​​Program Overview

The Master of International Relations (MAIR) at Dar Al -Hekma offers a well -structured program that prepares students for success in the world of diplomacy and International relations. The two- year program includes 9 core courses that provide a strong foundation for students in both the theory as well as the practice of International Relations. Students then select a concentration of 3 additional courses in the specialized fields of International Law or International Economics. Two additional free elective courses enhance students understanding in areas such as business and foreign policy. The University assists with internship placements at International Organizations in Jeddah, such as the Organization for Islamic Cooperation ( OIC) or the Islamic Development Bank ( IDB) or at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ( MOFA) or abroad if feasible. Dar Al-Hekma University is the first in Saudi Arabia to offer a Masters' Program in International Relations.

All MAIR courses are taught by a pool of dedicated, passionate and high-caliber faculty from diverse local and international backgrounds some of whom teach in international universities and are practitioners in the field.

Graduates of the program will be prepared for the exciting new opportunities that are opening up for women in the Kingdom in the field of diplomacy and International Relations.

Program Mission

To graduate scholars and professionals with a local and global perspective on the increasingly complex and challenging world of international affairs, law and diplomacy.

Why choose the Master of Arts in International Relations Program (MAIR) at Dar Al-Hekma University?

Dar Al-Hekma University is the only academic institution in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that offers this major. The curriculum was developed in collaboration with the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, Boston. With a wide exposure to international relations and regional issues, students may specialize in one of two tracks: International Law or International Economics.

The Master of International Relations program is enriched by student and international faculty diversity, empowering graduates with essential skills to thrive globally and locally. Courses in the MAIR program are taught in the evenings to accommodate working students and are delivered on a modular basis in 3-4 week cycles for each course throughout the semester. In addition to theory-based lectures, students are engaged in research and in practical work in a required internship course usually completed at an International or governmental organization.