Name of programme                               THE INTERDISCIPLINARY MASTER’S IN EAST EUROPEAN RESEARCH AND STUDIES (MIREES)

Qualification awarded                             Master of Political Science, Joint degree

Field of study                                          Political Sciences and diplomacy

Study area                                              Social sciences

Length of the programme (years)           2 years (4 semesters)

Scope of programme (ECTS)                 120 ECTS

Language of instruction                           English 

Location                                                  Kaunas, Lithuania

Starting date                                           1st of September

Tuition fee for Non-EU students            TBC

Overview

MIREES is an innovative graduate programme, taught entirely in English, unique in Italy and Europe, devoted to students that have a BA background in Economics, Politics, International Relations, History, Agricultural or Cultural studies at large, and would now like to acquire a specialized, in-depth knowledge of the Post-socialist Countries in transition, the new EU member States after the Enlargements of 2004 and 2007, as well as the New East-European Neighbour Countries.

The programme provides a joint diploma of the University of Bologna, St. Petersburg State University, Vytautas Magnus University and Corvinus University of Budapest. MIREES combines an academic approach with professional training, forging potential insightful consultants, analysts, and managers as Area Experts for international agencies, public administrations, private and public companies, and NGOs, while also offering a solid basis for further academic studies at the PhD level.

The first year of studies is spent at the University of Bologna (Forlì campus), while in the second year a compulsory mobility of a minimum of 5 months takes place at partner universities: St. Petersburg State University (Russia, St. Petersburg), Vytautas Magnus University (Lithuania, Kaunas), Corvinus University (Hungary, Budapest), or at associated partner – Lublijana university (Slovenia).

Feedback of lecturers and students

“MIREES is unique joint Master degree study programme that focuses on Eastern, Central and Balkan Europe. Once arrived at the University of Bologna, it was greater than I even expected. My MIREES group consisted of 23 students (including me) from 12 different countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Great Britain, Italy, Macedonia, Netherlands, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine, and United States. Most probably the biggest advantage of studying MIREES programme was the high quality of the courses that were conducted by internationally recognized professors (prof. Stefano Bianchini, prof. Leonidas Donskis prof. Egidijus Aleksandravičius, prof. Stanislav Tkachenko, prof. David Raphael Solomons and others); the knowledge and experience gained not only from professors but also from group mates that came with different backgrounds and different countries; the mobility scheme of the programme. I spent my third semester at St. Petersburg State University. Part of the forth semester I spent in Rome, having an internship in Lithuanian embassy and at the same time visiting archives in Rome for my Master thesis. MIREES programme and 2 years of studying challenged me a lot and provided me with immense experience not only for my career path but also for my personality. After graduation in 2010 I came back to Lithuania straight to my first Alma Matter Vytautas Magnus University where I started to work in International Office”.
Žymantė Litvinienė, alumni from Lithuania

Competencies acquired

The programme is aiming at preparing professionals who are able to analyse, interpret, assess and manage problems concerning the international dimension particularly of political, economic and social phenomena in Eastern Europe. For this purpose, the program includes learning activities in economics, politological, historical, cultural studies, and languages of the region which are mutually integrated to provide an in-depth preparation on the operations of political, social and economic systems in the countries of Eastern Europe and their role in the international context. Master degree programme in Interdisciplinary research and studies on Eastern Europe combines different fields, expertises, methods and professional activities.

Career opportunities

MIREES combines an academic approach with professional training, forging potential insightful consultants, analysts, and managers as Area Experts for international agencies, public administrations, private and public companies, and NGOs, while also offering a solid basis for further academic studies at the PhD level.