MA International Relations and Regional Studies

The MA in International Relations and Regional Studies at the University of Tartu is a full-time, postgraduate programme offered by the Faculty of Social Sciences in Tartu, Estonia. The programme combines the comprehensive study of international relations as an academic discipline and political practice with an in-depth understanding of specific geographic regions. Students can develop regional expertise in the European Union, Russia and Eurasia, or the Baltic Sea region, while gaining a broader understanding of international relations and political practices.

The programme has a nominal duration of 2 years and 120 ECTS and is taught entirely in English. Graduates receive the Master of Arts in Social Sciences (International Relations and Regional Studies). The programme is intended for students seeking internationally oriented careers in areas such as diplomacy, public service, governmental bodies, international organisations, non-governmental organisations, the private sector, journalism, lobby groups, and academia.

Programme Highlights

Students have the opportunity to become specialists in one of the programme’s geographical regions while developing a strong understanding of international relations. The programme also provides practical knowledge through field trips to conflict zones and international organisations. The University of Tartu states that politics is one of its highest-ranking specialities, with the university ranked among the top 200 universities in the world in politics.

Programme Structure

The programme combines international relations with regional studies and allows students to focus on the European Union, Russia and Eurasia, or the Baltic Sea region. A detailed overview of the courses and programme structure is available on the programme website.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification of 180 ECTS, which must be obtained by the end of July. Country-specific document requirements may apply. To be eligible to apply, applicants must have an average grade of at least 60% of the maximum.

Admission also includes an online interview. For the 2026 admission cycle, interviews are scheduled for 1–2 April and 9–10 April 2026. Candidates with an average grade of at least 60% in their previous study level are invited to the interview.

The interview lasts approximately 20 minutes and assesses the applicant’s motivation and ambition, research interests and ability to formulate a research problem or topic, oral English skills, and preparedness to adapt to a new academic and cultural environment. The interview is evaluated out of 100 points, with a minimum positive score of 51 points.

The final admission score is calculated from the weighted combination of the previous study level’s average grade and the admission interview. Applications must achieve a combined score of at least 66 points to qualify for admission.

Entry qualification documents are accepted in English or Estonian.

English Language Requirements

All applicants must meet the University of Tartu’s English language requirements. The source specifies that only the English tests and exemption categories listed by the university are accepted.

Tuition Fees

The tuition fee for the programme is €4,800 per year.

Citizens and permanent residence permit holders of EU/EEA countries or Switzerland are exempt from tuition fees. For applicants from outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland, the programme does not provide general tuition waivers. However, five admitted students receive a 100% tuition fee reduction for their first semester.

Applicants who are not citizens of the EU/EEA or Switzerland must pre-pay half of the first semester’s tuition fee after receiving an admission offer.

In addition to tuition, an €100 non-refundable application fee applies.

Career Opportunities

The programme prepares graduates for a broad range of careers in international affairs. Potential career areas include national foreign ministries and other governmental bodies, EU institutions, international organisations, non-governmental organisations, lobby groups, journalism, academia, and the private sector.

Study Start

The programme’s listed study commencement date is 31 August.