The course syllabus presents an innovative structure, stimulating continuous learning, with highly-qualified teachers linked to the three universities that jointly offer the degree, the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, the Universitat de Barcelona and the Universitat Pompeu Fabra, as well as to other major international academic institutions.

The Master's in International Relations is offered in two different language options: the bilingual (Spanish-English) option, in which students follow approx. half the compulsory courses in each of the two languages, while they can choose from the whole range of electives in either in Spanish or English, and the English-only option, in which all the compulsory courses are taught in English, including the pathway core courses. In this language track, students can also choose elective courses in Spanish, if they wish. The electives are offered to a large extend in English, however some will only be available in Spanish. More detailed information about the courses can be found on the website.

The Master's syllabus is made up of a combination of core subjects and a wide range of electives that reflect the students' individual interests. Building on knowledge acquired in the first semester, in the second semester students will take a pathway specialty and, in this way, build their education according to their individual interests within the different International Relations themes.

For the academic year 2018-19, the choice of pathways in the Master's in International Relations is being revised and expanded. The five pathways of the second semester will be:

• Conflict, Threats and Violence in Global Politics
• Global Governance
• International Environmental Policy
• International Political Economy
• Mediterranean Area Studies

In addition, IBEI is introducing concentrations, suggested groups of four or five elective courses and a pathway course that combine to give a clear focus on one policy area or region. Students may choose how many of the electives to take, and may also choose freely from across all of the electives on offer. 

Conflict in Global Politics
Pathway:	Conflict, Threats and Violence in Global Politics
Semester 1 elective:	Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict
Semester 2 electives:	Peace Processes and Conflict Resolution War and Genocide Civil Wars Seguridad Internacional y Fuerzas Armadas Private Security in the International System International Relations in Humanitarian Action Failed states and the Agenda for Reconstruction International Security & Weapons of Mass Destruction

Governance and Diplomacy
Pathway:	Global Governance
Semester 1 elective:	Politics of International Sanctions The BRICS and the Global Power Shift Sistema Jurídico Internacional
Semester 2 electives:	Foreign Policy Analysis Política Exterior, Diplomacia y Globalización International Relations in Latin America International Relations in Asia International Relations in the Middle East Diplomacy

Environment and Sustainability
Pathway:	International Environmental Policy
Semester 1 elective:	Geopolitics of Energy                                                              Programme Evaluation in Development
Semester 2 electives:	Development, Environment & Natural Resources Natural Resources and Armed Conflicts

Global Political Economy
Pathway:	International Political Economy
Semester 1 elective:	Geopolitics of Energy European Union Political Processes
Semester 2 electives:	International Business and Economic Institutions Game Theory for International Relations Evaluation of Development Programmes: Experimental Methods Data Analysis for International Relations

The Politics of the MENA Region
Pathway:	Mediterranean Area Studies
Semester 1 electives:	Mediterranean & Arab World Studies Política Exterior Europea
Semester 2 electives:	EU and the Immediate Surroundings International Relations of the Middle East Immigration Integration Policies International Migrations European Security and Defence Policy

The Master's in International Relations programme includes three different types of courses and a final dissertation:

• Core courses: 24 ECTS (depending on studies previously carried out, it may be possible to replace a core course with an equivalent or greater number of elective course credits)
• Pathway core courses: 6 ECTS (subject to be chosen according to the pathway selected)
• Electives: 20 ECTS
• Final Dissertation: 10 ECTS

Throughout the year, IBEI offers both students and teaching staff a series of conferences and seminars carried out by high-profile international specialists as well as well-known professionals and politicians.