School of International Relations of Saint-Petersburg University.

Saint-Petersburg State University is the oldest university in Russia. It was founded in 1724. It is situated in the historic center of the city, close to well-known architectural masterpieces.

The School of International Relations (SIR) was founded in 1994 and it is one of the leading research and teaching institutions in Russia and North-Eastern Europe that trains highly qualified specialists in international relations. The School maintains relations with more than thirty universities in Europe and North America: e.g. US (The University of Miami and University of Southern California), Switzerland ( University of St. Gallen), Holland (University of Haague and The Netherlands Institute of international relations, Clingendael), Italy (University of Bologna), Finland (University of Tampere), Poland (University of Warsaw).

The SIR is member of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA) that comprises 34 member schools in North America, Asia and Europe dedicated to the improvement of professional education in international affairs and the advancement thereby of international understanding, prosperity, peace, and security. The member schools of the APSIA are the primary sources of education for international affairs professionals in their respective countries. These schools prepare students for the global workplace of the 21st Century by combining multidisciplinary, policy-oriented, intercultural studies with career development.

The School of International Relations runs Educational Resources Information Center for the top three international organizations. It houses a European Documentation Centre, a Regional Information and Documentation Center for Council of Europe, and a United Nations Depository Library. Besides, it has an Information Centre for Iberian Studies and another one for Indian Studies.

At present the SIR offers two basic programmes: International Relations and Area Studies. Our courses cover a wide range of subjects, including: international law, economics, international relations, political science, history, arts, ethnic studies, foreign languages, etc. The language of instruction is mainly Russian, however, a number of programmes are taught in English including some English Master’s Programmes offered both to domestic and international students.

The University degree system is based on the three-level hierarchy of degree: Bachelor, Master and Doctor/Ph.D.
 

Bachelor’s programmes (length of study: 4 years) are the following:

• European studies examine contemporary Europe, its political and state systems, culture, religion, disarmament and security issues, etc. 
• North American studies explore US economy, foreign policy, Russian-American relations, etc.
• International relations specialization consists of several departments: World Politics, Theory and History of international relations, International Humanitarian Links.
• Applied computer science in international relations (length of study: 5 years) covers a great number of maths subjects and a foreign language (English).

Master’s programmes (length of study: 2 years) are the following: 

• European studies
• Commonwealth of independent states studies
• Baltic and Nordic studies
• North American studies
• Pacific area studies
• World politics
• International humanitarian links
• International relations theory and foreign policy analysis
• History and international relations in the 20th century
• Diplomacy of the Russian Federation and foreign states
• International cooperation in the field of environment and development.
   

The School of International Relations of Saint-Petersburg State University regularly holds international seminars and conferences, forums and round-tables attended by prominent researchers and scholars, policymakers and renowned public figures both Russian and foreign. For example, Russia and the European Union international conference will be held at the Faculty in the end of May, also in May the XVIII Annual Russian-American seminar will take place. "Russia and India in the modern world", "Russia and NATO" and it is not a full list of various events and possibilities of the SIR.