Master in International Relations at University of Macerata
Two-year English-taught LM-52 master's at the University of Macerata with three curricula in international politics and economic relations, plus double degrees in Germany and Brazil. Entry needs set subject credits and English at B2.
Master
2 years
Macerata
English
University of Macerata
International Relations (IR) is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-52) taught in English at the University of Macerata. Entry needs a bachelor's in a field such as political science, economics, law or business, with set credits for your chosen curriculum, plus English at B2. International students pay reduced fees by country of origin, and the course can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
Macerata's International Relations master asks for a bachelor's degree in a related field with set credits for your chosen curriculum, English at CEFR B2, a motivation letter and at least two references, assessed by the IR pre-admission committee. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
Degree and credit rule
The course is open to holders of a bachelor's degree in political science, international relations, economics, law, commerce, management, business, social sciences, communication or foreign languages. Your bachelor's must also include a minimum number of credits for the curriculum you choose. [1]
- International Politics and Economic Relations (IPER): at least 6 ECTS in at least two of these areas: law, politics and sociology, political history and philosophy, economics and statistics, languages.
- International Economic Relations (IER): at least 12 ECTS in economics and statistics, or at least 6 ECTS in economics and statistics plus at least 6 ECTS in one of the other listed areas.
- International Politics (IP): at least 12 ECTS in political science and sociology or in law; or 6 ECTS in political science and sociology plus 6 ECTS in law; or 6 ECTS in political science and sociology or in law plus 6 ECTS in political history and philosophy, economics and statistics, or languages.
What this means for your transcript
The credit blocks are small, but they are counted by subject area, so the names and content of your courses matter. As a guide, based on the rule above:
- Usually a fit: a BA in Political Science, International Relations or Economics, an LLB or BA LLB, or a BA (Hons) with politics, sociology or economics papers, which often cover the credits for IPER and IP.
- Check carefully: a B.Com or BBA usually has economics and statistics papers for IER, but may lack the politics, sociology or law credits that IP asks for. A BA in English or another language covers the languages area but needs a second area for IPER.
- Often short: a B.Tech, B.E., BCA or B.Sc. in a science subject is not in the listed fields and rarely holds credits in these areas.
We check your transcript against each curriculum before you apply. [1]
English
You need English at CEFR level B2 or higher, shown in one of three ways: [1]
- An internationally recognised certificate, or the same level reached through university exams. The course website lists examples such as Cambridge B2, TOEFL 87, IELTS 6.5, BULATS 75, Unicert level II, CLES 2 and CET4. Other language documents are assessed case by case. [3]
- Being a native English speaker.
- A bachelor's degree taught in English, with proof of English as the medium of instruction.
Italian is not required. Non-EU applicants living abroad who enrol in this English-taught course are exempt from the Italian language test. [1]
Selection
There is no entrance test. The IR pre-admission committee evaluates each complete application and decides whether you are pre-admitted. [1][3]
- Motivation letter: it must explain why you chose this course at Macerata, what you expect during and after it and how you plan to reach your goals, and the qualities that make you a strong candidate. It must be original: plagiarism affects the evaluation.
- References: at least two.
Where the committee asks for it, students receive suggested readings after formal admission and must pass qualifying interviews in the relevant subject areas. [3]
2027/28 application rounds
Applications for 2027/28 run in six rounds, each closing at 23:59 Central European Time: [1]
- 3 November to 30 November 2026
- 1 December 2026 to 8 January 2027
- 11 January to 1 February 2027
- 2 February to 1 March 2027
- 2 March to 31 March 2027
- 1 April to 30 April 2027
Studies start on 13 September 2027. [1] From 2027/28, UniMC charges a €20 pre-admission application fee, and you can apply before you graduate to learn in advance whether you are eligible. [2]
Documents and non-EU steps
Your degree documents are accepted in English or Italian. For the pre-admission review, documents in other languages need English or Italian translations, which can be unofficial at this stage. [1]
- Universitaly: pre-admitted applicants who need a study visa complete Universitaly pre-enrolment, uploading the same documents, then apply for the visa at the Italian mission. If your final diploma was not ready at pre-admission, you add it to the pre-enrolment before the visa deadlines. [2]
- Enrolment in Macerata: your bachelor's diploma and transcript, legalised, plus one of a Diploma Supplement (for degrees from Bologna Process countries), a declaration of value or a CIMEA statement. With a Diploma Supplement, the transcript is not needed. [2]
- Translations: documents in English do not need an Italian translation for this English-taught course. Documents in other languages need an official Italian translation. [1]
First-year enrolment runs from 19 June to 31 October, and you bring your original documents to the university. [1][2]
Sources and verification
Checked by the ApplyAZ admissions team against the university's official documents listed below. Entry rules can change with each new call, and we re-check them before every application.
- University of Macerata, Department of Political Sciences, Communication and International Relations. International Relations (LM-52) programme entry on the university's pre-admission portal, academic year 2027/28. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Macerata. Admission and enrolment procedures for international students requiring a visa and holding a foreign qualification, undated (refers to academic year 2027/28). Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Macerata, International Relations course website. How to enrol pages: admission requirements, pre-admission committee and suggested readings, undated. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
International Relations (IR) is a two-year master's degree (laurea magistrale, class LM-52) worth 120 ECTS, run by the Department of Political Sciences, Communication and International Relations of the University of Macerata. It is taught entirely in English and combines the institutional view of a school of government with the practical approach of business studies. [1]
The course is small by design, and its students have come from 40 different countries. [1] It suits graduates in political science, economics, law, business, social sciences or languages who want to work on international politics, trade or cooperation.
What you will study
You choose one of three curricula: International Economic Relations (economic and commercial relations and foreign markets), International Politics and Economic Relations (the most multidisciplinary track) or International Politics (governance and public policy). All tracks require further foreign languages besides English. Units in the 2026/27 offer include:
- History of International Relations and European Union Institutions and Policies
- Comparative Political Economy and Comparative Government and Politics of West and East Europe
- International Marketing, International Business Strategy and Quantitative Methods for Economics
- Project Cycle Management and International Trade and Investment
- Courts and Human Rights, International Human Rights, and Globalization and Theories of Justice
- Electives such as African Government and Politics, East Asian Government and Politics, Global Environmental Law and Food Law and Policies
- Languages including French, Spanish, German, Arabic, Chinese and Russian, plus Academic Writing, an internship and a 12 ECTS final exam
How the programme is taught
Classes are small and interactive, and curricular internships can take place in Italy or abroad, with Erasmus+ traineeship grants for placements outside Italy. Double degrees let selected students spend time abroad, at European University Viadrina in Frankfurt (Oder), Germany, or at the State University of Campinas in Brazil, where International Economic Relations students can spend one or two semesters. [1]
Career paths
The course prepares senior and middle managers for ministries, especially foreign affairs, governmental and non-governmental international organisations, companies operating internationally and non-profit bodies in international cooperation. The course page cites AlmaLaurea data showing 81.3% of graduates in work within a year. Profiles it names include:
- Specialist in international economic and commercial relations
- International cooperation project manager
- Policy specialist in national or European institutions
- Market analyst and business or marketing expert
- Political science expert
Fees and scholarships
The full-time maximum at UniMC is €1,600 a year, but international students pay much less by country of origin: €156 for developing and non-OECD countries and €807 for OECD countries under the 2025/26 rules, with merit conditions from year two. [1] Non-EU students can also apply to ERDIS Marche for an income and merit-based scholarship, so IR can be tuition-free for eligible students.
How to apply from outside the EU
The IR pre-admission committee reviews applications submitted on UniMC's DreamApply portal, with your degree documents, proof of English, a motivation letter and at least two references. [1] The 2027/28 intake has six rounds between 3 November 2026 and 30 April 2027, and teaching begins on 13 September 2027. [1] From 2027/28, UniMC charges a €20 pre-admission application fee. [2]
Pre-admitted students receive a letter by email and complete Universitaly pre-enrolment, which opens after the ministry publishes its annual procedures, around spring. They then request a type D study visa and enrol in Macerata with a declaration of value or CIMEA statement, or a Diploma Supplement for degrees from Bologna Process countries. [2][3]
How ApplyAZ helps
ApplyAZ is an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities. We can include this programme in a shortlist of 20 to 30 English-taught programmes that fit your profile, so your plan never rests on a single application.
For eligible students who start with us, a named person owns each stage, from A to Z:
- We check your transcript against Macerata's entry rules for this programme.
- We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose.
- We prepare and submit your pre-admission application on DreamApply and Universitaly pre-enrolment.
- We help you declare your family income for reduced fees and file your ERDIS Marche scholarship application at the right time and in the right format.
- We prepare your visa file.
With operations in all 20 Italian regions, we follow each region's scholarship rules and deadlines as they change. The university decides admission, the region decides the scholarship and the consulate decides the visa, so no one can promise an outcome. You pay in milestones, and every service you pay for is either delivered or its fee is refunded (terms apply).
Programmes at Italian public universities can be tuition-free for eligible students. Check if you are eligible and book a one-to-one consultation session with one of our Italy experts, or see how ApplyAZ works.
Questions and answers
What bachelor's degree do I need for the International Relations master at Macerata?
A bachelor's in political science, international relations, economics, law, commerce, management, business, social sciences, communication or foreign languages, with set credits for your curriculum: for example at least 12 ECTS in economics and statistics for International Economic Relations. [1]
Which curricula can I choose?
Three: International Politics and Economic Relations, International Economic Relations, and International Politics. Each has its own minimum credits from your bachelor's, from 6 ECTS in two areas for IPER to 12 ECTS in set areas for IER and IP. [1]
Is there an entrance exam?
No written entrance test. The IR pre-admission committee evaluates your application, including your degree, a motivation letter and at least two references. Non-EU applicants living abroad are also exempt from the Italian language test, because the course is taught in English. [1]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
English at CEFR B2. The course website lists certificates such as IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 87 and Cambridge B2. Native speakers, and graduates of an English-taught bachelor's with proof of medium of instruction, also meet the rule. [1][3]
When is the deadline for non-EU students?
For 2027/28 there are six pre-admission rounds. The first runs from 3 November to 30 November 2026 and the last from 1 April to 30 April 2027. Studies start on 13 September 2027. [1]
Can I apply before I graduate?
Yes. UniMC accepts pre-admission applications from students about to graduate. If your final diploma is not ready at pre-admission, you add it to your Universitaly pre-enrolment before the visa deadlines. [2]
I have a B.Com or a BBA. Can I apply?
Often, for International Economic Relations, which asks for 12 ECTS in economics and statistics, or 6 plus 6 in another listed area. International Politics needs political science, sociology or law credits, which commerce degrees may lack, so we check your transcript for each curriculum. [1]
How much are the fees?
The 2027/28 listing shows the 2025/26 rules: students from developing and non-OECD countries pay €156 a year and students from OECD countries €807, with merit conditions from the second year. [1] Eligible non-EU students can also apply for the ERDIS Marche scholarship.
Can someone handle my whole application to International Relations at Macerata?
Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your transcript against Macerata's rules for this programme, handles the application and Universitaly pre-enrolment, helps you file the ERDIS Marche scholarship application at the right time and in the right format, and prepares your visa file, for eligible students. Start by checking your eligibility.
I'm applying from India. What is the route into International Relations?
A recognised Indian bachelor's in political science, economics, law, commerce, business, social sciences, communication or languages can fit if it holds the credits set for your chosen curriculum, and you need English at B2. The steps are the online pre-admission application, a pre-admission letter and Universitaly pre-enrolment. [1] Indian students apply for the type D study visa at the Italian embassy or consulate that covers their state, such as New Delhi, Mumbai or Bengaluru.
Is the route different from Pakistan, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka?
No. The academic rules for International Relations are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: online pre-admission application, pre-admission letter and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa from the Italian mission for their country of residence. Read our guide for students in Dhaka.
I live in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman or Bahrain. Where do I apply for the visa?
At the Italian embassy or consulate responsible for the country where you legally live, after Universitaly pre-enrolment. The academic rules for International Relations are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: online pre-admission application, pre-admission letter and Universitaly pre-enrolment. Read our guides for Dubai, Riyadh and Doha.
I'm applying from the UK, US, Canada, Singapore or Malaysia. Is anything different?
The academic rules are identical. Non-EU applicants who live abroad, including citizens of these countries, follow the same route: online pre-admission application, pre-admission letter and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa. Read our guides for London, New York, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
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