Public & International Affairs
The two-year Masters in Public and International Affairs prepares Canada's future leaders for today's global challenges. It has three distinguishing features. First, it is bilingual, students being required to take one-third of their courses and do their assignments in them in Canada's other official language. Second, it seeks to fuse together theory and practical knowledge. Instructors are both academics and practitioners. Students learn to write briefing notes and memos to senior government officials.
They do a paid supervised internship with a government department, an international agency, or a non-governmental organization. Those students who wish to pursue an academic career have the opportunity to do a major research paper in their final year. Third, it is multidisciplinary and integrative: students are exposed in their courses to different methodological approaches and skills. The second-year Capstone Seminar is designed to bring together these diverse aptitudes in a dynamic learning environment.
As its name suggests, the MPIA has a strong international component. It encourages second-year students to go on a one-term exchange or to opt for the double Masters degree the MPIA has with the Université de Strasbourg in France. Our programme boasts a very high success rate in placing its graduates in enriching jobs in the federal or provincial civil service, as well as in international organizations or local bodies.
Degrees Offered
Masters in Public and International Affairs (MPIA)
Program Length (Full-time)
5 term(s)
Program Component(s)
- Major research paper
- OR Course work only
- OR Dual Degree with IEP Strasbourg in Year 2
- OR one-term exchange in Year 2
Minimum Required GPA
B+
Fall Entry
- Full-time
Deadline - Fall (Full-time Applicants Only)
2025-04-15English Proficiency Requirement
| Minimum TOEFL (Paper-based) | 600 |
| Minimum TOEFL (Internet-based) | 100 |
| IELTS (Academic Module) | 7.5 |
| YUELI | Academic Program Level 9 with Distinction |
| YUELI Graduate Studies Preparation Program (GSPP) | Graduate with distinction |
| CAEL | Overall score of 70, no component score less than 60 |
| Minimum CPE Score | C |
| Minimum CAE Score | B |
| Duolingo | 140 |
| PTE Academic | 76 |
Additional Admission Requirements
Required Forms
En français
Informations complémentaires (PDF)
Formulaire d'évaluation (PDF)
Number of Recommendation(s)
- 3 recommendation(s)
Other Requirements
- Applicants are required to be proficient in at least one language (English or French), with at least a working knowledge of the other language
- Resumé or CV
- Statement of interest (approx. 500 words), in French & English, including Grad Course List
- Seminar paper (5,000 to 7,500 words)
Languages requirements
Proficiency of the first official Language
A. Proof of English language proficiency is demonstrated by:
- Your first language being English; OR
- Completion of at least two years of full-time study at an accredited university in a country (or institution) where English is the official language of instruction; OR
- One of the following English language tests:
- TOEFL: a minimum score of 600 (paper based) or 100 (internet based)
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 7.5 (Academic Module)
- Cambridge C2 Proficiency, formerly known as CPE: level C
- Cambridge C1 Advanced, formerly known as CAE: level B
B. Proof of French language proficiency is demonstrated by:
- Your first language being French; OR
- Completion of at least two years of full-time study at an accredited university in a country (or institution) where French is the official language of instruction; OR
- One of the following French language tests:
Working Knowledge of the second official Language
A. Proof of working knowledge of English is demonstrated by:
- Completion of a minimum of one full-year university disciplinary course(s) with a minimum grade of B+, undertaken in the English language in the last three years of study; OR
- Completion of a minimum of one full-year advanced English as a second language university course with a minimum grade of B+, in the last three years of study. Students are required to submit a sample of their written work and the course(s) syllabus(bi). A (telephone) interview may also be requested; OR
- One of the following English language tests:
- TOEFL: a minimum score of 550 (paper based) or 79-80 (internet based)
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 6.5 (Academic Module)
- Cambridge C2 Proficiency, formerly known as CPE: level C1
- Cambridge C1 Advanced, formerly known as CAE: level C
B. Proof of working knowledge of French is demonstrated by:
- Completion of a minimum of one full-year university disciplinary course with a minimum grade of B+, undertaken in the French language in the last three years of study; OR
- Completion of a minimum of one full-year advanced university French as a second language course with a minimum grade of B+, in the last three years of study. Students are required to submit a sample of their written work and the course(s) syllabus(bi). A (telephone) interview may also be requested; OR
- One of the following French language tests:
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