BA (Hons) International Affairs

Understand global politics, diplomacy, and security

Online only

3 years full-time360 creditsEnglish

Begin your application Explore programme

Overview

International Affairs at AFU examines how states, institutions, and non-state actors shape world order. You will analyse conflict, cooperation, human rights, and economic diplomacy through historical and contemporary lenses. Debate-style seminars develop argumentation skills; research methods training prepares you for policy briefs and dissertation work. Edinburgh's diplomatic community provides guest lectures and networking opportunities throughout the programme.

Model United Nations and crisis simulation weekends are embedded in Years 2 and 3.

Who This Programme Is For

Students interested in diplomacy, NGOs, or government
Debaters and writers passionate about global issues
Future postgraduate researchers in political science

Faculty spotlight

Professor Elena Vasquez researches EU governance; Dr. Marcus Chen specialises in Indo-Pacific security.

How you can study

Digital only

Study online

100% tuition-free online

Every programme can be completed fully online with zero tuition fees — study from anywhere in the world.

✦ Tuition: £0 / $0
✦ Course exams from $45 — 95% sponsorship rate
✦ Learn from anywhere · Live online seminars

Apply online →

What You Will Learn

Critically assess theories of international relations and foreign policy
Draft policy briefs for governmental and NGO audiences
Evaluate humanitarian and development interventions
Present research findings in academic and public forums

Curriculum

Year 1

Code	Course	Credits
IA101	Introduction to IR Theory Introduction to IR Theory — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Introduction to IR Theory Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
IA102	Global History since 1945 Global History since 1945 — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Global History since 1945 Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
IA103	Political Economy Political Economy — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Political Economy Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
IA104	Research & Writing Skills Research & Writing Skills — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Research & Writing Skills Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20

Year 2

Code	Course	Credits
IA201	Security Studies Security Studies — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Security Studies Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
IA202	International Organisations International Organisations — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in International Organisations Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
IA203	Human Rights & Development Human Rights & Development — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Human Rights & Development Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
IA204	Foreign Policy Analysis Foreign Policy Analysis — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Foreign Policy Analysis Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20

Year 3

Code

Course

Credits

IA301

Diplomacy & Negotiation

Diplomacy & Negotiation — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway.

Core concepts and frameworks in Diplomacy & Negotiation
Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases
Methods, tools, and professional standards
Ethics, risk, and responsible practice
Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project

IA302

Honours Dissertation

Honours Dissertation — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway.

Core concepts and frameworks in Honours Dissertation
Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases
Methods, tools, and professional standards
Ethics, risk, and responsible practice
Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project

Career Paths

Policy Officer
Diplomatic Service Trainee
NGO Programme Officer
Journalist
Think Tank Researcher

Programme Highlights

Crisis simulation and Model UN weekends
Guest speakers from diplomatic corps and NGOs
Dissertation supervision by published IR scholars
Pathway to MA International Relations

Admission Requirements

A-levels BBB (or equivalent) in relevant subjects, or an Access to HE Diploma with Merit profile
International Baccalaureate 28 points, or high school diploma with GPA 3.0/4.0 minimum
Personal statement (400–600 words) explaining your academic interests and career goals
One academic reference from a teacher, tutor, or school counsellor
English proficiency: IELTS 5.5, TOEFL 46, or equivalent (waived for prior English-medium study)
Optional: portfolio or interview for creative and professional programmes

Recognised & Accredited

Ready to begin?BA (Hons) International Affairs

Apply now

Loading…

Overview

Model United Nations and crisis simulation weekends are embedded in Years 2 and 3.

Curriculum

Year 1

Code	Course	Credits
IA101	Introduction to IR Theory Introduction to IR Theory — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Introduction to IR Theory Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
IA102	Global History since 1945 Global History since 1945 — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Global History since 1945 Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
IA103	Political Economy Political Economy — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Political Economy Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
IA104	Research & Writing Skills Research & Writing Skills — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Research & Writing Skills Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20

Year 2

Code	Course	Credits
IA201	Security Studies Security Studies — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Security Studies Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
IA202	International Organisations International Organisations — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in International Organisations Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
IA203	Human Rights & Development Human Rights & Development — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Human Rights & Development Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
IA204	Foreign Policy Analysis Foreign Policy Analysis — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Foreign Policy Analysis Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20

Year 3

Code

Course

Credits

IA301

Diplomacy & Negotiation

Diplomacy & Negotiation — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway.

Core concepts and frameworks in Diplomacy & Negotiation
Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases
Methods, tools, and professional standards
Ethics, risk, and responsible practice
Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project

IA302

Honours Dissertation

Honours Dissertation — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway.

Core concepts and frameworks in Honours Dissertation
Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases
Methods, tools, and professional standards
Ethics, risk, and responsible practice
Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project

Admission Requirements

A-levels BBB (or equivalent) in relevant subjects, or an Access to HE Diploma with Merit profile

International Baccalaureate 28 points, or high school diploma with GPA 3.0/4.0 minimum

Personal statement (400–600 words) explaining your academic interests and career goals

One academic reference from a teacher, tutor, or school counsellor

English proficiency: IELTS 5.5, TOEFL 46, or equivalent (waived for prior English-medium study)

Optional: portfolio or interview for creative and professional programmes

Recognised & Accredited