Based on a rigorous selection process, applications to our study programmes are processed once a year. Applications must reach us no later than 15 January 2010 for the following autumn semester; the academic year will commence in mid-September.
The admissions process for Master and PhD programmes beginning in September 2011 will be open from October 2010 to 15 January 2011.
Please note that the online application forms will only be available during that period.
Language requirements
The Institute is a bilingual English-French institution; students are therefore required to demonstrate their knowledge of these languages by including the relevant certificates with their application forms.
English
- Level required: candidates are required to demonstrate excellent command of the language, both written and spoken, attested by a language certificate: see details.
- Candidates of English mother-tongue and those who have completed secondary or post-secondary education in English, attested by a diploma, are exempt from this requirement.
French
- Level required: a passive knowledge of French can be acquired during the first study semester; knowledge of French will be tested at the start of the second semester (February or March).
- Candidates of French mother-tongue, candidates who have completed secondary or post-secondary education in French, attested by a diploma, or candidates who have obtained a French diploma equivalent to a DALF B2 are exempt from this requirement.
- Request for a waiver: candidates with no prior knowledge of French may request a waiver [pdf]. Upon successful acceptance to the Institute they will be required to attend an intensive French course during the 3 weeks preceding the start of the autumn semester and for the duration of the first semester; upon completion of the course they will be required to pass a language test.
Academic Requirements
Masters: hold a Bachelor’s degree (minimum 180 ECTS credits) or an equivalent qualification in a discipline relevant to the chosen programme:
- Master in International Affairs (MIA): Bachelor’s degree in law, economics, history or political science – or a related discipline, or a multidisciplinary Bachelor’s degree in international relations. Holders of a Bachelor’s degree in another discipline and with a sound academic record are also eligible to apply.
- Master in Development Studies (MDEV): Bachelor’s degree in anthropology, sociology, law, economics, history, political science, geography – or a related discipline, or an interdisciplinary Bachelor’s degree in development studies or international relations.
- Master in International Studies (MIS): Bachelor’s degree in law, economics, history or political science – or a related discipline, or a multidisciplinary Bachelor’s degree in international relations. Applicants to the MIS in International Economics must have passed a GRE.
PhD: hold a graduate qualification (Master), or an equivalent qualification, in a discipline relevant to the chosen programme.
- PhD in Development Studies (DODEV):Diploma of Advanced Studies (DEA) or Master’s degree in development studies or in a related discipline + have completed, to the extent possible, a DEA- or Master’s-level research dissertation (please include a copy with your application).
- PhD in International Studies: Diploma of Advanced Studies (DEA) or a Master’s degree in one of the following disciplines: law, economics, history or political science, or in a related discipline + have completed, to the extent possible, a DEA- or MIS-level research dissertation (please include a copy with your application). Applicants to the DOIS in International Economics must have passed a GRE.
Important Dates
- Deadline for submission of applications: 15 January 2010
Deadline for submission of grant applications: 15 January 2010
Confirmation of admission and grant allocation: mid-March 2010
Deadline for payment of pre-registration fee (which secures registration): 15 April 2010
Deadline for registration at Geneva University.
Deadline for submission of outstanding documents in the event of provisional admission: end June 2010
Start of autumn semester 2010-2011: 20 September 2010
Start of spring semester 2011: 21 February 2011
Academic calendar
* Confirmation of admission and grant allocation are communicated in writing to applicants. The decision is final and is not open to negotiation.
