How to Apply | MAIR at SAIS Europe
We encourage you to review all of the Master of Arts in International Relations (MAIR) application instructions before beginning the application.
Application Deadlines
Enrollment Term | Application Deadline | Notification By | |
---|---|---|---|
Early Notification | Fall 2025 | November 1, 2024 | December 16, 2024 |
Regular Decision | Fall 2025 | January 7, 2025 | March 11, 2025 |
Note: These instructions are only for students who are interested in studying at SAIS Europe for their first year of the MAIR program. If you wish to apply to study at the Washington DC campus for both years, follow these application instructions.
Direct Admissions candidates are invited to apply according to either the Early Notification deadlines or the Regular Decision deadlines.
Application Checklist
All MAIR applicants MUST submit the following materials:
- Online application
- Resume/CV
- Essay
- Statement of purpose
- Transcripts for all university-level course work
- Two (2) letters of recommendation
- GRE or GMAT scores (optional)
- English Language Examination (non-native English speakers)
- Interview (optional)
MAIR applicants may complete an optional virtual interview, which can be scheduled through the "Supporting Materials" tab of the online application. The optional interviews are conducted by current MAIR students, and serve to be both evaluative and informational. While optional, completing an interview is highly recommended, as it is not only an opportunity for the Office of Admissions to learn more about the applicant, but also for the applicant to learn more about the MAIR program and the SAIS community.
Application Instructions
Fall 2025
1. Name: Please list your full legal name. Do not include any suffixes such as “Jr.,” “Sr.,” etc. If you have a maiden name or alternate name that you previously used legally, please list it in the "Other Last Names Used" section.
2. Addresses: Please list both your permanent and mailing addresses. If your mailing address expires before admissions decisions are rendered, then any posted correspondence will be sent to your permanent address. If your current mailing address changes at any time during the application process, please notify the Office of Admissions as soon as possible.
3. Email Address: Please provide an email address that will be valid throughout the entire application process. Take care to ensure that emails from Johns Hopkins SAIS are not filtered to a junk folder because we will communicate with you primarily through email.
4. Phone Number: When entering your phone number, if you are listing a non-US phone number, please include the country code when entering the number, leaving out any parenthesis, dashes, or other symbols.
5. Citizenship Information: Please select your citizenship. Dual citizens should select both nationalities. If you do not have a current Current Immigration Status, please select "OTH" from the drop down menu.
6. Social Security Number: This is required if you have a US Social Security Number at the time of application. OMIT otherwise if not applicable.
7. Race/Ethnicity Optional: These data are collected as required by the US Federal Government and does not influence our admissions decisions. We encourage you to answer both questions. Ethnicity definitions are provided.
1. Degree Type: Please select “Full-time” as your degree type.
2. Program: Please select “Master of Arts in International Relations” as your program of choice.
3. Location: If you wish to spend your first year at SAIS Europe in Bologna, please select “SAIS Europe Campus.” If you wish to spend both years of study in Washington DC, select “Washington DC Campus”; if you wish to be considered for either campus and have the Johns Hopkins SAIS Admissions Committee select a campus on your behalf, select “SAIS Europe Open to Washington DC or Washington DC Campus, open to SAIS Europe Campus” Please note that offers of admission to Johns Hopkins SAIS are campus-specific. Admissions offers and financial aid are allocated separately for SAIS Europe and Washington DC.
4. Anticipated Start Term: Please select your anticipated start term. If your term of interest is not visible, we are currently not accepting applications for that term.
Early Notification: Please note, for your application to be considered for Early Notification, all supporting documents (as listed in the application instructions) must be received by the Office of Admissions no later than November 1.
All applications and supporting documentation become the confidential property of the Johns Hopkins SAIS Office of Admissions and cannot be returned.
Please use the "type ahead" option in the institution name to search for the College/University you have attended. Selecting your institution through this feature will automatically populate some of the fields below and ensure that the identifying information for this institution is formatted properly in our records. If your institution code is not available, please type the name in "Institution."
Submit Transcript: You must submit transcripts reflecting all university-level course work listed on the application. You may upload unofficial transcripts via the online application, or submit official transcripts via hard copy or electronic copy, either from the college/university directly or via a transcript clearinghouse.
You should not list: 1) institutions at which three or fewer courses were completed, or where courses were only audited or taken on a non-credit basis, 2) executive education programs, 3) non-credit language institutes, or 4) non-credit certificate programs.
Mailing Transcripts: Transcripts in hard copy should be sent to the Office of Admissions in Washington DC:
Johns Hopkins SAIS
Office of Admissions
555 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20001
Transcripts in electronic copy should be sent to [email protected].
Unofficial transcripts: Admitted applicants who submit unofficial transcripts as part of the application process will be required to submit official copies prior to enrollment.
Study abroad grades and transfer credit: Transcripts listing study abroad grades and/or transfer credits are required unless both the grades and credits are reflected on the primary undergraduate transcript.
Non-English-language transcripts: If your transcript is in a language other than English, you are asked to provide an official translation of the entire transcript and an explanation of the grading system of the university. You are strongly encouraged to use a credential evaluation service, particularly if you are not sure of how to obtain original transcripts or face difficulties obtaining them. Transcripts and translations must be received by the Office of Admissions before the relevant deadline, so please make any requests well in advance.
Please list your official scores for the GRE and/or GMAT, and if required, your official English competency exam scores. If you have completed an exam more than once, please list your most recent scores. In addition to listing the scores in the online application, applicants must also send official test scores via the appropriate testing services.
1. GRE or GMAT scores: GRE and GMAT scores are optional. If you decide to submit scores for either the GRE or the GMAT, Johns Hopkins SAIS will only accept scores directly from the testing service. Please arrange for all standardized test scores to be sent in advance of the application deadline. The GRE code for Johns Hopkins SAIS is 5610-0000; the GMAT code is KGB-GX-99.
2. English Language Examination: You must submit an official English competency score if (1) English is not your native language and (2) you do not hold an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution in a country where English is an official language and where English is the language of instruction. Official test scores must be received for admissions consideration. For more information and instructions, please review our English language examination policy.
Please provide details of all of your professional positions.
1. City of Birth: Please type the name of the city where you were born.
2. US Military: Please indicate if you are an active duty or former member of the US Armed Forces in the space provided.
3. Current Residency: Please provide the country and city, where you currently reside.
4. Diversity: Johns Hopkins SAIS receives applications from a diverse pool of candidates. These questions ensure we have the clearest possible understanding of each candidate’s background. Your answers will be kept confidential.
5. Affiliations: Applicants to SAIS Europe do not pay an application fee to apply.
(MAIR in Washington DC applicants: The Office of Admissions offers application fee waivers to participants or alumni in a number of professional development programs, see list at How to Apply | Master of Arts in International Relations in Washington DC).
6. Languages: Please list your native language; bilingual applicants should list their dominant language. Your native/dominant language is the one that meets 2 out of 3 requirements: it is (a) the main language of communication between you and one of your parents or caregivers, (b) an official language in the community where you grew up, (c) the language of instruction in the high school you attended.
You should indicate levels of proficiency for up to two additional foreign languages in the areas of reading, writing, speaking and listening comprehension. Any language experience beyond these should be included on your resume.
7. Time Spent Abroad: You should use this section to indicate any time spent living, working and/or studying outside of your home country. Please list the most significant experience abroad first.
8. Financial Aid: Indicate in this section that you wish to apply for Johns Hopkins SAIS scholarships.
Please note: in order to be considered for scholarship funding, you must answer “yes” to the question in this section. Applicants who answer “no” will not be considered for any scholarship funding.
For more information on financial aid eligibility and forms, visit Financial Aid.
Please note applicants applying to SAIS Europe and requesting financial aid will need to submit the SAIS Europe financial aid form by February 15, 2021.
Before starting your studies at Johns Hopkins SAIS, candidates for the MAIR must have earned the equivalent of a B- or higher in separate college-level courses in introductory microeconomics and in introductory macroeconomics. A single, semester-long college level course in introductory economics covering both micro and macro will be considered minimally sufficient.
Use this section to indicate your background in economics coursework. Please indicate the economics courses that you received a grade of a B- or better. Under "Advanced Economics Coursework," please include field courses. If a course was taken as a high school Advance Placement (AP) course, and college credit was received, please indicate by including this information in the "Other" section.
Do not list courses not taken for a grade.
Use this section to indicate your background in mathematics. Please begin by indicating the number of college level calculus courses taken followed by the course titles, grade received and year taken. If a course was taken as a high school Advance Placement (AP) course, and college credit was received, please indicate by including this information in the "Other" section. Also please list any mathematics courses taken beyond calculus along with the year and the grade received. Do not list courses not taken for a grade.
Upload the relevant required documents here for your program of interest.
1. Résumé/CV: Provide a current résumé or curriculum vitae, which includes your education, employment history, awards and accolades, international exposure, publication credits, and leadership roles in any volunteer and/or extracurricular activities.
2. Statement of Purpose: Discuss your goals for graduate study and for your professional career. What experiences have most contributed to your desire to study international relations? How will this degree program serve to meet your academic and professional goals? This essay should be no more than 600 words in length.
3. Essay: Reflect on a personal, academic, or professional challenge that you have encountered in your journey towards pursuing a career in international relations. Describe the barriers you faced and how you overcame them. How has this experience shaped your passion for the field and reinforced your commitment to making a positive impact on the world? This essay should be no more than 600 words in length.
You are required to submit two letters of recommendation and have the option of submitting a third. Recommendations should be written by individuals well placed to discuss the applicant’s qualifications for graduate study and a career in international affairs.
Please note that Johns Hopkins SAIS will accept letters of recommendation only through our online application system or in hard copy directly from the recommender. Recommendations submitted via email or fax will not be accepted. Please list all your references in the "Recommendations" section, including recommenders who prefer to submit their letter in hard copy.
If your recommender prefers to submit a hard copy letter of recommendation, please advise them to mail to:
Johns Hopkins SAIS
Office of Admissions
555 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20001
All required fields must be completed before your application can be submitted. Required fields are designated by an asterisk.
To submit your application, click the button that reads “Finalize Application and Pay" (no application fee will be charged to SAIS Europe applicants).
Please note that you must complete all required fields in order to submit your application. Any missing fields will appear on the "Review" section. Prior to submission, please review all application sections to check for any errors or incorrect data.
After you have submitted your application, confirmation of your application status as “submitted” will appear on the online application dashboard. A checklist of all application materials will also be visible in order for you to track the status of supporting documents.
Additional Information
Applicants who wish to be considered for both the MAIR and MAGR programs must submit a separate application for each program, but supporting documentation (transcripts & recommendations) may be submitted only once. However, please note: there are separate essays for the MAIR and MAGR, which must be submitted with the corresponding application.
The Office of Admissions retains application files for one year after a decision is rendered. An applicant who applied for an academic year before last year is not considered a re-applicant, and must resubmit all application materials. Candidates who did apply last academic year do not have to resubmit all materials and can follow this checklist:
- Online application form
- Updated résumé/CV
- Re-applicant essay: How have you improved your candidacy since your last application? This essay should be no more than 1000 words in length.
- New transcripts: Transcript(s) of any additional courses you have taken since you last applied (include grades not finalized at the time of your last application).
- Recommendation letter: One new recommendation letter, preferably from your current employer. If you have already used your current employer for a recommendation, please choose someone else in a supervisory role or a client.
- Interview: SAIS Europe candidates applying to the MAIA, MAGR, MEPP, MIPP and Diploma are required to interview as part of the application process. You will be contacted by the SAIS Europe Office of Admissions after the application deadline to schedule an interview. For MAIR applicants, the interview is optional.
The Office of Admissions retains application files for one year after a decision is rendered. An applicant who applied for an academic year before last year is not considered a re-applicant, and must resubmit all application materials. Candidates who did apply last academic year do not have to resubmit all materials and can follow this checklist
- Online application form
- Updated résumé/CV
- Re-applicant essay: How have you improved your candidacy since your last application? This essay should be no more than 1000 words in length.
- New transcripts: Transcript(s) of any additional courses you have taken since you last applied (include grades not finalized at the time of your last application).
- Recommendation letter: One new recommendation letter, preferably from your current employer. If you have already used your current employer for a recommendation, please choose someone else in a supervisory role or a client.
- Interview: Optional interviews are available for applicants to the MAIR program. To sign up for an MAIR interview, please do so via the Johns Hopkins SAIS website.
Submission of Materials
We encourage applicants to submit materials as early as possible before the applicable deadline. You are responsible for making sure all supporting documents, including letters of recommendation and academic transcripts, are submitted on time. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
All applications and supporting documentation become the confidential property of the Office of Admissions and cannot be returned.