Switzerland · Master's
Geneva Graduate Institute
Master of Arts in International Affairs
Geneva Graduate Institute
Course Overview
The Geneva Graduate Institute (Institut de hautes études internationales et du développement / IHEID) is the world's leading specialist graduate school for international affairs, development, and global governance. Located steps from the UN, WHO, WTO, ILO, UNHCR, and ICRC, IHEID offers an unmatched ecosystem for students aiming at the UN system, diplomatic service, or major NGOs. Alumni include heads of state, UN agency directors, and Nobel laureates.
The MA in International Affairs is a two-year, English-taught programme with five specialisation tracks: International Negotiation & Policy-Making, International Trade & Investment, International Finance, International Security, and Environment, Resources & Sustainability. Sri Lankan applicants with strong Bachelor's degrees in Political Science, IR, Law, Economics, or Development Studies (Colombo, Peradeniya, SAITM, Kelaniya, or international universities) are the natural fit. The cohort is intensely international (~95% non-Swiss) and the career office places aggressively into the UN system, diplomatic services, and Bain/McKinsey public-sector practices.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle Bachelor's degree in International Relations, Political Science, Law, Economics, Development Studies, or related field — Sri Lankan SLQF Level 6 with GPA equivalent to first-class.
- check_circle Demonstrated interest in international affairs — Model UN, internships at NGOs/embassies, policy writing, academic publications.
- check_circle Statement of purpose (3 essays), CV, writing sample, and 2 academic references.
- check_circle GRE General is required for most applicants (target 160 Verbal + 155 Quant); some Sri Lankan candidates exempted with strong academic record.
English Proficiency
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 7.0 Overall (min 6.5 in each section).
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 100 Overall.
- check_circle Cambridge C1 Advanced or higher.
- check_circle Waived if your Bachelor's was taught entirely in English at a recognised institution. French B2 strongly recommended for Geneva-based internships.
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (CHF) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (per year) | CHF 16,660 | Rs. 6,164,000 |
| Accommodation in Geneva (per year) | CHF 14,400 | Rs. 5,328,000 |
| Living Expenses & Food (per year) | CHF 9,600 | Rs. 3,552,000 |
| Health Insurance & Mandatory Fees | CHF 1,800 | Rs. 666,000 |
| Estimated Annual Investment | CHF 42,460 | Rs. 15,710,000 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
IHEID MA International Affairs graduates have unmatched placement into the UN system — UNHQ Geneva, WHO, WTO, ILO, UNHCR, ICRC, UNDP, UNICEF, OHCHR. Diplomatic services across the world recruit IHEID alumni heavily. The McKinsey, BCG, Bain public-sector practices and World Bank, IMF, OECD economist tracks are also major destinations. Switzerland's 6-month post-graduation permit and work-permit conversion under non-EU quotas applies (UN-system roles often have separate diplomatic-status visas). Sri Lankan returnees take senior roles at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lankan diplomatic missions, UN agency Sri Lanka offices, and international NGOs.
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ඔබට සුදුසු විශ්වවිද්යාලයක් තේරීම, අයදුම්පත් යොමු කිරීම, SOP සකස් කිරීම සහ වීසා ලබා ගැනීම ඇතුළු සෑම පියවරකදීම, ඔබ වෙනුවෙන් සියලුම වගකීම් විශ්වාසවන්තව අප භාර ගනිමු.