Master in International Security Studies at University of Trento
Two-year English-taught LM-52 master's jointly awarded by the University of Trento and Sant'Anna School in Pisa, covering military, human, economic, environmental and cyber security, with a semester for a traineeship or research abroad. Entry needs 60 subject credits, a 24/30 average and English at B2.
Master
2 years
Trento
English
University of Trento
International Security Studies (MISS) is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-52) taught in English, jointly awarded by the University of Trento and the Sant'Anna School in Pisa. Entry needs a bachelor's with 60 credits in two areas such as politics, economics or law, a 24/30 average or equivalent, English at B2 and a basic second language. Non-EU fees follow your admission score, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
UniTrento's International Security Studies master asks for a bachelor's degree or recognised foreign equivalent with at least 60 credits in at least two of history and philosophy, economics, law, political science, sociology or foreign languages, a grade average of at least 24 out of 30 or equivalent, English at B2, basic knowledge of a second foreign language and a merit score of at least 50 out of 100. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
Degree, grades and background
You need a bachelor's degree or higher, awarded in Italy or abroad and recognised as equivalent. It must include the equivalent of at least 60 credits from at least two of these disciplinary areas: [1]
- History and philosophy
- Economics
- Law
- Political science
- Sociology
- Foreign languages
You also need a grade point average of at least 24 out of 30, or an equivalent foreign grade, and a personal background of academic, vocational and professional experience suited to the interdisciplinary nature of the degree. [1]
For 2026/27, non-EU applicants could apply before graduating if they obtained their bachelor's before 30 June 2026. For degrees from abroad, UniTrento may ask for a statement of verification or a statement of comparability. [1]
What this means for your transcript
Degrees from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka do not use Italian credits, so the committee reads your course list against the areas above. As a guide, based on the rule above:
- Usually a fit: a BA in Political Science, History, Economics or Sociology, a BA combining two of these subjects, or a BA LLB with political science, economics or sociology papers.
- Check carefully: a B.Com or BBA, which may reach 60 credits through economics and business law courses, though accounting and management courses do not fall in the listed areas. A BA in English or another language also needs a second area, such as history or political science.
- Often short: a B.Tech, B.E., BCA or B.Sc. in a science subject, which usually has few courses in the listed areas.
Your average matters too. The call asks for 24 out of 30 or an equivalent foreign grade and gives no conversion table, so we check how your marks compare before you apply. [1]
English and a second foreign language
English at CEFR level B2 or higher, shown by one of these certificates dated March 2024 or later: [1]
- IELTS: no skill below 5.5. IELTS Indicator is accepted.
- TOEFL iBT: no skill below 21, or the equivalent paper-based or computer-based TOEFL. TOEFL Home Edition is accepted.
- Cambridge B2 First: no skill below 165.
If you gained your bachelor's or master's at a university where teaching is entirely in English, you do not need a certificate. [1]
You also need at least basic knowledge of a second foreign language other than Italian: Arabic, Chinese, French, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish or German. You declare this yourself in the application. [1]
Selection and ranking
There is no written entrance test. A committee of three teaching staff from Trento's School of International Studies and the Sant'Anna School in Pisa checks the entry requirements and scores your file out of 100: [1]
- Up to 60 points: academic background and reference letter, including your bachelor's final mark, weighted average, other curricular activities, publications, professional experience, placements and voluntary work, language skills and the reference letter.
- Up to 15 points: statement of purpose, judged on clarity, motivation, relevance to the course, English and originality.
- Up to 25 points: how relevant your previous studies and extracurricular activities, such as placements, summer schools and jobs, are to the aims of MISS.
You need at least 50 out of 100 to be suitable. The committee may call you for an interview, in person or online, only if it needs more information. If scores are tied, the younger candidate ranks higher. [1]
2026/27 places and deadlines
For 2026/27 there were 35 places, 5 of them reserved for non-EU nationals living abroad. Non-EU applicants had one call, from 17 December 2025 to 4 March 2026 at noon CET, and the first-call ranking was due by 30 April 2026. The second call, from 1 April to 30 June 2026, was open only to Europeans and equivalents, and unused first-round places moved to it. [1]
Admitted non-EU students had to obtain their visa by 30 September 2026 and enrol by 31 October 2026. These are the 2026/27 dates. The 2027/28 call is not yet published and will set the new dates. [1]
Documents and non-EU steps
The online application needs: [1]
- a copy of the personal data pages of your passport;
- your bachelor's degree certificate, or a registration certificate showing your expected graduation date;
- a transcript listing all courses, exams and marks, with your weighted average and the minimum to maximum mark range, plus an official translation if it is not in English or Italian;
- a transcript of any master's degree already awarded;
- a reference letter, preferably from a university lecturer, uploaded with the application or sent by the referee to the programme;
- a CV in English in the Europass format;
- your English certificate;
- a signed declaration of at least basic knowledge of your second foreign language;
- a statement of purpose in English, up to 4,000 characters including spaces.
Once admitted, you confirm your place by the date published with the ranking list. Admitted non-EU students then complete pre-enrolment with the Italian diplomatic mission in their country, which is compulsory for the visa. [1]
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 Trento, School of International Studies. Public selection for admission to the Two-Year Master's Degree in International Security Studies (MISS), offered jointly with the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, academic year 2026/27 (English translation of the call). Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Trento, International Security Studies programme pages: home and overview (teaching language, joint degree, locations, study plan and career outcomes). Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
International Security Studies (MISS) is a two-year master's degree (laurea magistrale, class LM-52) worth 120 ECTS and taught in English. It is jointly awarded by the University of Trento, through its School of International Studies, and the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa. The first year takes place in Trento, at the Paolo Prodi building in via Tommaso Gar, and the second year in Pisa. [1][2]
The course treats security as a lens on international relations and draws on political science, law, economics, history, political sociology, political geography and political philosophy. Beyond the strategic and military view, it covers human, economic and financial, environmental and climate, resource and food, and cyber and digital security. It suits graduates in the social sciences, law, economics or languages with a strong interest in global affairs.
What you will study
The first year builds the core of security studies with a set of required units and guided choices in economics, history and environmental security. The second year adds regional and thematic options, skills courses and the thesis. Units in the current plan include: [2]
- Security Studies: Concepts and Cases and Power, Force and Violence in International Politics
- International Law and National Security, and Research Methods in Security Studies
- Economic Security or Development Economics, and History and International Relations of the Middle East
- Global Food Security, Natural Resources and Energy Security, or Political Geographies of Environmental Change
- Terrorism and Insurgency in Peace and War, plus two of African Security, European Security and Security Assistance in Fragile Contexts
- Ethics of Security or The Global South and the International Order
- A thesis (18 ECTS), with an Italian A2 course required for students who do not speak Italian
How the programme is taught
A whole semester is set aside for a traineeship or a research experience abroad, which builds language and transversal skills. You also take part in practical, innovative learning activities with international academics, experts and practitioners, and graduate with a degree awarded jointly by the two universities. [2]
Career paths
The university lists roles such as security analyst, researcher, official in national and international governmental and non-governmental organisations, expert in designing and monitoring security policies, and manager of intervention strategies in crisis and conflict settings. Employers include United Nations bodies, EU institutions and agencies, ministries such as foreign affairs or defence, NGOs, think tanks and private risk consultancies. [2]
Fees and scholarships
Under the 2026/27 call, the first-year fee for non-EU students living abroad followed the admission score: 90 or more brought a full tuition waiver, and lower scores meant a reduced fee. In year two, earning at least 42 CFU by 10 August 2027 brings a full waiver, and fewer credits mean a partial fee. [1]
UniTrento also grants scholarships to top-ranked non-EU applicants who score at least 90. They come with a fee waiver, are paid only after arrival in Italy and cannot be combined with MAECI, Unicolor or Invest Your Talent in Italy scholarships. [1] Eligible students can also apply to Opera Universitaria di Trento. MISS can be tuition-free for eligible students.
How to apply from outside the EU
Applications go through the University of Trento. MISS had 35 places for 2026/27, 5 of them reserved for non-EU citizens living abroad. A committee of teaching staff from Trento's School of International Studies and the Sant'Anna School scored academic background and a reference letter (up to 60 points), a statement of purpose (up to 15) and the relevance of your studies and experience (up to 25), and 50 out of 100 was needed to be suitable. [1]
Non-EU applicants could use only the first 2026/27 call, from 17 December 2025 to 4 March 2026 at noon CET, and the first-call ranking was due by 30 April 2026. The second call was open only to Europeans and equivalents. [1]
Once admitted, you confirm your place by the date published with the ranking list. Admitted non-EU students must then complete pre-enrolment with the Italian diplomatic mission in their country, which is compulsory for the visa. [1] We handle your Universitaly pre-enrolment with you, and you apply for a type D study visa. For 2026/27, admitted non-EU students had to obtain the visa by 30 September 2026 and enrol by 31 October 2026. The 2027/28 call is not yet published and will set the new dates. [1]
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 UniTrento's entry rules for this programme.
- We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose.
- We prepare and submit your online application, place confirmation and Universitaly pre-enrolment.
- We help you declare your family income for reduced fees and file your regional DSU 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 International Security Studies at UniTrento?
A bachelor's degree or higher, or a recognised foreign equivalent, with at least 60 credits from at least two of: history and philosophy, economics, law, political science, sociology or foreign languages. You also need an average of at least 24 out of 30 or an equivalent foreign grade. [1]
Is there an entrance exam?
No written test. A committee from Trento and the Sant'Anna School scores your file out of 100: up to 60 for your academic background and reference letter, 15 for your statement of purpose and 25 for the relevance of your studies and experience. You need at least 50, and an interview is held only if needed. [1]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
English at B2, with a certificate dated March 2024 or later: IELTS with no skill below 5.5, TOEFL iBT with no skill below 21 or Cambridge B2 First with no skill below 165. IELTS Indicator and TOEFL Home Edition are accepted. A degree from a university that teaches entirely in English replaces the certificate, so we check which proof fits your file. [1]
Do I need a second foreign language?
Yes. You need at least basic knowledge of Arabic, Chinese, French, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish or German, declared in your application. Italian does not count. During the degree, the study plan takes this second language further, to B2. [1][2]
When is the deadline for non-EU students?
For 2026/27, non-EU applicants living abroad had one call, from 17 December 2025 to 4 March 2026 at noon CET, for 5 reserved places. The ranking was due by 30 April 2026. The 2027/28 call is not yet published and will set the new dates. [1]
Can I apply before I graduate?
Yes. For 2026/27, non-EU applicants still finishing their bachelor's could apply if they obtained the degree before 30 June 2026. Instead of the degree certificate, you upload a registration certificate showing your expected graduation date. [1]
I have a B.Com or a B.Tech. Can I apply?
It depends on your transcript. The rule asks for 60 credits across at least two of history and philosophy, economics, law, political science, sociology or foreign languages. A B.Com with enough economics and business law courses may meet it, while most B.Tech degrees have few such courses and often fall short. We check your course list against the rule. [1]
Where is International Security Studies taught?
The first year is in Trento at the School of International Studies and the second year is at the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa. One semester is set aside for a work placement or research abroad, and the degree is awarded jointly. [2]
Can someone handle my whole application to International Security Studies at UniTrento?
Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your transcript against UniTrento's rules for this programme, handles the application and Universitaly pre-enrolment, helps you file the regional DSU 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 Security Studies?
A recognised Indian bachelor's, such as a BA in Political Science, History, Economics or Sociology, can meet the rule if it has 60 credits in at least two of the listed areas and an average equivalent to at least 24 out of 30. You also need English at B2 and basic knowledge of a second foreign language, such as French or German. The steps are the online application, the merit ranking, place confirmation 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 Security Studies are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: online application, merit ranking, place confirmation 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 Security Studies are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: online application, merit ranking, place confirmation and Universitaly pre-enrolment. Read our guides for Dubai, Riyadh and Doha.
I studied or live in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. What is the route?
The academic rules for International Security Studies are the same whatever your nationality, and your degree is assessed like any other foreign qualification. Non-EU applicants who live abroad follow the same route: online application, merit ranking, place confirmation and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa from the Italian mission for where they live. Read our guides for students in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
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