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

The MSc in International Relations, Strategy and Security is designed to provide students with a comprehensive and continuous assessment of contemporary international affairs, strategic thinking, and global security dynamics. The program emphasizes both traditional and non-traditional threats, challenges, and opportunities emerging in the international arena, requiring agility and adaptability at national, regional, and international levels. This postgraduate programme offers in-depth academic training in key concepts, theories, and case studies, paired with structured engagement in contemporary debates and real-world practices. By integrating theoretical approaches with current, relevant case studies, students are encouraged to critically analyze and engage with complex international issues, equipping them to think and act strategically. 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, while connecting traditional security (e.g., war, peace, and conflict resolution) with non-traditional concerns such as cyber security.

The program provides students with a robust theoretical and empirical foundation in the evolving “ecosystem of security.” A core aim of the program is to prepare students for leadership and professional roles in the international arena by developing new methods, strategies, and tactics in addressing security challenges. Students are encouraged to actively engage with the academic community, contribute to public discourse, and connect with international networks both during and after their studies. Graduates of the Programme are expected to have a thorough understanding of international politics, 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. 40% of the students’ final grade in each course corresponds to their performance in the midterm assessment which takes the form of written assignments and interactive activities, whereas 60% corresponds to their performance in the final assessment. 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 examination.

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