Students speak to students.

The creation of this section followed the great number of e-mails from applicants.

Students from the contact list MRIAE2011@yahoogroupes.fr answered all your questions, but nevertheless noticed that some questions were repeatedly asked  back frequently. This section is thus proposed to you to make you gain time. Do not hesitate to solicit them if you still have questions, they will be there to answer!

Warning : This section is written by students from the Magistère. All the answers are given on the personal responsability of these students. They reflect in no way the opinion of the Magistère Head Office. The information given does not have an official source, and is only an individual estimation that is merely given as a kind of  guide by the students. Therefore, this section has to be considered as a tool made by students for other students, allowing everybody to earn time.

Is there a « typical profile » to be admitted in the Magistère ?

There is no « typical profile ». Nevertheless, the teaching offered at the Magistère requires :<//strong>

•  A good knowledge of international questions (To have studied or worked abroad among other things, is an asset during the selection) ;
        
•  A great capacity of work (The first year consists in making students acquire a common knowledge as some courses are new subjects for some students) ;

Below, you will find a non exhaustive list of the trainings followed by students of the Magistère before their selection :

Before the admission in first year :

Undergraduate (French « Licence 2 or 3 ») or graduate (French « Master 1 ») studies in History, Economy, Law, L.E.A. (University Language course with emphasis on business and management), Political Science, ...

French post-secondary preparatory school in Literature or Social Sciences.

Universities of Political Sciences.

Other majors (Sociology, Philosophy, Social Studies, etc.).

Before the admission in second year :

Master’s degree (French « Master 1 or 2 ») in History, Economy, Law, L.E.A., Political Science, …

How does the interview take place?

The aim of the interview is to test your knowledge of international current affairs, to know your motives for entering the Magistère and to determine your level in English. Therefore, you should :

• read the daily newspapers during the months before the interview ;
• carefully prepare how to present your professional project and show its consistency (you should prepare your cover letter and your CV/résumé in this perspective) ;
• be able to explain your interest for the Magistère ;
• be able to easily express yourself in English and to carry on a conversation (5 minutes maximum)

About the practical organization of the interview, a jury made up of two or three professors from the Magistère will ask you questions about your former academic training and your motivation during about 10 minutes. The questions can be asked in English, if so you will of course answer in Shakespeare’s language.

BE CAREFUL, a question also can be asked in one of the languages you have indicated in your CV or cover letter, so do not lie ! (Ex : Nederlandse taal, is het moeilijk?....).

The second part lasts about 10 minutes, and is about current affairs, or the recent history of the geographical areas the student claims to know about or to have visited. Nevertheless, this part has not a defined pattern, no strict rules. It depends on the jury’s inspiration.

But you can at least expect this :

    Precise questions about current affairs

    What would you like to do after the Magistère ?

    Why did you choose the Magistère ?

    Are you ready to work hard in a subject that you are not familiar with ?

Specific questions about your CV : you have to be able to talk about an experience, a country you have been in, etc.

Try to avoid too much stress. Although the stake are high, you have to handle your stress to not spoil your chances on the day of the interview. So relax, go there with a magazine to wait for your turn... And good luck !

Is the Magistère more of a European than International program?

 The Magistère allows to specialize in at least two geographical areas. But it is true however that in first year, History of Western and Eastern Europe is compulsory because the knowledge of this area where we are studying is a minimum. The student is then free to choose his favorite areas in second year.

What is the purpose of making the field trip to a European capital?

The field trip is an opportunity for students to learn more about the different professions related to international relations through visits, conferences and debates organized with the help of the diplomatic institutions, International Organizations and the associations of the city visited. This trip allows students to become aware of the diversity of the professions in international affairs, while giving them the opportunity to make contacts with agencies located abroad, in the perspective of future internships. The trip is also an opportunity to participate to cultural visits (theatre, opera, museums).              

  For further information about the school trips, go to the section « Field Trip » on the website. You will find there the destinations in previous years. 

Is it possible to choose as a second language a rare language, like swahili ?

Yes, (almost) everything is possible. English is compulsory and it is more a civilization course than a language course since admitted students are supposed to already have a good level in English. The Magistère also offers Spanish, German, Russian and Arab courses.  

Language courses are attended by small groups of 10 to 15 students, and three levels are offered : newbie, intermediate and advanced. As for other languages, students can attend courses at Paris 1 language center or at INALCO, the secretariat will insert the marks obtained in the Magistère school report.

For further information, go to the « Foreign Languages » section of the website.