BIRD is a graduate program whose substantial contents – International Relations – and language of study – English – reinforce each other, thanks to teaching and evaluation methods aligned with Anglo-American standards: home readings, class discussions, research papers.
During the first Master year, students acquire basic knowledge in IR theory and history, in international security and international political economy. They spend their second year abroad, at one of BIRD's four partner universities - Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey (MIIS), California; National Taiwan University (NTU), Taipei; Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya (IDC), Tel Aviv; Libera Università Internazionale degli Studi Sociali (LUISS), Roma - before writing a Master thesis and undertaking an internship.
BIRD students form a small, dynamic group of some 20 highly motivated young people from Bordeaux, France and beyond, rigorously selected on the basis of their undergraduate level, fluency in English, IR knowledge and career project.
The aim of BIRD is to provide them with a diploma permitting them to successfully apply on the worldwide market of International Relations specialists – experts, consultants, and scholars. This objective is made possible thanks to the specialisation they choose to acquire during the 2nd year in Conflict and Security Studies, Environmental Studies, Development Studies, Chinese Studies, European Studies, notably.
This information is for guidance purposes.
BIRD is open to approximately twenty students who have completed a 3-year higher education degree/or with 180 ECTS credits. Recruitment into the program is highly selective: academic records, career plan, motivational interview in English with the head of the Master's program; written tests in English for candidates from institutions other than Sciences Po Bordeaux. Being fluent in English and having a basic knowledge of IR is essential to be able to apply with a reasonable chance of success.
Sciences Po Bordeaux Diploma : First year
Find out more about the requirements for admission to fourth year
The majority of BIRDs become experts and consultants International Organizations (Governmental and Non-Governmental), Think Tanks, Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense, Multinational Firms.
A small minority opts for a second Master program or a PhD at English Speaking Universities (Canada, US, UK, Netherlands, Scandinavian countries).
Email : d.battistella @ sciencespobordeaux.fr
Email : k.caron @ sciencespobordeaux.fr
Type of education
Access to ENT
