JUNCOS, 3.5 ECTS, 20h)  

  • International and EU Negotiation Analysis (F. MARCHI, 3.5 ECTS, 20h)  

 

Select 2 IRD compulsory courses 

  • External Dimensions of EU Internal Policies: Climate Change, Energy, and the Environment (S. SCHUNZ, 3.5 ECTS, 10h)  

- OR -  External Dimensions of EU Internal Policies: Decentring Migration, Gender and Religion (S. WOLFF, 3.5 ECTS, 10h)  

  • EU Trade Policy and Emerging Economic Statecraft (S. GSTÖHL, 3.5 ECTS, 20h) 

  • Understanding EU Diplomacy in Practice through the Lens of Case Studies (G. WIEGAND, 3.5 ECTS, 20h)  

  • Legal Aspects of the EU’s External Relations (J. WOUTERS, 3.5 ECTS, 20h)  

 

IRD compact seminars (no ECTS, 8h) 

  • Public Diplomacy and Strategic Communication as EU Foreign Policy Tools (S. BELLOSI) 

  • Political Thinking and Presenting Political Briefings (Z. COLLIER) 

  • Introduction au protocole : protocole diplomatique et européen (E. JESLINKOVA) 

  • Prospective et planification stratégiques dans le cadre de la politique étrangère de l’UE (H. DELPHIN) 

  • Working with EU Media (G. HARDING) 

  • La diplomatie de l’Union européenne sur le terrain dans les régions en conflit (R. KOBIA) 

  • Challenges Facing European Diplomats: Practical Insights (Th. MAYR-HARTING) 

  • L’action extérieure de l’Union européenne : Lobbying et stratégies d’influence (A. MUTAMBA) 

  • Leadership in Foreign Policy: Strategic Thinking and Policy Planning (R. TON) 

 

Some of the compact seminars may take place during the second semester. 

 

Optional research seminar (no ECTS, 12h) 

  • Research Design in EU External Action Studies (S. GSTÖHL & S. SCHUNZ)

 

 

 

MATA-IRD STUDY TRACK SEMESTER 2 in Bruges

MATA-IRD students take 7 courses (26 ECTS): 

  • 2 MATA compulsory courses 

  • 1 IRD simulation game 

  • 4 IRD compulsory courses

     

Students can also select from voluntary courses (no ECTS) 

  • Compact seminars  

  • IRD research seminar 

     

Additional milestones: 

  • MATA study trip 

  • IRD study trip 

  • Internship search 

  • Thesis proposal 

 

MATA compulsory courses 

  • US-EU Relations in the 21st Century: Transatlantic Project (B. BERTI & M. KOPLOVSKY, 5 ECTS, 20h) 

  • Southern Atlanticism: Rethinking Mental Maps of Transatlantic Relations (I. LESSER, no ECTS, 8h) 

     

IRD simulation game 

  • EU International Crisis Response (A. RIBO LABASTIDA & Q. WEILER, 3 ECTS, 30h)

     

IRD optional courses (select 4, preferably spread across at least 2 different clusters) (4.5 ECTS, 25h):  

Security, Justice and Values 

  • Les politiques étrangères nationales et l’action extérieure de l’Union européenne (D. CADIER) 

  • EU Borders, Asylum and Migration Policies: A Critical Perspective  (B. İŞLEYEN & V. MORENO-LAX) 

  • Hybrid Threats to European Security: Challenges and Counteraction (H. SMITH) 

  • L’Europe de la sécurité et de la défense (PSCD, capacités, cultures stratégiques) (T. TARDY) 

  • EU Democracy Promotion and Human Rights Policy (R. YOUNGS) 

 

Foreign Economic Relations and Sustainable Development 

  • EU External Energy Policy (A. GOLDTHAU) 

  • The EU and International Development (J. MACKIE) 

  • Négociations et politiques commerciales de l’UE : outils et études de cas (N. PERIDY) 

  • The European Union’s Green Diplomacy in an Evolving Global Context (S. SCHUNZ) 

  • Political Risk Analysis in a European Perspective (C.E SOTILOTTA) 

 

Bi- and Multilateral Diplomacy  

  • Inclusion in EU External Action: Gender and Intersectionality at a Time of Geopolitics (G. ALLWOOD & R. GUERRINA) 

  • Rivalités entre grandes puissances: l'Europe et les nouveaux rapports de force géopolitiques et économiques (A.DEMARAIS & A. EKMAN)  

  • After Liberal Hegemony: Transatlantic Relations at a Crossroads (S. FRÖHLICH) 

  • Speaking with One Voice? The EU's External Representation (C-M GEURTS & S. gstöhl) 

  • The Evolving Relations between the EU and China: Partnership and Competition in a Changing World Order (A MICHALSKI) 

  • EU Enlargement … and UK Withdrawal Order (D PHINNEMORE) 

 

Specific Professional Skills  

  • European Intelligence Analysis and Production in Practice (R. ARCOS) 

  • The EU and Peace Mediation (G. BANIM G. & A. HERRBERG) 

  • Communication Strategies in the European Union (C. COLOMINA SALO) 

  • Le rôle de l’aide humanitaire dans l’action extérieure globale de l’Union européenne : cadre et pratique (A. KOULAIMAH) 

  • Gestion de projets dans la coopération internationale de l’Union européenne (N. MARCOUX) 

  • Digital Diplomacy and the European Union: Global Governance, Geopolitics and Diplomatic Practice (S. TELEANU)

  •  

IRD compact seminars (no ECTS, 8h) 

  • Public Diplomacy and Strategic Communication as EU Foreign Policy Tools (S. BELLOSI) 

  • Political Thinking and Presenting Political Briefings (Z. COLLIER) 

  • Introduction au protocole : protocole diplomatique et européen (E. JESLINKOVA) 

  • Prospective et planification stratégiques dans le cadre de la politique étrangère de l’UE (H. DELPHIN) 

  • Working with EU Media (G. HARDING) 

  • La diplomatie de l’Union européenne sur le terrain dans les régions en conflit (R. KOBIA) 

  • Challenges Facing European Diplomats: Practical Insights (Th. MAYR-HARTING) 

  • L’action extérieure de l’Union européenne : Lobbying et stratégies d’influence (A. MUTAMBA) 

  • Leadership in Foreign Policy: Strategic Thinking and Policy Planning (R. TON) 

 

Some of the compact seminars may take place during the first semester.

 

 

 

MATA-IRD Study Track Year 2

MATA-IRD students have 3 options 

  1. Semester 3 doing a high-level internship and semester 4 at The Fletcher School 

  2. Semester 3 at The Fletcher School and semester 4 doing a high-level internship 

  3. An academic year at The Fletcher School 

     

Additional milestones 

  • Semester 3: Appointment of second thesis supervisor from The Fletcher School  

  • Internship report 

  • Semester 4: Thesis submission and defence  

 

Option 1: IRD Study Track Year 2  

  • Semester 3: High-level internship (25 ECTS) 

  • Semester 4: 4 courses (24 ECTS) at The Fletcher School with the possibility of cross-registration and the substitution of 1 course from Tufts University or Harvard University  

    At least one course from each of the three divisions (‘breadth requirement’):  

  • International Law and Organizations (ILO) 

  • Diplomacy, History and Politics (DHP)  

  • Economics and International Business (EIB) 

 

Thesis submission (25 ECTS) in late March and defence in April. 

 

Option 2: IRD Study Track Year 2  

  • Semester 3: 4 courses (24 ECTS) at The Fletcher School with the possibility of cross-registration and the substitution of 1 course from Tufts University or Harvard University  

At least one course from each of the three divisions (‘breadth requirement’):  

  • International Law and Organizations (ILO) 

  • Diplomacy, History and Politics (DHP)  

  • Economics and International Business (EIB) 

 

  • Semester 4: High-level internship (25 ECTS) 

 

Thesis submission (25 ECTS) in late March and defence in April. 

 

Option 3: IRD Study Track Year 2 at The Fletcher School 

  • Semester 3: 4 courses (24 ECTS) at The Fletcher School with the possibility of cross-registration and the substitution of 1 course from Tufts University or Harvard University plus 1 module (1.5 ECTS) 

At least one course from each of the three divisions (‘breadth requirement’):  

  • International Law and Organizations (ILO) 

  • Diplomacy, History and Politics (DHP)  

  • Economics and International Business (EIB)

     

  • Semester 4: 4 courses (24 ECTS) at The Fletcher School with the possibility of cross-registration and the substitution of 1 course from Tufts University or Harvard University  

 

Thesis submission (25 ECTS) in late March and defense in April. 

 

 

Students starting at the Fletcher School
for the IRD Study Track

MATA-IRD STUDY TRACK SEMESTER 1 at the Fletcher School

MATA-IRD students take 4 courses (23 ECTS) 

  • 1 MATA compulsory course 

  • 3 Fletcher courses

     

Additional milestones: 

  • Allocation of primary thesis supervisor 

  • Internship search 

 

MATA compulsory course: 

  • US-EU Relations in the 21st Century: Multidisciplinary Analysis of Transatlantic Affairs (D. SKIADAS D. & I. LESSER, 5 ECTS, 27h)

     

3 Fletcher courses, with at least one course from each of the three divisions (‘breadth requirement’):  

  • International Law and Organizations (ILO) 

  • Diplomacy, History and Politics (DHP)  

  • Economics and International Business (EIB) 

Cross-registration and substitution of 1 course from Tufts University or Harvard University possible

 

 

 

 

MATA-IRD STUDY TRACK SEMESTER 2 at the Fletcher School

MATA-IRD students take 5 courses (29 ECTS): 

  • 1 MATA compulsory course 

  • 4 Fletcher courses

     

Additional milestones: 

  • Internship search 

  • Thesis proposal 

 

MATA compulsory courses 

  • US-EU Relations in the 21st Century: Transatlantic Project (B. BERTI & M. KOPLOVSKY, 5 ECTS, 20h)

     

4 Fletcher courses (24 ECTS), with at least one course from each of the three divisions (‘breadth requirement’):  

  • International Law and Organizations (ILO) 

  • Diplomacy, History and Politics (DHP)  

  • Economics and International Business (EIB) 

Cross-registration and substitution of 1 course from Tufts University or Harvard University possible 

 

 

 

MATA-IRD STUDY TRACK SEMESTER 3

MATA-IRD students undertake a high-level internship (25 ECTS) 

 

Additional milestones: 

  • Appointment of second thesis supervisor from the College of Europe 

  • Course selection for semester 4 

  • Internship report 

 

 

MATA-IRD STUDY TRACK SEMESTER 4 in Bruges      

During their second semester, MATA-IRD students take 5 courses (18 ECTS): 

  • 1 MATA compulsory course 

  • 4 IRD optional courses 

plus 

  • Thesis submission and defense (25 ECTS) 

     

Students can also select from voluntary courses (no ECTS) 

  • IRD simulation game 

  • Compact seminars 

     

Additional milestones: 

  • MATA study trip 

  • IRD study trip 

 

MATA compulsory courses 

  • Southern Atlanticism: Rethinking Mental Maps of Transatlantic Relations (I. LESSER, no ECTS, 8h)

     

IRD optional courses (select 4, preferably spread across at least 2 different clusters) (4.5 ECTS, 25h): 

Security, Justice and Values 

  • Les politiques étrangères nationales et l’action extérieure de l’Union européenne (D. CADIER) 

  • EU Borders, Asylum and Migration Policies: A Critical Perspective  (B. İŞLEYEN & V. MORENO-LAX)

  • L’Europe de la sécurité et de la défense (PSCD, capacités, cultures stratégiques) (T. TARDY) 

  • EU Democracy Promotion and Human Rights Policy (R. YOUNGS) 

 

Foreign Economic Relations and Sustainable Development 

  • EU External Energy Policy (A. GOLDTHAU) 

  • The EU and International Development (J. MACKIE) 

  • Négociations et politiques commerciales de l’UE : outils et études de cas (N. PERIDY) 

  • The European Union’s Green Diplomacy in an Evolving Global Context (S. SCHUNZ) 

  • Political Risk Analysis in a European Perspective (C.E SOTILOTTA) 

 

Bi- and Multilateral Diplomacy  

  • Inclusion in EU External Action: Gender and Intersectionality at a Time of Geopolitics (G. ALLWOOD & R. GUERRINA) 

  • Rivalités entre grandes puissances: l'Europe et les nouveaux rapports de force géopolitiques et économiques (A.DEMARAIS & A. EKMAN)  

  • After Liberal Hegemony: Transatlantic Relations at a Crossroads (S. FRÖHLICH) 

  • Speaking with One Voice? The EU's External Representation  (C-M. GEURTS  & S. gstöhl) 

  • The Evolving Relations between the EU and China: Partnership and Competition in a Changing World Order (A. MICHALSKI) 

  • EU Enlargement … and UK Withdrawal Order (D. PHINNEMORE) 

 

Specific Professional Skills  

  • European Intelligence Analysis and Production in Practice (R. ARCOS) 

  • The EU and Peace Mediation (G. BANIM G. & A. HERRBERG) 

  • Communication Strategies in the European Union (C. COLOMINA SALO) 

  • Le rôle de l’aide humanitaire dans l’action extérieure globale de l’Union européenne : cadre et pratique (A. KOULAIMAH) 

  • Gestion de projets dans la coopération internationale de l’Union européenne (N. MARCOUX) 

  • Digital Diplomacy and the European Union: Global Governance, Geopolitics and Diplomatic Practice (S. TELEANU)

 

IRD compact seminars (no ECTS, 8h) 

  • Public Diplomacy and Strategic Communication as EU Foreign Policy Tools (S. BELLOSI) 

  • Political Thinking and Presenting Political Briefings (Z. COLLIER) 

  • Introduction au protocole : protocole diplomatique et européen (E. JESLINKOVA) 

  • Prospective et planification stratégiques dans le cadre de la politique étrangère de l’UE (H. DELPHIN) 

  • Working with EU Media (G. HARDING) 

  • La diplomatie de l’Union européenne sur le terrain dans les régions en conflit (R. KOBIA) 

  • Challenges Facing European Diplomats: Practical Insights (Th. MAYR-HARTING) 

  • L’action extérieure de l’Union européenne : Lobbying et stratégies d’influence (A. MUTAMBA) 

  • Leadership in Foreign Policy: Strategic Thinking and Policy Planning (R. TON) 

 

Some of the compact seminars may take place during the first semester. 

 

IRD simulation game (no ECTS, 30h) 

  • EU International Crisis Response (A. RIBO LABASTIDA & Q. WEILER)  

 

Thesis submission (25 ECTS) in late March and defence in April

 

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