The bachelors of Arts international relations programme is a cross-national study approach that can help you add a global outlook to your undergraduate study. It helps you understand how the integration of cultures and customs into business, politics and society has created a great foundation for social harmony. This undergraduate programme on international relations will allow you to gain knowledge about the complex relationships among various institutions that are focused on international governance. Besides, it will also provide you with the ability to examine the dynamics, structural characteristics and find solutions to humanitarian issues of the global community.
  • The Bachelor of Arts International Relations distance learning programme requires students to complete a minimum of 128 credit hours consisting of:
    • A total of 42 credit hours in subjects related to History, Politics, & International Relations;
    • A study abroad residency term of eight weeks, outside the United States;
    • A total of 12 credit hours of advanced proficiency in an international language;
    • University Global Citizenship Program hours;
    • Electives.
    • Applicants should have completed a college preparatory secondary school program with at least 19 units of academic credit;
    • They must hold a class rank in the top 50 percent of their high school class;
    • They should possess a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale);
    • Students are also expected to have a minimum ACT composite score of 21 or an SAT score of 1000 (Evidence-Based Reading and Math combined)
    • International student applicants are required to submit a proof of their English language proficiency, which includes test scores of IELTS (academic) 6.0 or its equivalent.
  • The course curriculum of the BA International Relations syllabus comprises of a comprehensive set of modules. The BA International Relations subjects includes the following:
    • Introduction to International Relations (3 hours) – This section focuses on topics such as human rights, global poverty, the environment, economics, globalization, international security, global ethics and the political environment of the world.
    • Introduction to Political Theory (3 hours)
      or International Relations Theory (3 hours)       – By studying this unit, students will be able to enhance their knowledge of international politics, including the concepts of international political theory and the historical contexts associated with them.
    • Introduction to Comparative Politics (3 hours)
      or Introduction to American Politics (3 hours)
      or Politics in the Industrialized World (3 hours)
      or The Politics of the Developing World (3 hours)       – This module will allow students to gain the ability to make systemic comparisons of worldwide politics. Students will get familiarised with a wide range of topics such as comparative governmental institutions, political organizations, political economies and political behaviour. 
    • Methods of Political Inquiry (3 hours)
      or Research Methods and Approaches in Political Science (3 hours)       – This section teaches students about the deductive, quantitative and historical techniques used in empirical inquiry in political science, emphasising on the methods of measurement, comparison and the construction of empirical and theoretical models of political phenomena.
    • The World System since 1500 (3 hours) – This course module gives students an overview of the world history of the global population as well as the social changes occurring across various countries.
    • A 2000-level or above HIST course with an international focus (3 hours)
    Three of the following sub-field courses (9 hours):
    • International Law (3 hours) – In this section, students will get to learn about the different types of international issues, such as human rights, disarmament, international crime, refugees, migration, problems of nationality, imprisonment policies, the use of force and the conduct of war.
    • International Political Economy (3 hours) – This will help students gain an in-depth understanding of international and global problems by employing interdisciplinary tools and theoretical perspectives.
    • Conduct of Foreign Policy (3 hours) – This unit is based on foreign policy analysis that comprises of a set of strategies that can be employed by countries to interact with one another.
    • International Security (3 hours) – This section addresses the topics related to war and peace, with emphasis on the importance of environmental, demographic, humanitarian issues and the rise of global terrorist networks.
    • Environmental and Energy Security (3 hours) – This module teaches students about long-term international energy security, which primarily involves timely investments to supply energy that is in line with the economic developments and sustainable environmental needs of a particular region.
    • International Organizations: Structure and Political Conflict (3 hours) – This unit introduces students to the various international entities that function across the world, with the purpose to prevent wars among nations and maintain peace.
    • Research Requirement, taken in combination with a designated 3000-level or 4000-level course (0 hours) 
    • Senior Overview (0-1 hours)
    • Electives − The electives are based on 15 credit hours, 9 of which must be studied with an international focus.
    Note: Students who are willing to pursue this bachelor’s degree can choose from any of the flowing two emphases, based on their area of interest with:
    • Emphasis in International Economics (48 hours);
    • Emphasis in Migration and Refugee Studies (48 hours).

  • The academic fees for pursuing this undergraduate programme can cost up to $1,14,000.

    * We also offer scholarships

Why opt for a BA in International Relations?

Choosing a BA International Relations degree as your undergraduate course can help you acquire the ability to gather, organise and present information and data from a variety of sources. You will also gain the ability to critically analyse information in order to find possible solutions to problems or issues and gain proficiency in using technology to research and present information and data. It provides students with an in-depth understanding of political awareness, economic understanding, cultural competency and global citizenship, which is essential for them to better analyse this interconnected world.

Who should apply for a BA in International Relations?

The BA International Relations degree is designed for students who are interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the global economy on a micro and macro scale. If you are interested in obtaining real-time knowledge of migration and displacement issues and the sociocultural, political and economic forces that they encounter on a regular basis, then this course is a right fit for you.  It can help you develop the skills that are required to understand the strategic methods employed by the organisations, who are the pillar to sustaining global relationships among all nations.

Scope and future after completing BA in International Relations

With a BA International Relations degree under your belt, you can choose from a wide range of career areas in the commercial, public and charity sectors. The typical employers who hire graduates in international relations include:

  • International Government Organisations (IGOs), like the UN, UNICEF and The World Bank;

  • Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), like Oxfam, Greenpeace and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF);

  • Charities;

  • Local and national government;

  • Media companies

  • Law firms

  • Banks

  • International businesses.

Besides gaining employment opportunities in the public services and administration sector, charity and voluntary work, graduates can also apply for jobs in the Department for International Trade and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office. You can also choose to study for further qualifications such as a master’s course in international relations. It will also give you the opportunity to gain specialisation in areas such as security studies, diplomacy and global governance, as well as choose vocational career paths into industries such as teaching, journalism or human resources.

Career prospects after pursuing a BA International Relations

A bachelor’s degree in International relations is considered a diverse programme as it can allow you to investigate the complexities of relationships between different countries. Furthermore, it will instil in you the ability to apply this understanding to the global business sector. Here are some of the BA International Relations jobs that are associated with this degree:

  • Diplomatic Service Officer – Diplomatic service officers are typically hired to work for the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) to protect and promote interests of the citizens and support businesses throughout the world. They specialise in dealing with diplomatic issues involving foreign policy and service delivery overseas. They are expected to possess the ability to influence international and diplomatic development and handle matters of conflict resolution, counter-terrorism, trade and investment, forced settlements, human rights and the climate change.

  • Government Social Research Officer – Government social research officers employ the techniques acquired through their educational degree to influence the policies affecting the citizens. They specialise in providing research to aid the analysis and decision making of ministers, which are associated with developing, implementing and evaluating new and existing government policies. They are responsible for conducting research and analysis of policy, as well as commissioning and managing issues based on the research outcomes.

  • Intelligence Analyst – Intelligence analysts are typically responsible for gathering, analysing and evaluating information from a variety of sources.  These sources can be law enforcement databases, surveillance, intelligence networks or geographic information systems. They specialise in employing intelligence data to anticipate and prevent organized crime activities, like terrorism. Their day-to-day responsibilities include designing, using and maintaining databases and software applications. The software applications typically handled by intelligence analysts include geographic information systems (GIS) mapping and artificial intelligence tools.

  • International aid or development worker − International aid or development workers are typically hired by charities, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), international aid agencies and volunteer groups. These professionals perform a range of different functions, including hands-on relief work, fundraising and project planning and management. They are primarily responsible for providing aid and assistance to people in locations in different parts of the world, covering all kinds of issues such as:

  • Healthcare;

  • Sanitation;

  • Housing;

  • Education;

  • Construction;

  • Agriculture;

  • Industrial development;

  • Human rights;

  • Sustainability;

  • Relief from natural disasters.