Issued pursuant to Decision No. 1485/QD-XHNV dated March 19, 2026, of the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities
PART I: GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE TRAINING PROGRAM
1. Some information about the training program
- Name of the training specialization:
+ Vietnamese name: International Relations
+ English name: International Relations
ButName of the training program:
+ Vietnamese name: International Studies
+ English name: International Studies
- Training program code: 8310601
- Language of instruction:Vietnamese
- Standard training duration:2 years
- Name of the degree awarded after graduation:
+ Vietnamese name:Master's degree in International Studies
+ English name:The Degree of Master in International Studies
2. Objectives of the training program:
2.1 General Objectives
The Master's program in International Studies, specializing in International Relations, is research-oriented and aims to provide students with a comprehensive interdisciplinary knowledge base in social and behavioral sciences, and to update them on theories and research methods in international relations. This enhances their research capabilities, critical thinking, innovation, and ability to analyze and solve foreign policy problems in the context of digital transformation and deep international integration. Graduates will be able to apply their interdisciplinary and specialized knowledge in research, teaching, and advisory work on international issues, and will also have the capacity to pursue doctoral studies and lifelong learning.
2.2 Specific Objectives
- Specific Objective 1 (O1): The Master's program in International Studies, specializing in International Relations, supplements and perfects students' interdisciplinary foundational knowledge in social and behavioral sciences; systematizes in depth and breadth international relations theories, fundamental issues and trends in international relations, foreign policy issues, and Vietnam's foreign relations; provides interpretive guidance on analytical frameworks for international and foreign affairs issues and their application in researching practical issues; and offers interpretations of global and regional issues, world development trends, and foreign policy options.
- Specific Objective 2 (O2): The Master's program in International Studies, specializing in International Relations, aims to comprehensively develop professional skills combined with soft skills through guided practical research on international and foreign affairs issues; organizing group research activities and presentations, and discussions on international and foreign affairs issues through various approaches.
- Specific Objective 3 (O3): The Master's program in International Studies, specializing in International Relations, aims to enhance the autonomy and responsibility of students through organizing independent research activities on topics related to theoretical and practical issues in international relations, applying them to foreign affairs work at the central and local levels; encouraging students to express their views and engage in debates; and guiding students on regulations and requirements for adherence to professional ethics and research ethics.
3. Admission Information
3.1. Admission method:Admission is based on the regulations of Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU-Hanoi).
3.2. Eligibility Criteria
3.2.1. Educational requirements
Applicants must possess a university degree (or equivalent qualification or higher) in a relevant field with a GPA of "good" or higher, or have published scientific papers related to the field of application. If applicants require supplementary education, this must be completed before applying.
University degrees awarded by foreign educational institutions must undergo the degree recognition procedure in accordance with the current regulations of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
3.2.2. Foreign language proficiency requirements
Possess foreign language proficiency (in one of the following languages: English, Russian, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Thai) meeting the requirements of the training program at level 3 or higher according to the 6-level Foreign Language Proficiency Framework for Vietnam. Foreign language proficiency can be demonstrated by one of the following diplomas or certificates:
a) A university degree or higher in a foreign language; or a university degree or higher where the program is primarily conducted in a foreign language;
b) A university degree or higher awarded by Vietnam National University, Hanoi, within the last two years, where the program's output meets the requirements of level 3 or higher according to the 6-level Foreign Language Proficiency Framework for Vietnam;
c) A foreign language certificate equivalent to level 3 or higher according to the 6-level Foreign Language Proficiency Framework for Vietnam; or equivalent, valid for 2 years from the date of the foreign language exam to the date of registration for the master's program, issued by institutions accepted by the Ministry of Education and Training and Vietnam National University, Hanoi. The head of the training unit or the Rector of the University of Foreign Languages shall assess and be responsible for the authenticity of foreign language certificates issued by foreign organizations before recognizing their equivalence.
Applicants who are foreign citizens must have a Vietnamese language proficiency level of 4 or higher according to the Vietnamese Language Proficiency Framework for Foreigners, or have graduated from a university (or equivalent qualification or higher) where the training program was taught in Vietnamese; and meet the requirements for a second foreign language as stipulated by the training program (if any).
3.2.3. Other requirements
- A clean personal record, not currently serving a sentence or higher in any legal penalty, and not currently serving a criminal sentence, as confirmed by the human resources department of the workplace or the local government where the individual resides.
- I am healthy enough to study.
- Meet other conditions (if any) as required by VNU, for each admission year.
- Commitment to fulfilling financial obligations during the training process as stipulated by the training institution.
3.3. List of suitable industries
- This field is in the same group as International Studies;
- The field of study is defined in the training program standards issued by the Ministry of Education and Training;
- For cases where there are no established training program standards for the corresponding field or group of disciplines, the specialized unit must have a scientific and practical basis, determined by the Scientific and Training Council of the specialized unit and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, to identify the discipline with the closest professional foundation to the training program and determine the corresponding supplementary courses (if needed); report to VNU before enrollment and be responsible for this professional evaluation.
3.4. Projected enrollment size
- According to the quota allocated annually by Vietnam National University, Hanoi (expected to be 40 students/year)
- The detailed admission plan is implemented according to the Admission Regulations, the annual postgraduate admission guidelines of VNU, and the admission scheme of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities approved by VNU (if any).
PART II: LEARNING OUTCOMES OF THE TRAINING PROGRAM
1. Knowledge Output Standards
- PLO 01:To be able to apply the meaning and value of basic research approaches, theories, and methods in the social sciences and humanities.
- PLO 02:Analyze theoretical and practical issues in the field of international relations and foreign affairs based on knowledge of philosophical worldview and methodology.
- PLO 03:Comparing theoretical perspectives and basic and advanced research methods in the study of foreign affairs and international relations.
- PLO 04:Assessing major issues and trends in the field of foreign affairs and international relations.
2. Skill Output Standards
- PLO 05:Develop organizational and management skills for conducting independent research to meet new requirements.
- PLO 06:Selecting advanced technologies to support the scientific resolution and presentation of theoretical and practical issues in the field of foreign affairs and international relations.
- PLO 07:Combining research techniques including data analysis, synthesis, and evaluation to arrive at scientifically-based conclusions.
- PLO 08:Combines knowledge transmission skills (presentations, written presentations), communication skills, problem identification and solving skills, and teamwork skills.
- PLO 09:Possessing a foreign language proficiency equivalent to level 4 of the 6-level Foreign Language Proficiency Framework for Vietnam (B2 CEFR) is essential for applying this knowledge in researching specialized documents, writing scientific reports, and presenting and discussing specialized issues.
3. Output standards regarding autonomy and responsibility.
- PLO 10:To provide assessments, recommendations, and improvements to professional activities in the field of foreign affairs and international relations.
- PLO 11:Adapt, self-direct, and guide others in conducting research on issues in the field of foreign affairs and international relations.
- PLO 12:Develop expert discussions aimed at reaching expert conclusions in the field of foreign affairs and international relations.
- PLO 13:Develop a sense of self-study to improve theoretical understanding and problem-solving skills.
- PLO 14:Awareness of ensuring academic integrity.
4. Job positions that students can take on after graduation.
- Conducting research and teaching on international issues at educational institutions and research institutes.
- Research and analyze international issues and events at domestic and foreign press and media agencies, as well as consulting firms related to foreign affairs and international relations.
- Working at diplomatic agencies at the central and local levels, international cooperation departments of ministries, branches, organizations, and security and defense agencies.
- Working in foreign affairs at foreign representative offices, international organizations, domestic and foreign non-governmental organizations, joint ventures, and private enterprises.
5. Opportunities for further learning and professional development after graduation.
After graduation, a Master's degree in International Studies, specializing in International Relations, allows graduates to pursue a PhD in International Studies, specializing in International Relations, Political Science, or another field related to international relations.
PART III: TRAINING PROGRAM CONTENT
No. | Course code | Course module (written in Vietnamese and English) | Number of credits | Number of study hours | Code number course prerequisite | ||
| Theory(1) | Practice(2) | Self-study(3) | |||||
I | General knowledge block | 9 |
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1 | PHI5002 | Philosophy Philosophy | 4 | 40 | 40 | 120 | |
2 | Foreign language B2(Choose one of the following foreign languages): | 5 |
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ENG5001 | English B2 (Postgraduate level) English B2 | 5 | 75 | 0 | 175 | ||
RUS5001 | Russian B2 (Postgraduate) Russian B2 | 5 | 75 | 0 | 175 | ||
CHI5001 | Chinese B2 (Postgraduate) Chinese B2 | 5 | 75 | 0 | 175 | ||
FRE5001 | French B2 (Postgraduate) French B2 | 5 | 75 | 0 | 175 | ||
WES5001 | German B2 (Postgraduate) Germany B2 | 5 | 75 | 0 | 175 | ||
OLC5001 | Japanese B2 (Postgraduate) Japanese B2 | 5 | 75 | 0 | 175 | ||
| KOR5001 | Korean B2 (Postgraduate) Korean B2 | 5 | 75 | 0 | 175 | |
THA5001 | Thai language B2 (Postgraduate) Thailand B2 | 5 | 75 | 0 | 175 | ||
II | Foundation and specialized knowledge blocks | 30 |
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II.1 | Required courses | 18 |
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3 | ITS6001 | International Relations Theory International relations theories | 3 | 40 | 10 | 100 | |
4 | ITS6120 | Advanced International Relations Research Methods Advanced Methods of International Relations | 3 | 40 | 10 | 100 | |
5 | ITS6009 | International relations after the Cold War International relations after the Cold War | 3 | 40 | 10 | 100 | |
6 | ITS6110 | Vietnam's foreign relations during the Doi Moi (Renovation) period. Vietnam's international relations since New Year | 3 | 40 | 10 | 100 | |
7 | ITS6011 | Security and conflict in international relations Security and conflict in international relations | 3 | 40 | 10 | 100 | |
8 | ITS6106 | International economic relations after the Cold War International economic relations after the Cold War | 3 | 40 | 10 | 100 | |
II.2 | Elective courses | 12/30 |
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9 | ITS6102 | Comparative Political Science Democratic Politics | 3 | 40 | 10 | 100 | |
10 | ITS6104 | The international system through the ages. International systems through historical periods | 3 | 40 | 10 | 100 | |
11 | ITS6107 | International Law: Post-Cold War Issues International Law: The issues after the Cold War | 3 | 40 | 10 | 100 | |
12 | ITS6108 | Culture in international relations Culture in international relations | 3 | 40 | 10 | 100 | |
13 | ITS6026 | Geopolitics Geopolitics | 3 | 40 | 10 | 100 | |
14 | ITS6028 | China's foreign policy since 1978 China's Foreign Policy since 1978 | 3 | 40 | 10 | 100 | |
15 | ITS6027 | US foreign policy since 2009 America's Foreign Policy since 2009 | 3 | 40 | 10 | 100 | |
16 | ITS6119 | International Political EconomyPolitical Economy | 3 | 40 | 10 | 100 | |
17 | ITS6121 | International relations in Southeast Asia after the Cold War International Relations in Southeast Asia after the Cold War | 3 | 40 | 10 | 100 | |
18 | Academic Foreign Languages Academic Foreign Language | 3/6 |
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ENG6001 | Academic English Academic English | 3 | 40 | 10 | 100 | ||
CHI6001 | Academic Chinese Academic Christmas | 3 | 40 | 10 | 100 | ||
III | scientific research | 27 |
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III.1 | Research topic | 12 |
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19 | SSH6003 | Research approaches and methods in the social sciences and humanities. Approaches and Research Methods in Social Sciences and Humanities | 3 | 20 | 10 | 120 | |
20 | SSH6004 | Schools of thought in the social sciences and humanities Schools of Thought in Social Sciences and Humanities | 3 | 36 | 0 | 114 | |
21 | ITS6029 | International event analysis International event analysis | 3 | 20 | 10 | 120 | |
22 | ITS6025 | International cooperation and integration International Cooperation and international integration | 3 | 20 | 10 | 120 | |
III.2 | Thesis | 15 |
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23 | ITS7202 | Master's thesis Master's Thesis | 15 | 0 | 0 | 750 | |
Total | 66 | ||||||
Note:One credit is equivalent to 50 hours of student-standard learning, including time spent observing lectures, guided learning, self-study, research, experiences, and participating in tests and assessments; for classroom teaching activities, one credit requires a minimum of 15 hours of lectures or 30 hours of practical work, experiments, and discussions, with one classroom hour counted as 50 minutes.
(1): Theory
(2): Practice, Experiment, Discussion
(3): Internship, Research, Self-study with assessment
Author:Department of Training and Student Affairs
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