Frequently Asked Questions
LogisticsDoes the Graduate Institute offer any on-campus housing?The Graduate Institute cannot provide participants with accommodation. However, we can advise you on particular residences and hotels according to your wishes and budget. Do not hesitate to contact our office for help.
I am a non-Swiss resident, can I apply?Yes, the Graduate Institute welcomes all nationalities in its Programmes.
I do not speak French, is it a problem?Classes are taught in English, and there are plenty of English-speaking activities and services in Geneva. However, Geneva can also become the place for you to discover the French language or improve your knowledge in it!
Can I bring my laptop?Yes. There is wireless network access for laptops in most parts of the Graduate Institute. Full details of the services provided by the IT Department of the Graduate Institute will be provided to participants upon arrival. Please do not forget to bring a power adapter from your country to be able to plug in your laptop.
Do I have to live in Geneva to attend INP?No, you don't. Since sessions are held on Fridays and Saturdays twice a month over a period of nine months, there is no need to permanently move to Geneva to attend the Programme.
I am currently unemployed, can I attend INP?Yes, you can. We take into consideration all motivated individuals with past working experience and a professional project related to international affairs.
Will I have time to manage my regular job responsibilities during INP?Yes, you will. INP is designed for working professionals. Aside from 4 days per month when you are expected to attend the sessions, participants will be encouraged to integrate their knowledge and skills with their professional responsibilities (observation of the working place, research for their final paper). Approximately 6 hours of self-study per week are foreseen during the programme. Participants must attend at least 80% of the total number of sessions in order to be awarded the diploma.
Can I participate through distance-learning courses?No, you can't. You need to attend courses in person.
ApplicationWhat do I need to support my application?The application process is quite simple. Fill in and submit the application form online, then send via email or post your motivation letter, current curriculum vitae, two professional letters of recommendation, and copies of your academic diplomas.
Do I need to provide with English Proficiency test results?Since the programme is taught in English, applicants are expected to be proficient in the use of this language. No certificate is required, but they must be able to follow the sessions and participate in them, and be able to write short assignments during the year, as well as their final paper.
Do I need to include a letter of reference with my application?Yes, you need to include two letters of reference from academic or professional referees.
Are there prerequisites for the courses?In general there are no prerequisites. Participants are only expected to have a good command of English and to hold a Bachelor or a Master degree.
When do I have to apply?You can start applying from 1 January each year. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until 1 June.
How is my application assessed?Once your application form is received online, an email will be sent to you confirming receipt of your application form and reminding you to send to us the remaining pieces that complete your application file. Once the file is complete, it will then be assessed by our academic committee within 4 weeks, unless we contact you for further information. Once you are accepted as a participant, you will receive a letter of admission along with a tuition fees invoice.
Tuition feesDoes the Graduate Institute offer any financial aid for INP participants?Unfortunately the Programme is not able to provide any financial assistance to candidates. However, we can send a letter of recommendation directly to your sponsors and/or scholarship committee upon request.
Can my employer cover part - or all - of my tuition fees?Yes. We strongly encourage candidates to enquire with their Human Resources Department whether executive education can be sponsored. We would be pleased to send reference letters in support of your fundraising.
When do I pay the tuition fees?A confirmation deposit of CHF 4'400.- is due upon receipt of your formal admission letter and invoice. The total tuition fees are due before March of the following year. Can I pay by bank transfer?Once accepted on the Programme, you will receive an invoice with a reference number. Payments may be made online through our online electronic system or by bank transfer to: UBS SA, Rue du Rhône 8, 1204 Geneva, Switzerland. IBAN: CH080024024048494300D Please note payments can only be received in Swiss Francs.
Will I get a refund if I withdraw from the Programme?If you withdraw
Please note that if you decide to quit the Programme after its official start, no refunds of the sums paid up to that date are possible.
How do I withdraw from the Programme?You should immediately inform the Programme Director of your withdrawal by email. It is important that you do so as soon as possible so that we can attribute your seat to another candidate.
ProgrammeIs INP a full-time Master programme?No, it isn't. INP uses an executive format. Our participants meet 4 days a month for intensive courses and seminars. INP is designed for professionals and does not lead to a doctoral programme.
Is INP comparable to an MBA ?Although INP is dedicated to enhancing professional leadership and qualifications, it is not an MBA. Topics included in INP are focused on understanding global issues and analytical thinking rather than business.
I have 15 years of professional experience, is INP still for me?Yes, it is. INP aims to help you analyse current global issues and develop or enhance your negotiation skills. The programme seeks to improve your qualifications, in order to help you face current professional challenges. Moreover, an asset of the programme is that it brings together participants of all ages and backgrounds, who share their experiences in both the public and private sectors.
Can I attend only parts of the Programme?No, you cannot choose to attend separate modules. You need to attend at least 80% of the full nine-month curriculum in order to succeed and be awarded the Executive Master in International Negotiation and Policy-Making.
What will my timetable look like?Classes will take place on Fridays and Saturdays twice a month from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm.
Will I have full access to the library and IT facilities?All INP participants are encouraged to make full use of the facilities of the Graduate Institute. They will be given access to the collections of our library once they register. They will also be given a personal IT account, which provides them with internet access in the Graduate Institute's computer rooms and wireless network access for laptop computers in the classrooms.
What is an Executive Master degree ?An Executive Master is a part-time and degree-granting programme designed for professionals which aims to combine sharp theoretical knowledge with practice-oriented courses. It is an internationally-recognised "Diploma of Advanced Studies" but does not lead to a Ph.D. programme. It is equivalent to 30 ECTS (European standard credit system). It is oriented towards enhancing participants' careers and skills in their working environment.
Do I need to take examinations during the Programme?Yes, you do. Each of the three modules of the programme is assessed individually, and participants must also hand in a final paper at the end of the programme.
When will examinations take place?Examinations will take place at the end of each of the three modules (December, March, May). They are an in-class exam, a take-home essay question, and an assessment of your skills in negotiation simulations, respectively.
When will the final paper be due?Our faculty will help you define your topic and prepare your research paper from the beginning of your programme. The 8'000/10'000-word paper will be due at the latest on 1 July.
Do I get a diploma at the end of the Programme?Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded an Executive Master in International Negotiation and Policy-Making by the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies. The diploma will specify the modules you successfully attended. The Executive Master in International Negotiation and Policy-Making is worth 30 European credits (ECTS), it is equivalent to a "Diploma of Advanced Studies" in the Swiss system.
I am a current graduate student, can I attend INP ?Graduate Institute students with a strong interest in international affairs and some significant work experience can apply to the programme. Is there any dress code for the Programme?Dress code at the Graduate Institute is usually informal.
How much reading will I be expected to do before the course? During the course?Each weekend of sessions of the Programme is accompanied by a syllabus indicating the topics covered, discussion questions, learning outcomes, as well as required readings. Required readings will be approximately 100 pages (50 pages per day of sessions), and will be tailored to closely fit the needs of the course. Supplementary readings might be provided as well, for participants who wish to learn more about the topic. All reading requirements will be posted in electronic form on the password-protected section of the INP website. Participants thus should expect an approximate weekly workload of 6 hours of self-study in addition to the taught courses.
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