Master of Advanced International Studies (MAIS)

Abschluss: Master of Arts (M. A.)
Umfang: 4 Semesters, 120 ECTS Punkte
Studienart: Präsenzstudium, Vollzeit
Bildungsfeld: Politik & Recht, Sprachen, Kultur & Geschichte, Wirtschaft & Management
Unterrichtssprache: English
Kosten: EUR 12,900 / academic year
Website: www.da-vienna.ac.at

MASTER OF ADVANCED INTERNATIONAL STUDIES (MAIS)

The MAIS programme is a two-year academic programme which centres on the advanced study of politics and international relations, international economics, history, and international and European law. Students have to complete an interdisciplinary thesis in this research-based programme. Equipped with extensive knowledge, strong analytical skills, some language competency, and the experience of an international community, graduates proceed to positions in international organisations, business, and government or to further research and academic careers. The MAIS is a joint Master’s degree of the Diplomatic Academy and the University of Vienna.

Target group:
- University and college graduates of all disciplines and all nationalities who wish to attain profound knowledge of international relations through a multidiscplinary Master’s programme
Language of instruction
- English, with some optional courses offered in German and French
Degree awarded
- Master of Advanced International Studies, awarded by the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna together with Vienna University. Graduates holding the academic degree of “Master of Advanced International Studies” (MAIS) are entitled to enrol at university in any doctoral programme related to their field of study. The degree can be positioned after the name.
Duration
- Two-year full-time programme

The MAIS programme extends over two years.

MAIS-1

In the first year of the Master of Advanced International Studies students attend classes in the fields of political science, international relations, economics and international economic relations, contemporary history, as well as international and European law. The student’s interests, preferences and prior knowledge are taken into account in individual student counselling sessions. The knowledge previously acquired in undergraduate programmes is complemented and supplemented, and the necessary basis for the analysis of specific topic areas in the MAIS2 year is created.

MAIS-2

In the second MAIS year students apply the knowledge acquired during the MAIS1 year in specialised courses and seminars to analyse problems and solve case studies. Methodological and interdisciplinary seminars, presented by prominent personalities from politics and science, prepare students for writing their Master’s thesis. In their Master’s thesis students are required to analyse a specific problem in international relations from the aspect of at least two academic disciplines.

Study Trips

In the first MAIS year a study trip to Brussels offers students the opportunity to examine European institutions at first hand. During the second MAIS year there is a study trip to the countries of the Western Balkans. Additional study trips (for example to Ukraine/Poland or Bulgaria) are offered to all programmes.
Furthermore, there are excursions to international organisations headquartered in Vienna (UNO, OSCE, OPEC, UNIDO, IAEA, EUMC).

Language Training

Over the course of the two MAIS years students must complete language courses in German or French comprising at least 4 ECTS. In cooperation with the Language Centre of the University of Vienna and the Confucius Institute at the University of Vienna the DA offers further optional courses in the official languages of the UN: Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish.