Master of Advanced Studies in International Security (MAS) 2025-2026

Apply now for the UNIGE-GCSP MAS in International Security Oct 2025-May 2026 

The 20th Master of Advanced Studies provides you not only with space for academic reflection and knowledge, but the skills and networks that can readily be turned into action once back in national and international structures.  

You will benefit from the exceptional academic resources of the University of Geneva’s Global Studies Institute (GSI) and the internationally recognised executive education expertise of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP).  

This intensive 8-month full-time MAS will engage you through academic workshops, classroom analysis, peer to peer networking, and individual skills enhancement. 

High-level multi-stakeholder experts; diverse global mid-career participants; bridging theory and practice; breadth of topics analysed in the course.

Learning objectives

This course offers you a unique opportunity to: 

• Build your knowledge on international peace and security issues from across national, regional and global contexts.
• Enhance your ability to critically analyse the evolution of security issues, interlinkages and assess the effectiveness of current policy responses.
• Strengthen your leadership skill-set within a multi-cultural and cross-sectoral environment, integrating into a wide community of experts and policymakers in international security.

Modules

• Module 1: The Evolving Dimensions of Security Policy

Provides an introduction to the current international system from a historical, conceptual & leadership perspective.

• Module 2: 21st Century Security Challenges

Focuses on the evolving role of traditional and emerging international security leaders, in addition to conflict management and transnational security challenges.

• Module 3: A World of Regions?

Allows you to explore security challenges and actors in multiple regions including sub-Saharan Africa; the Middle East and North Africa; Latin America; the Euro-Atlantic area as well as developments in the Asia-Pacific.

• Module 4:  Issues and Concepts in International Security

Provides a series of conceptual lectures to complement and reinforce, through a theoretical approach, the more policy-orientated approach of the first three modules.

• Module 5: Research Paper

Allows you to develop your research and analytical capacity through a 10’000-12’000 word thesis, supported by a series of small group, facilitated seminars.

International security practitioners who wish to enhance their professional capabilities and academic qualifications to advance in their career in government, IO's, and all agencies (private/public/civil society) engaged in peace and security related policy-making.

Participants who complete this full-time programme successfully will be awarded a Master of Advanced Studies in International Security (60 ECTS credits) by the Global Studies Institute, University of Geneva in partnership with the Geneva Centre for Security Policy. 
The GCSP & UNIGE reserve the right to modify the programme dates, location and fee at any time.