Bachelor's Programme in International Relations
Summary
Are you interested in the contemporary global challenges we face? Do you seek deeper knowledge on issues such as war, peacebuilding, climate justice? At the Bachelor's Programme in International Relations, you learn about international conditions and relationships, and gain skills to analyse, investigate and evaluate issues related to global challenges. The programme gives you an understanding of how global politics and international relations are organized and structured.
About
Global contexts, processes and institutions are playing a more important role in working life as a whole and for people's everyday lives. In our globalized world, international relations are reshaped and power relations are complex and shifting, and the demand for professionals with knowledge of global issues and competence to analyse international events have increased.
The Bachelor's Programme in International Relations give you skills to analyse, investigate and evaluate issues related to international conflicts and collaborations. You get to know different theoretical perspectives and how they bring varied understandings and analysis.
The programme gives you specific knowledge on:
- war, conflict and security;
- peacebuilding;
- global political economy;
- interventions in order to end armed conflict;
- migration and sustainability;
- structure of the international system;
- complex and shifting power relations;
- multilateral organizations and world regions;
- political theory originating in different schools of thought as well as in different world regions;
- and the impact of climate change as well as new technologies on international relations.
Gender equality perspective
The programme has a focus on gender equality issues related to international relations, and different perspectives on gender and gender equality will permeate all courses. All courses also include lectures and themes that explicitly relate to gender and how it interacts with other power relations such as class, disabilities, race, religion, sexuality, etc.
Sustainability and international relations
The critical approaches and reflective perspectives of the programme contribute to the ability to better address difficult and socially controversial issues regarding how sustainability issues should be handled. At the programme, you get in-depth knowledge on peaceful and inclusive societies, the connection between all the goals in the Sustainable Development Agenda, and the connection between climate change, social vulnerability and conflict. Through knowledge of the international system and how multilateral cooperation works, you are provided with tools to understand and manage sustainability issues in practice.
Programme structure and content
The introductory and in-depth courses during the first year, provide you with different theories and perspectives on international relations as well as knowledge on pressing global issues. You learn about the global political economy and how war and security affect international relations and what tools the international system has to manage and end international armed conflicts.
During your second year, you develop a deeper understanding through advanced courses and attend proficiency courses to prepare you for the labour market.
During the third year's autumn semester, you apply to optional courses of your choice, or apply for exchange studies. The spring semester offers unique courses on foreign policy and diplomacy and in conflict resolution. You complete your studies in the programme by writing your thesis guided by a supervisor.
Ongoing research is given space in the program, and the programme balances traditional concepts with the latest research findings and perspectives, especially from the global south.
Who should apply?
Apply for the Bachelor’s Programme in International Relations if you are interested in global challenges, equality, justice and sustainability issues, if you seek deeper knowledge on the shifting power relations, and if want to develop skills to analyse issues related to international conflicts and peacebuilding.
Prerequisites and selection
Requirements
General entrance requirements
Special instructions for application
First application round for non-Swedish applicants
Mid-October – mid-January
Non-Swedish applicants are:
- EEA students (EU Member States and Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein)
- non-EEA students who require a visa to Sweden
EEA students or non-EEA students apply at www.universityadmissions.se. Do not forget to pay the application fee. Application fee does not apply for EU/EEA citizens or exchange students.
Non EU citizens need to apply for a visa to Sweden.
Second application round for Swedish and EEA applicants
Mid-March – mid-April
This application period is open for:
- Swedish students
- EEA students (EU Member States and Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein)
Swedish students or EEA students apply at www.antagning.se (in Swedish) or www.universityadmissions.se (in English). Application fee does not apply for EU/EEA citizens or exchange students.
Selection
Selection is based upon your average grade from upper secondary school (66 %) and Högskoleprovet - Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test (33 %)
After graduation
After graduation, you are eligible for studies at the master’s level, in Sweden and internationally.
The programme gives you specialized and in-depth knowledge of international relations as well as comprehensive knowledge within social sciences.
You will acquire the skills for professional work in organizations that focus on peace, security, conflicts, political economy, global governance, cooperation, and the global multilateral system (from the UN to the EU). You can work with analysis and evaluation in public administration and decision-making at both local, national, and international levels, in non-profit organizations and in the private sector.
The programme also lays a solid foundation for future doctoral studies within Peace and Development Studies (after the completion of a master’s degree).
Facilities
Teaching at the School of Global Studies is held at Annedalseminariet in central Gothenburg. Our facilities are technically well-equipped and we offer teaching in gallery seated lecture halls and in smaller rooms for seminars or group sessions. In our facilities, you also find group rooms and study places that you may use both on weekdays and weekends. Annedalseminariet is accessible with an elevator, orientation signs in Braille, a ramp at the entrance door, accessible WC, and automatic door openers. Tram and bus stops are in close proximity. The Social Sciences Library, where you find your course literature, is found within a 10-minute walk, and in the surrounding areas, Linnéstaden and Haga, there are plenty of cafés and vibrant student life.
Exchange opportunities
While studying the Bachelor’s Programme in International Relations you can apply for exchange studies during the fall semester in the third year. If exchange studies are granted, you will get international experience while growing as a person, and making yourself more attractive on the job market. Additionally you will make new friends that also will be great contacts in the future. You will for sure return to Gothenburg with renewed energy.
As an exchange student you study part of the programme at a university abroad that the University of Gothenburg has an exchange agreement with. You don’t have to pay extra tuition fees at the exchange university and you can apply for grants. If you are entitled to study finance support fom CSN you will retain it while on exchange.
