MIA - Master's degree programme for flexible generalists

The MIA emphasizes multi- and interdisciplinary courses that put equal weight on topics in business administration, economics, law, and political sciences and make use of innovative teaching formats. Specifically, the curriculum is structured along three pillars – thematic, methodological and professional - for an optimal balance between fundamental knowledge, empirical applications, and a professional education.

In addition, students may pursue one of four clusters of specialization:

• Security and Conflict
• Democracy and Governance
• Business and Public Policy
• Sustainability and Development

The MIA teaches you the skills and knowledge needed to study complex real-world problems in an evidence-based and integrated manner. There is a large number of practice-oriented features such as seminars, tutorials, case-based teaching, and platforms of active participation such as seminars, workshops, colloquium, labs, and consultancy courses.
In addition, you may also earn so-called “Practice Credits” through internships in companies and public institutions that are credited to your degree.

The MIA prepares you for an attractive professional career. More than half of our graduates work in the private sector, e.g. banking and financial institutions, insurance companies, consultancies and other multinational corporations. On the public sector side, about 45% are employed by federal, state and local governments, development agencies, international organisations, the media, non-profit organisations as well as universities and research centres.

Through a number of highly attractive programmes, we cooperate with renowned schools of International Affairs:

• Sciences Po Paris
• The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy Boston
• Yonsei Graduate School of International Studies Seoul
• Universidad de los Andes Bogotá

A Double Degree programme gives you the possibility to acquire splendid international experience. As a Double Degree student you spend one year at the University of St.Gallen and a second year at one of our partner institutions. Upon completion of two academic years, you are awarded two Master’s degrees. Alternatively, MIA students may apply for the CEMS - a one-year Master’s degree course in International Management, which is a prestigious joint Degree Programme offered by the Community of European Management Schools. 

Besides from Double Degree programmes we feature exchange agreements with more than 200 partner universities across the world. In addition, there are exclusive exchange options for MIA students with renowned universities such as:

• Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Singapore
• SIPA, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
• School of International and Public Policy/Hitotsubashi University
• School of International Relations, St.Petersburg State University
• IE Madrid
• The Graduate Institute, Geneva

Further information on exchange opportunities can be found on the website of Student Mobility.

The International Affairs programmes of the University of St. Gallen belong to various associations that bring together leading business schools and programmes in International Affairs.

CEMS
The University of St.Gallen is a member of the Community of European Management Schools (CEMS), an association of leading European business schools and international companies that enables its students to obtain an additional degree in business administration.

APSIA
The MIA is a member of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA), a group of 37 internationally renowned institutions of higher learning in this field. Members of APSIA include the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, Georgetown University, The Fletcher School, SIPA at Columbia University, Sciences Po Paris or the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. APSIA promotes excellent graduate education worldwide by exchanging information and ideas among its members and the International Affairs community at large.