What are the best MA (IR/Diplomacy) in EUROPE?

[Homelesss]

I know IR seems to be the "it" thing at the grad forums, but I hope you will bare with me...

I've been looking at various forums and rankings and I see that the IR discussion always focuses on the US/UK programs... I'd say 80-90% US programs are listed as the "best in the world" with maybe 10-20% in the UK.

First of all, why is that?

Second, what are the BEST programs in continental Europe? This is what really interests me.

The only names I really hear mentioned here are:

Siences Po (Paris)

and HEI (Geneva)

How do those MA programs compare to the US/UK ones?

And what are the other programs worth mentioning in CONTINENTAL EUROPE?

I hope some people smarter than me WILL voice their opinions here. I'm counting on you guys!

Ps. I should mention that my aspirations are not quite of the UN/IMF/CIA caliber. I'm just trying to find my way to a job with the local ministry of foreign affairs or diplomatic corps... and/or maybe something EU related (Czech or Slovak).

[lecorbeau]

Besides the continental heavyweights e.g., IHEID in Geneva and Sciences Po in Paris, I might add the Hertie School in Berlin (fairly new but already established and reputable institution), the College of Europe/Collège d'Europe in Bruges (this being almost exclusively EU-focused), and on a slightly lower tier (but by no means "bad") the Central European University in Budapest.

Also, while I can't speak to its reputation or quality, I met quite a few very impressive young Italians working abroad who attended LUISS Guido Carli in Rome. They have programs in English and while the people I met are of course biased being graduates of the school themselves, they all nevertheless seemed to agree that it was one of, if not the best, school of IR in the whole of Italy.

Edited July 29, 2012 by lecorbeau

[lecorbeau]

You might have already seen this, but just in case, check out this thread:

[lost_0101]

I'm just trying to find my way to a job with the local ministry of foreign affairs or diplomatic corps... and/or maybe something EU related (Czech or Slovak).

consider CEU in Budapest - apparently good w. the funding

[Homelesss]

Thanks so much for all the input guys. I will certainly look into all the schools you mentioned and see if there's a fit. I have one more question:

I am currently a dual-citizen, and I keep thinking how stressing one nationality over another can either help or hurt my chances. I am both American and Slovak.

So here's the thing, money aside, would it serve me better to "sell" myself as an American trying to study in Europe, or as an Eastern European with an American BA trying to study in Western Europe.

People on these and other forums have repeatedly claimed that S.Po and other top European institutions are easier to get into if you are American. BUT, I would also assume that there are even less Slovaks applying to schools like that than Americans. So, assuming that these schools are indeed shooting for a ton of diversity, what might be better?

What do you guys think?

Edited July 30, 2012 by Homelesss