This two-year Master of Arts in Strategy and International Security examines the growing importance of strategic thinking and security policy in the 21st century. The programme takes a broad view of contemporary national and international security challenges, helping students develop a deeper understanding of current global dynamics and the strategic questions that will shape the coming decades.
Courses place special emphasis on international law and the evolving international system, while also addressing emerging security risks and the interaction between diplomacy and military strategy. Teaching is delivered by University of Bonn faculty alongside experienced practitioners, combining academic theory with practical perspectives on policy and strategy.
Graduates are prepared for careers in international organisations, diplomatic services, national security institutions, non-governmental organisations, and multinational companies. The programme is well suited to students with an interest in political science, international relations, security studies, or related fields who want a programme taught in English and based in Bonn, Germany.
Key facts and application information
The programme combines four compulsory core modules that build a solid foundation in strategy and security studies. These cover diplomacy and strategic thinking, as well as the geoeconomic and technological dimensions of security. Alongside substantive subjects, you receive targeted methodological training so you can analyse and respond to both current and emerging security challenges using qualitative and quantitative tools.
Elective modules let you specialise in contemporary research areas. Options deepen expertise in topics such as German foreign policy, European regulation of network industries, international law, and global power shifts. The curriculum takes a broad view of security, incorporating environmental, food and health security. Many electives are taught jointly with other departments, and selected partner modules — for example on terrorism research — can be taken at partner institutions in Herzliya (Israel) or Potsdam (Germany).
The programme is practice-oriented: a compulsory three-month internship with regional or national partners gives hands-on experience in applied settings. The degree concludes with a master’s thesis that allows you to conduct independent research on a security-related topic. Overall learning outcomes include the ability to critically assess strategic and security problems, apply methodological approaches to policy-relevant questions, conduct specialised research, and translate analysis into practical recommendations.
Key modules and requirements
This master’s program requires a completed Bachelor of Arts (or an equivalent undergraduate degree) in political science from Germany or another country. Applicants must also demonstrate prior coursework in international relations — at least 12 ECTS (or an equivalent amount of relevant study). Admission is governed by a local Numerus Clausus (NC), meaning places are allocated primarily by academic grade; the last reported NC was 1.4, so selection can be highly competitive.
Minimum academic thresholds differ depending on what documentation you submit: a final degree grade or only a Transcript of Records. Note that German grades are typically expressed on a scale where lower numbers indicate better performance (e.g., 1.0 is excellent).
If your grades are near the previous NC, ensure your transcripts and grading conversions are clear and complete, since ranking is grade-based.
Winter Semester (International)
15 July 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
15 July 2026
Graduates are prepared for careers in international organisations, diplomatic services, national security institutions and intelligence bodies, non-governmental organisations, and private-sector firms with global or security-related interests. The programme’s mix of theory, method training, and a mandatory internship equips students to work in policy analysis, strategic planning, risk assessment, research roles, and advisory positions.
The combination of English-medium instruction, practitioner-led teaching and international partner modules also makes alumni competitive for positions in multinational companies and transnational institutions where cross-border security expertise and policy-relevant research skills are valued.
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