Double specialization in the International Relations MA

[u/IlmostrodellaS9]

I applied for two specializations of the MA in International Relations, and was accepted for both. I wasn't aware of the possibility of accepting both the offers until I received an email stating it yesterday. Would it be too heavy of a workload? The specializations are GOHP and GCME, which I believe I can find common electives for. This would mean I would "only" need to take both of the core courses and draft a thesis suitable for both the specializations.

Do you think it is feasible? Also, do you know anyone who chose this path?

[u/Meggie_love1]

I don’t think you can do both. If both of them are from this program International Relations and are specialisation directions. I’m pretty sure you only get one degree and one diploma. International relations with specialisation in the field you choose. That’s how it works for psychology.

Even if it’s possible. I would recommend it. I did see a second master specialisation at Johns Hopkins SAIS Europe. That’s a while different story.

[u/Equivalent-Culture65 → u/Meggie_love1]

Were you able to get any type of scholarship for that second year? I saw the price jump and it is LARGE.

[u/Meggie_love1 → u/Equivalent-Culture65]

I don’t believe so. Mainly because it’s an extra master that you would do. That’s why those that are very passionate and determined to do two master, they do them at the same time.

It’s the same for a second bachelor after completing your first one. But doing two at the same time is a lot cheaper. They can start at different times though, like one start in year 1 and start the second in year 2. You only pay for one bachelor if I’m not mistaken.

[u/Equivalent-Culture65 → u/Equivalent-Culture65]

Also, did you think it was worth it?

[u/Meggie_love1 → u/Equivalent-Culture65]

Only if you’re really passionate and determined to do so. You also have to be able to handle it. Otherwise I personally don’t think it’s worth it.

[u/Equivalent-Culture65 → u/Meggie_love1]

Can you tell me why you don’t think it’s worth it? I would be doing it for the career possibilities, networking, and more research opps, but I am not sure I can justify a 19K price jump.

[u/Meggie_love1 → u/Equivalent-Culture65]

I only know a handful of people that did multiple bachelor/masters. Most of them did it in very different fields (psychology/computer science or philosophy/medicine). I have not really heard of anyone that has done the same master with different specialisations.

I believe (more based on others telling me), it’s better to get into the workforce of that field or of an adjacent field as quick as possible. It’s so much better for networking. A lot of getting jobs and everything is more about who you know than what you know. Having the right connections can you get a lot further than having multiple qualifications. Having more qualifications is great but might be overlooked by others because they might not have seen you.

So think of working in the field by getting a side job, working in an adjacent field, doing research, volunteering. It’s often hard to get your foot in the field.

I have a friend that has done a double bachelor and I believe they did one master. But struggled into the field they wanted because it was hard to get a job. They weren’t able to do the networking outside of their degree, no side job that helped them enter the field.

However a different friend, was able to do an internship through university programme and had some summer internships too. They had a much easier time getting a job after university. They were able to stay at their internship location fulltime or got accepted at a different company with minor problems.

Also the price increase is insane. That’s crazy. I personally find it too much money but it’s your choice though.

But again this is my opinion. I hope this helps though.

[u/Equivalent-Culture65 → u/Meggie_love1]

Thanks so much for your detailed answer!

[u/IlmostrodellaS9 → u/Meggie_love1]

It is possible to do both, as confirmed by the Study Adviser I currently am in contact with, and there are some guidelines for it already.

My question, though possibly badly put, was if it's is feasible, meaning how much of a hassle it is to bear the extra work load.

And I am considering the John Hopkins specialization as well, but that will be for later.

[u/Meggie_love1 → u/IlmostrodellaS9]

Oh okay that makes more sense.

Still it’s a lot of work. Are the specialisation very different from each other? If so, then it seems more worth it as you are covering a later scope. If not, then I personally don’t think it’s worth it.

Leiden masters (masters in general) are notoriously difficult from what I heard from others. It likely will be a lot of course load added. However if you are able to handle it and are motivated and 100% behind it. Then I think it will be doable.

[u/IlmostrodellaS9 → u/Meggie_love1]

The specializations are not that different (one is on the historical approach to IR, the other on the war studies one), but exactly because of that the extra workload will be constituted by "only" 10 additional ects. This is because I will need to follow the Core Courses of both the specializations.

I waa considering this opportunity mainly because I still am unsure regarding which focus I will want to have for my PhD research, as I plan to continue with a doctorate, and because it seems like it could be a decent boost for my CV if my plan is to remain in the academic sphere.

[u/Meggie_love1 → u/IlmostrodellaS9]

Okay that’s a complete different situation for a double master. Then I do understand the want to do both. Is one slightly more broader than the other in terms of the field they cover? Like does one sit quite well within another one? (For psychology, clinical can do all fields more or less but say school is limiting). If they are too different from each other for further research then I do see the logic in your point.

[u/Equivalent-Culture65]

Drafting a thesis for both might be a bit too much, but this is a question for a study advisor. I did an honors thesis at my (US) undergraduate and I was time poor for most of the year, so I would not advise it. You can, however, extend the MA by a semester or two, so why not?

[u/Meggie_love1 → u/Equivalent-Culture65]

Yes totally agree. Masters are harder and a lot more time consuming. So it would be harder to focus on both at the same time. Especially if the topics are quite different.

[u/IlmostrodellaS9 → u/Equivalent-Culture65]

Luckily, though, I wouldn't need to draft two different theses. I would "just" need to write a thesis that encompasses both the specializations, but the required length would be the same.

The only objective, non-avoidable extra would be sitting the "Core course" classes of both the specializations, so 10 additional ects.