The programme prepares students for doctoral studies, research activities, and public or private careers dealing with different aspects in the field of international relations and political science that require strong analytical and critical skills. It equips students with the analytical tools and a substantive background required to work actively with research in a wide range of areas. It comprises core courses providing a firm grounding in the discipline and electives that allow students to specialize.
The programme is made up of a standard sequence of core courses and electives. Teaching takes place in small classes, where students are encouraged to foster a sense of inquiry, critique and argument. Students have extensive access to political science faculty, both regular professors in the department and visiting professors. This, as well as the analytical strengths of the curriculum, the proximity to various international governmental and nongovernmental organisations in Geneva, and the broad geographical and cultural range of students in the programme, make for a firm grounding in the field.