Dual Masters Programme

Find out about the Global Studies Dual Masters Programme.

Photo of a LUISS University building

Sussex-Luiss partnership

The Dual Masters Programme offered by Luiss University in Rome and the University of Sussex is an exciting two-year course providing you with in-depth interdisciplinary knowledge of contemporary global challenges at the intersection of political, environmental and security issues.

You’ll study at two highly-ranked and international universities in the field of international studies and development:

The programme is taught entirely in English by faculty with wide international research expertise and extensive teaching experience.

You’ll experience two complementary and enriching student experiences. One (Luiss, pictured above) takes place in a thriving EU capital which combines the ancient and the modern with one of the largest diplomatic and academic networks in the world. The other (Sussex, pictured below) is set on one of the most attractive campuses in the UK in an area of ‘outstanding natural beauty’, just one hour from London and right next to the bustling and vibrant seaside town of Brighton. 

Picture of Sussex campus on a sunny day

Programmes

You can choose between the International Relations, Security and Development programme and the International Relations, Environment and Development programme.

International Relations, Security and Development

This programme combines the Master’s Degree Programme in International Relations (Laurea Magistrale) at Luiss with the MA in Conflict, Security and Development at Sussex.

This option offers you a unique opportunity to explore the intersections of global politics, security and development through two leading academic institutions. At Luiss in Rome, you’ll begin with a strong foundation in:

  • International Relations
  • global politics
  • global governance
  • emphasising interdisciplinary approaches
  • policy analysis.

The curriculum is designed to deepen your understanding of international systems, regional dynamics and institutional frameworks.

The curriculum will also encourage critical thinking about contemporary geopolitical challenges and the evolving role of international institutions.

You’ll then transition to the University of Sussex, where you’ll engage with one of only four dedicated International Relations departments in the UK, world-renowned for its critical perspectives on security and development. The MA in Conflict, Security and Development focuses on:

  • the complex relationships between (in)security and global development through issues such as war and armed intervention
  • global health and poverty
  • environmental degradation.

You’ll learn theories and critical perspectives that will help you understand crises in innovative ways and address them across the power relations between the Global North and the Global South.

Sussex’s globally recognised expertise in development studies and international relations will enrich your academic experience with cutting-edge research and practical teaching.

International Relations, Environment and Development

This programme combines the Master’s Degree Programme in International Relations (Laurea Magistrale) at Luiss with the MA in Environment, Development and Policy at Sussex.

This option equips you with the knowledge and skills to tackle global challenges at the nexus of international politics, environmental sustainability and development.

At Luiss in Rome, you’ll begin with a rigorous foundation in:

  • international relations
  • global politics
  • global governance.

The curriculum emphasises:

  • analytical skills
  • policy-making
  • the role of institutions in shaping international affairs
  • the strategic, economic and social factors that influence global dynamics.

You’ll then continue your studies at the University of Sussex, a world leader in development studies and climate change policy, where you’ll explore the complex interconnections between environmental change and global development.

The MA in Environment, Development and Policy focuses on critical issues such as:

  • climate change
  • sustainable development
  • environmental governance
  • the politics of resource management.

It pays particular attention to social and environmental justice that encourages you to challenge dominant paradigms and engage with real-world policy debates.

Programme structure

As a student on the dual MA in 2026-2028, you’ll begin your studies in Rome in September 2026. You’ll then move to Sussex in September 2027 to attend one of the two MA programmes:

  • Conflict, Security and Development
  • Environment, Development and Policy.

You’ll write a 10,000 word dissertation during your second year, with a supervisor from Sussex. You’ll be required to defend your thesis in person in Rome in the autumn 2028 graduation session.

Upon completing the programme, you’ll earn two degrees:

  • a Master’s Degree in International Relations (or Laurea Magistrale) from Luiss
  • a Master of Arts from the University of Sussex in either Conflict, Security and Development or Environment, Development and Policy.

Practical experience

On both programmes, you’ll have the option to obtain practical experiences through research placements at institutions ranging from international organisations such as FAO, to local NGOs in Brighton or London. You’ll also benefit from field trips and guest speakers. This’ll enhance your employability opportunities in public and private sectors.

As a graduate of the Dual Masters Programme, you’ll emerge with a comprehensive understanding of the political, economic, security and ecological dimensions of global development that gives you the ability to navigate complex global systems and advocate for sustainable and equitable solutions.

Both programmes foster:

  • analytical rigour
  • cross-cultural competence
  • a nuanced understanding of the challenges shaping today’s interconnected world.

You’ll leave with a dual qualification and a comprehensive skill set tailored for careers in international organisations, NGOs, government agencies, think tanks and policy institutions.

How to apply

For application details and further information, visit the Luiss University webpages for the Dual Masters programmes in International Relations, Security and Development and International Relations, Environment and Development.

While the University of Sussex classifies this arrangement as a Dual Degree (reflecting two independent awards), our Italian partner may use the term Double Degree to meet Italian national regulatory requirements. Regardless of the title used in marketing or by either institution, the academic outcome remains the same: students successfully completing the pathway are conferred two separate degree certificates.

Image – Luiss campus, Luiss University.

Contact

 For enquiries, please contact Professor Fabio Petito at F.Petito@sussex.ac.uk.

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