Master's degree course in Investigation, Crime and International Security – International Security, Geopolitics and Global Affairs Curriculum

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Class: LM-52 (Master's Degree in International Relations)
Academic year: 2026/2027
Duration: 2 years
Admission: free after verification of admission requirements
Modes: in-presence and live-streaming
 

 
Course Director: Ciro Sbailò, UNINT Full Professor
Office hours: Tuesday, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Student Representative:Francesca Contef.conte5@studenti.unint.eu
Tutoring:
Emma Cimmino

The Master's degree course in Investigation, Crime and International Security - International Security, Geopolitics and Global Affairs Curriculum (LM-52) has been designed in response to the professional opportunities arising from the challenges of a global context marked by profound shifts in political, strategic and economic balances, as well as by the emergence of new and complex threats to international security due to the intensification of regional conflicts, great-power competition, transnational terrorism, hybrid and cyber threats, as well as the impact of climate change and energy crises.

The Curriculum, delivered entirely in English, is designed to provide advanced and multidisciplinary training in the fields of international security, geopolitics, and global affairs, integrating the theoretical tools of political and strategic analysis with an in-depth study of the legal, economic, and institutional dimensions of security.
The training pathway aims to develop the ability to critically interpret and assess global phenomena, to understand power dynamics between states and non-state actors, and to analyse the main areas of international crisis and instability.

Particular attention is devoted to the study of security and defence policies, global governance and diplomacy systems, international and regional organisations, geopolitical analysis as well as strategies adopted by public and private actors for the prevention and management of conflicts and crises.

The training structure includes a wide range of laboratories and in-depth activities, such as the School of Political Sciences organised by the University.
In addition, students will acquire a solid language training thanks to the courses delivered in English and the compulsory study of a second language to be chosen among Arabic, Chinese, French, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian and German.

Given the characteristics of the Degree course, the lectures are delivered by academics and specialists from the world of defence, justice and security.

Thanks to UNINT's innovative teaching formula, students can attend both in-presence and live-stream lectures  through the UNINT Everywhere platform.

Access to the degree course is free, with a non-selective interview to verify the initial requirements. n consideration of the characteristics of the courses and the type of professional profile for which students are trained, the Course is aimed primarily at students who have obtained a Bachelor's degree in the fields of political science, languages, international relations and economics.

Professional profile and career opportunities

The Master's degree course in Investigation, Crime and International Security trains graduates with an international profile and strong analytical and operational skills in the fields of international security, geopolitics and global affairs.

Thanks to the skills acquired during their studies, at the end of the Course students will be able to:

  •  critically analyse geopolitical scenarios and major contexts of international crisis, assessing their political, strategic and economic implications;
  • understand and apply the main theoretical and methodological tools used in the analysis of international security and international relations;
  • interpret the functioning of international and regional organisations and the role of state and non-state actors in global governance processes;
  • evaluate security and defence policies adopted at national, European, and international levels, including those addressing emerging hybrid and cyber threats;
  • produce reports, analyses, and policy papers in English on issues related to security, geopolitics, and global affairs;
  • operate effectively in international and multicultural environments, using specialised communication appropriate to different professional contexts.

Career opportunities include both public and private sectors, at national and international level.
Specifically, graduates may work in international and supranational organisations, European institutions, public administrations, bodies and agencies engaged in intelligence, security, and international cooperation, as well as in research centres, think tanks, and institutes of strategic analysis.

Further professional opportunities are offered in the fields of strategic and geopolitical consulting, risk management for multinational companies, NGOs, and third-sector organisations, as well as in specialised journalism and international communication.

The Course also provides suitable preparation for admission to doctoral programmes and advanced post-graduate training pathways.

Accreditation and Membership

UNINT is a partner of leading international academic associations that promote the adoption of quality standards of excellence in educational and scientific activities.

Due to its recognised quality requirements in language training, the Department of International Humanities and Social Sciences is among the four Italian members of CIUTI (Conférence Internationale Permanente d'Instituts Universitaires de Traducteurs et Interprètes) and its Master's degree course in Interpreting and Translation (LM-94) is part of the EMT network (European Master's in Translation) promoted by the European Commission. Moreover, UNINT is a member of AACSB – Business Education Alliance and has started the accreditation procedure for its Degree courses in the area of economics and business.

As part of the activities related to quality assurance, since 2021 UNINT has been certified in accordance with the regulation UNI EN ISO 9001: 2015On February 8, 2021, the first certificate was issued, confirmed for 2022 and 2023. In 2024, the new certificate was obtained and on January 30, 2026, the certification was confirmed for the year 2026. UNI EN ISO 9001: 2015 for "Teaching, training, research and third mission activities", attesting to the correct definition and execution of the processes implemented within the University.

Courses

The Master's degree course in Investigation, Crime and International Security is structured in such a way as to provide solid knowledge of the following topics over the two years of study:

  • international security and strategic studies, with particular attention to armed conflicts and defence policies;
  • global and regional geopolitics, including the analysis of major crisis areas and international power balances;
  • international diplomatic relations and international politics, with reference to the dynamics between states and non-state actors;
  • public international law and international security law;
  • the functioning and role of the international and supranational organisations;
  • European Union security policies and international cooperation;
  • emerging threats to global security, including economic security, hybrid threats, terrorism and cybersecurity;
  • global governance and the management of international crisis;
  • strategic analysis methodologies and geopolitical risk assessment;
  • specialised communication and the production of analyses in English in international contexts.

Digital skills and laboratories

The training profile is further enriched by specialised laboratories – also delivered entirely in English – dedicated to:

  • geopolitical area analysis;
  • crisis communication;
  • Europlanning;
  • security management and intelligence;
  • metaverse and virtual reality applied to international security.

The laboratories offer a pratical and immersive approach, developing operational skills that are valuable in analytical units, crisis centres, and intelligence and security structures at both national and international levels.

Students have the opportunity to acquire additional credits through free participation in the School of Political Sciences organised by the University and in one of the following professional courses on programming and cybersecurity languages:

  • Introduction to programming with Python;
  • Ethical Hacking and Penetration Test 1 – Kali Linux and Hacking Tools;
  • Ethical Hacking and Penetration Test 2 – Python Programming for Hacking;
  • Cybersecurity Audit.

Find out more at the following link.

Language training and certifications

Graduates of the Degree course will develop solid skills related to intercultural communication, thanks to the possibility of choosing among nine languages ​​of study.

To find out the entry and exit levels of each language course in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ​​(CEFR), visit the following link.

The University Language Centre grants new students enrolled for the 2026/2027 academic year (Bachelor’s or Master's degree courses in any of the Degree courses offered by the University) the opportunity to take an international certification examination , at no additional cost, choosing from among the certifications offered through the University’s partnership agreements.

Curriculum

2026/2027 academic year

This page contains information about programmes for students who intend to start their academic career in autumn 2026. The information is up to date at the date of publication, although some changes may be necessary.

You can consult the complete teaching programmes for the last two academic semesters. Potential variations in the programmes are determined by the University's attention to the developments in the subjects studied and the dynamic needs of the labour market.

Find out more at the following link

ECTS

1st year

ECTS

The course delves into European security policies, addressing issues such as cooperation between member states, crisis management and international dynamics, training students to understand the context of contemporary European security.

10

Group A: The course delves into knowledge of morphosyntactic structures of the English language, focusing on the specific contexts of social sciences. Furthermore, it expands the understanding of the sociocultural aspects of English-speaking societies.

Group B: The course aims to enhance English language skills in the geopolitical and intelligence fields with a focus on oral and written comprehension, with the aim of reading and understanding geopolitical and intelligence texts, developing writing skills in related contexts.

8

The course provides advanced knowledge of the main theoretical and methodological approaches to the analytical study of international relations, with a focus on global governance processes and contemporary diplomatic practices. The course analyzes the role of state and non-state actors, international organizations, and multilateral regimes in crisis management, conflict management, and international cooperation processes. Special emphasis is placed on the evolution of diplomacy in the era of globalization and economic, political, and technological interdependence.

8

The course analyses Islamic law and its historical evolution in depth, facilitating knowledge of Mediterranean geopolitical contexts, developing the ability to compare European models with Islamic countries, analysing political and institutional dynamics in North Africa, with attention to national and European interests.

8

The course aims to provide students with strategic management skills for Human Resources in security and cybersecurity contexts with the aim of integrating HR practices with specific needs of critical sectors and resource management in high-risk environments.

8

The course explores the deviant behaviours of contemporary political and religious movements, focusing on Europe and Italy, providing fundamental notions on extremist and radical phenomena, analysing the interaction between techno-scientific development, the role of the media, and geopolitical agenda.

8

2nd year

Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian
The course aims to develop linguistic proficiency for everyday situations (A2+/B1-), exploring the different linguistic dimensions with a contrastive approach for in-depth understanding.

French, Portuguese, Spanish
The course aims to achieve linguistic proficiency (B2-/B2) for everyday situations and explores the dimensions of the language (phonetics, morphology, syntax, pragmatics) with a contrastive approach.

English
The course focuses on the development of daily use linguistic skills at a B2-/B2 level, exploring the dimensions of the language (phonetics, morphology, syntax) also with a contrastive approach for in-depth understanding.

German
The course aims to develop linguistic proficiency for everyday situations (B1+/B2-), exploring the different linguistic dimensions with a contrastive approach for in-depth understanding.

6

The course analyzes cybersecurity policies and related legal frameworks from a comparative perspective, with reference to the national, European, and international levels. The course examines cybersecurity strategies, the protection of critical infrastructure, cyberspace governance, and the balancing of security requirements and the protection of fundamental rights. The goal is to provide students with critical tools for analyzing and understanding the various regulatory and institutional solutions adopted in the main jurisdictions.

8

The course provides theoretical and methodological tools for conceptual analysis and risk assessment in cybersecurity. The course explores the main methodologies for threat identification, vulnerability assessment, and cyber risk management in public and private contexts. Special attention is paid to incident prevention, mitigation strategies, and response to cyber events, as well as the integration of risk assessment into strategic and institutional decision-making processes.

8

The program combines history, politics, economics, and law to train experts in the analysis of global processes, security, international trade, diplomacy, and crisis management.

8

2 free-choice courses

The course offers an in-depth overview of communication theories and practical strategies. It aims to develop skills in content creation and management, media analysis and advanced communication skills.

8

The course analyzes the main demographic trends and dynamics at the global and regional levels, with particular reference to phenomena such as population aging, migration, demographic transitions, and urbanization. The course analytically examines the impact of demographic change on public policy, security, economic development, and international relations, providing interpretative tools for analyzing complex demographic scenarios.

8

The course aims to develop analytical skills for interpreting and assessing geopolitical risks in international and regional contexts. The course addresses the main political, economic, strategic, and technological factors that influence international stability and relations between global actors. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of crisis areas, power competition, and the strategic and analytical implications for public and private actors.

8

free-choice ECTS

Student's free-choice courses

8

Other activities

The laboratory delves into the planning and management of European projects, in order to acquire practical skills in the development of project proposals, budgeting and relations with European institutions.

4

Final test

12

Those students enrolled in the Master's degree course in Investigation, Crime and International Security (LM-52) have the opportunity, during the entire study cycle, to participate in one of the following professional courses entirely free of charge:

  • Introduction to programming with Python;
  • Ethical Hacking and Penetration Test 1 – Kali Linux and Hacking Tools;
  • Ethical Hacking and Penetration Test 2 – Python Programming for Hacking;
  • Cybersecurity Audit.

Find out more at the following link.

Curriculum Compilation Guide

At the beginning of the academic year, the University organises dedicated sessions to guide students through the completion of their curricula. During these sessions, which involve faculty, the Orientation Office, and the Student Secretariat, studetns receive technical instructions on how to complete their curriculum, as well as general information regarding the training offer and the awarding of credits.

Study Abroad Experiences and Internships

Given the University's strong international outlook, UNINT's Degree courses offer students the opportunity to spend a period abroad for study or internship purposes, thanks to a network of over 100 international agreements with European and non-European universities. The University also has around 700 active agreements for internships and work placements with public and private institutions in Italy and abroad.

Framework agreements

THEUniversità degli Studi Internazionali di Roma – UNINT Auticon has signed a memorandum of understanding with Auticon, which provides, starting in the 2026/2027 academic year, for the activation of curricular and extracurricular internships for students and graduates of the bachelor's degree program in Political Science, International Security, and Crime (L-36) and the master's degree program in Investigation, Crime, and International Security (LM-52) diagnosed with autism, aimed at entering the workforce. Upon completion of the internship, Auticon undertakes to evaluate, where possible, the continuation of the relationship through hiring or other forms of professional collaboration consistent with the skills acquired. The memorandum promotes neurodiversity in the workplace as an effective model for promoting the social and occupational inclusion of neurodivergent individuals.
The collaboration between UNINT and Auticon also aims to promote the dissemination of inclusive best practices and contribute to the construction of a business and academic environment based on the principles of equity, sustainability, and social responsibility, with positive economic and social impacts.


Admission requirements, verification of initial preparation and pre-courses

Admission requirements to the Master's degree course in Investigation, Crime and International Security (LM-52) are possession of one of the following qualifications: Bachelor's degree or university diploma or other qualification obtained abroad, recognised as suitable according to current legislation, in the following degree classes pursuant to Ministerial Decree 270/04: L-5; L-6; L-8; L-10; L-11; L-12; L-14; L-16; L-18; L-19; L-20; L-24; L-31; L-33; L-36; L-37; L-39; L-40; L-41; L-42; LMG/01; DS/1; L/DS. The degree classes pursuant to DM 509/99 are equivalent to the classes pursuant to DM 270/04 listed, pursuant to the Interministerial Decree of 9 July 2009.
For graduates of other classes, admission is conditional on possession of the curricular requirements defined within the Degree course's academic regulations.  

For the purposes of enrolment, an interview is required with a commission of teachers in order to verify initial preparation and the adequacy of the curricular requirements.

For the academic year 2026/2027 the test will take place remotely on the following dates:

  • 20 February 2026 | 3:00 pm

  • 8 May 2026 | 3:00 pm

  • 22 July 2026 | 3:00 pm

  • 17 September 2026 | 3:00 pm

  • 16 October 2026 | 3:00 pm

  • 30 October 2026 | 3:00 pm

To enrol in the Degree course, it will be necessary to verify that you meet the requirements.

Pre-courses

In order to support the start and management of studies, pre-courses in fundamentals of law, fundamentals of geopolitics and fundamentals of criminal law are available before the start of lectures. Participation in the pre-courses is optional and not binding for the purposes of enrolment.

Tuition fee, scholarships and financial aids

Università degli Studi Internazionali di Roma - UNINT provides for a banded tuition fee system that rewards scholastic and university merit as well as scholarships linked to talent and social and civil commitment for high school graduates, students about to graduate and graduates. 

To find out about the tuition fees, scholarships and financial aids.

Learn more

Furthermore, students wishing to enrol can, as would be the case by enrolling at a State University, access the ‘Right to Study’ Call for Applications, through which DiSCo (regional body for the right to education and knowledge) and Regione Lazio provide benefits and services to university students to guarantee the right to study in accordance with Article 34 of the Italian Constitution, which enshrines the principle of equal educational opportunities.

By participating in the call for applications, it is possible to access scholarships and receive financial support to cover university costs

The services offered also include accommodation in student residences, and subsidised access to the canteen with meals at reduced costs. International mobility grants are also provided to support students during periods of study or internship abroad, thus facilitating international educational experiences.

 The call for application is published every year on the website http://www.laziodisco.it/.
For further information, please consult the Valid identity document and contact the relevant office whose contact details are given below.  

Contacts Right to study
Sonia Fronte
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
E-mail: dirittoallostudio@unint.eu
Tel (+39) 06.510.777.296

UNINT Accommodation agreements

Università degli Studi Internazionali di Roma – UNINT has entered into agreements with various residential facilities and specialised platforms in order to facilitate students' access to housing solutions at advantageous conditions.
Detailed information on affiliated facilities and benefits are available in the dedicated section on the University's website.

Course of Study Steering Committee

  • Alessandro De Nisco, Director of UNINT Department of International Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Giacomo Aiello, State Attorney
  • Antonino Albanese, Istituto San Pio V Councillor
  • Adele Colombani, Business Analyst
  • Marco Minniti, President of Fondazione Med-Or, former Minister of the Interior

Dual Degree

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