About the programme

The School of International Studies of the University of Trento, a beautiful alpine city in the north of Italy, is excited to join the consortium of universities offering the International Master in Security, Intelligence and Strategic Studies (IMSISS), offering students a new ‘track’ within the degree from 2020.

The International Master in Security, Intelligence and Strategic Studies (IMSISS) is a 24 month Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD) awarded by a consortium of European universities – University of Glasgow (UK); Dublin City University (Ireland); Charles University in Prague (Czech Republic) and from 2020, the University of Trento (Italy).

Students in this degree program examine both the causes of conflicts and a broad range of contemporary security challenges, such as terrorism, civil war and conflict, mass migration, energy supply security, cybersecurity, and new technologies and transnational and serious organized crime. Students will also explore the intelligence and strategic approaches used by governmental and non-governmental actors to combat these threats.

The degree adopts a unique approach to the study of security by combining theoretical, applied, and empirical knowledge and skillsets. Students will have the opportunity to meet with and work alongside a range of academics and researchers from international partner universities and think tanks from around the world, as well as practitioner experts from governmental and industry security and defense sectors.

Why Study IMSISS?

This Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree brings together European and international partners to provide an integrated study program engaging with theoretical, empirical and applied approaches to security, intelligence, and strategy. You will study in locations across Europe and will have the opportunity to apply for work-based learning placements with practitioner organizations.

International security presents complex, challenging realities for a wide range of actors – from nation-states and international organizations to multinational corporations. Globalization and increased interdependency have radically changed the way we understand security in relation to the state, society, the economy, and even the biosphere. There is a growing demand for greater attention and coordinated responses from the international community, including not only individual countries but also international organizations such as the European Union (EU), the African Union (AU), the United Nations (UN), and security alliances such as NATO.

To support these organizations there is a need for knowledgeable, well-informed experts with the skills not only to react to crises but to identify and anticipate the threats and challenges that create crises. These experts can and should come from civilian (for example academia, governmental, non-governmental, and private sectors) as well as military backgrounds. Bridging these ‘expert’ security communities and ensuring opportunities for dedicated training and shared knowledge, experiences, and best practice is the purpose of the IMSISS degree program.

Admission

Application deadlines
(check online for updates)

• 14 January, Scholarship Application
• 25 July, Self-funded international students
• 31 August, Self-funded UK/EU students

Requirements

• Qualification equivalent to a UK 2:1 honors degree in international relations, political science, or related social science disciplines;
• or an interdisciplinary degree that includes security/ terrorism/ intelligence as a significant component
• Primary degrees in other disciplines, including languages, computing science, and humanities are also very welcome, while candidates with practical/professional experience will be strongly considered
• English Language proficiency level
• A language other than Italian at B2 level for the UniTrento study track

How to apply

Please get in touch to receive instructions about the application process.