The new MA in International Relations at International Business School (IBS) Budapest offers an innovative, career-focused postgraduate education that combines advanced international relations knowledge with artificial intelligence, strategic intelligence, geopolitical risk analysis and international business strategy.

In an increasingly unpredictable world, geopolitical conflicts, economic competition, technological disruption and shifting global alliances affect not only governments and international organisations but also multinational businesses, financial institutions and global supply chains.

Today's organisations need professionals who can go beyond understanding international events: they must be able to analyse complex information, anticipate emerging risks and translate geopolitical developments into strategic recommendations.

The IBS programme prepares graduates to meet these challenges by combining advanced international relations, Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT), AI technologies, strategic foresight and geopolitical consulting.

International Relations for Tomorrow's Decision-Makers

Unlike traditional international relations master's degrees that primarily emphasise diplomacy, political theory and academic research, the IBS programme takes an analytical, technology-driven and business-oriented approach.

The four-semester, 120-credit programme combines advanced academic foundations with practical intelligence analysis, geopolitical risk assessment, international strategy and professional consulting skills.

Students develop their core expertise during the first two semesters, personalise their studies through regional specialisation and international mobility opportunities in the third semester, and complete their education with an applied consulting project and master's thesis.

Strategic Intelligence & Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT)

Learn how to collect, verify and analyse publicly available information to support foreign policy, security and international business decisions. The Foreign Policy Decision-Making & Strategic Intelligence module introduces structured analytical techniques, intelligence assessment and AI-supported OSINT research.

Artificial Intelligence for International Affairs

Discover how generative AI, large language models, AI agents and data analytics can support geopolitical research, intelligence gathering and strategic decision-making. The dedicated AI for International Affairs & Strategic Decision-Making module combines practical AI applications with critical thinking, source verification and responsible technology use.

Geopolitical Risk & Strategic Foresight

Develop expertise in identifying emerging geopolitical threats, assessing country and regional risks, building future scenarios and evaluating their consequences for governments and businesses. Students learn how strategic foresight and scenario planning can support decisions in uncertain international environments.

International Business & Geoeconomic Strategy

Explore how international politics influences global business, trade, investment, supply chains and economic security. Through modules such as International Political Economy & Geoeconomics and Global Business, Supply Chains & Economic Security, students learn to connect geopolitical developments with corporate strategy and commercial decision-making.

Regional Expertise & Specialisation

Develop specialised knowledge of key geopolitical regions, including China and the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East, the United States, Russia and Eurasia. A dedicated third-semester specialisation and mobility window enables students to shape their academic pathway through regional and thematic electives.

Applied Geopolitical Consulting & Executive Communication

Turn analytical knowledge into professional recommendations. The final-semester Global Strategy Consulting Labintegrates OSINT, AI, data analysis and scenario planning into applied strategic projects. Students also develop negotiation, cross-cultural leadership and executive briefing skills.

* The launch of the programme requires a minimum of 15 students. In the case of specialisations, a minimum of 15 students per campus is required. IBS reserves the right not to launch a programme or specialisation if the minimum number is not reached, in such cases, students will be invited to choose from the remaining specialisations.

** i.e.: TOEFL 79, Duolingo 120, Medium of Instruction certificate etc. Please find further details here.

Note:
Students are required to have a personal laptop for their studies, as this is essential for completing assignments, conducting research, and accessing digital learning materials. We recommend a laptop with at least an Intel Core i3 or equivalent processor, 4–8 GB of RAM, and a minimum of 40 GB of free storage. The operating system should be Microsoft Windows 10, macOS, or Linux. A webcam and microphone are also necessary, along with a stable internet connection of at least 5 Mbit/sec.

Intelligence meets technology: Combine traditional international relations expertise with modern OSINT, AI applications and data-driven analytical methods.

Strong corporate relevance: Learn how geopolitical developments affect business strategy, international markets, investment decisions and organisational resilience.

Practical strategic capabilities: Develop professional skills in intelligence assessment, scenario development, geopolitical forecasting, crisis management and strategic consulting.

International perspective and flexibility: Explore global regions and specialised topics through electives and international mobility opportunities, subject to academic approval.

Career-focused learning: Apply your expertise through a 10-credit Global Strategy Consulting Lab, professional negotiation exercises and an independent master's thesis.

Graduates can pursue career opportunities in international organisations, consulting, business and the public sector, including:

• Geopolitical and Country Risk Analyst
• Strategic Intelligence and OSINT Analyst
• International Business and Geopolitical Risk Consultant
• Corporate Strategy and Economic Security Specialist
• Foreign Policy and International Affairs Analyst
• Political Risk and Strategic Foresight Specialist
• International Organisations and Government Affairs Professional
• Global Strategy and Crisis Management Consultant

The programme is ideal for ambitious graduates interested in international politics, global business, diplomacy, security, emerging technologies and strategic analysis.

It is particularly relevant for students seeking careers at the intersection of geopolitics, intelligence, technology and business, as well as professionals who want to strengthen their analytical, leadership and strategic decision-making capabilities.

Whether students aspire to work in international consulting, multinational corporations, governmental institutions, intelligence-related research or international organisations, IBS provides the advanced knowledge and applied analytical skills to help them pursue these ambitions.

Tuition fees and the application deadline can be found at the following link.