Target group

The "Master of Advanced International Studies" programme is intended for university graduates of all disciplines and all nationalities who wish to extend their knowledge of international relations through a multi-discplinary Master’s programme.

Academic focus

Under the rubric “European Integration in a Changing World” the MAIS programme equips participants with the analytical skills necessary for a better understanding and assessment of current European and global trends in the fields of politics, law and economics. MAIS graduates are thus in a position to actively shape these processes during their future careers.

Programme structure

The MAIS programme extends over two years.

MAIS (1st year)

After individual student counselling, in the first year of the Masters of Advanced International Studies students attend, as required, classes in the fields of political science, international relations, economics and international economic relations, contemporary history, as well as international and European law, to complement and supplement the knowledge previously acquired in undergraduate programmes and to lay the necessary basis for the analysis of specific topic areas foreseen for MAIS (2 nd year).

MAIS (2nd year)

In the second year of MAIS students deepen their knowledge in specialised courses and seminars. Additionally, the approach becomes more inter-disciplinary. In their Master’s thesis students are required to analyse a concrete problem in international relations from the aspect of at least two academic disciplines.

Language

The language of instruction is English. Some courses are held in German or French. All examinations are in English.

Language training
Over the course of the two MAIS years students must complete a language module comprising at least 4 ECTS. Language courses are offered in German, French, Chinese, Spanish and Russian.

Study trips

Study trips are an integral component of both MAIS years. Trips to Brussels und Luxembourg offer an insight into the work of various European institutions. Additionally, visits are made to the many international organisations headquartered in Vienna (UNO, OSCE, OPEC, UNIDO, IAEA, EUMC etc.). In the second MAIS year there are extended field trips to the countries of the West Balkans (Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia-Hercegovina) and to Ukraine.

Admission requirements

In order to be eligible for admission to the MAIS programme, candidates must

• hold a university degree in any discipline (minimum 180 ECTS) and
  
• have an excellent command of English.

Those candidates whose mother tongue is not English must furnish evidence of their competence in the language: apart from a first degree in English or CPE, only IELTS (academic module) with a minimum grade of 7.0 or TOEFL with minimum marks of 627 points (paper test), 263 points (computer test) or 106 points (Internet test) are acceptable.

Candidates who have not participated in MAIS (1st year) may be admitted direct to MAIS (2nd year)

• either if they have completed the Diploma course of the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna or an equivalent university programme (for instance, within the framework of a cooperation agreement with other universities)
  
  
• or if they have participated in either a first degree or another post-graduate university programme which comprises at least 60 ECTS points and which covers the contents of the MAIS (1 st year) compulsory modules in economics, law, political science and history.

Admission procedure

The online MAIS application form is available on the website of the Diplomatic Academy and has to be sent by regular mail to the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna. All applications are assessed by the MAIS commission. Candidates may be invited to a personal interview.

DEADLINE for all applications is 15 March 2010. 

For further information please visit the website of the Diplomatic Academy:  http://www.da-vienna.ac.at