Bachelor's Programme in International Relations

The aim of the programme is to offer students a valuable and attractive education in the field of international relations. The programme offers both a broad and specialised social sciences education with a clear global/international focus. Our increasingly globalised world requires both workers and citizens with knowledge and understanding of global issues and challenges. The Bachelor's programme in International Relations aims to equip students with the ability and skills to analyse international events and the structure of the international system; its institutions, actors, laws and regulatory frameworks; how the international relations are transformed and global power relations are changed.

The programme has a distinct analytical approach and is grounded in theoretical and methodological pluralism, where a variety of theoretical perspectives are discussed and set against each other. The educational profile of the programme is characterised by exercises to interpret and use qualitative and quantitative data, to formulate problems, analyse and produce text. The programme focuses on teaching students skills critical to a labour market directed towards international questions, including independent critical thinking.

This programme leads to a Degree of Bachelor of Science with a major in International Relations (Filosofie kandidatexamen med huvudområdet Internationella relationer).

The programme is given as full-time studies and has the following program structure: The first year of the programme cover compulsory core courses and advanced courses in international relations. During the third semester, the student takes programme-specific courses. Term four consists of skills courses in the form of a method course and a project management course. This is followed by a semester during which the student may freely choose and apply to 30 credits of courses at the bachelors level (these courses are subject to availability and their own admission requirements). Students will be given advice on course selection. The sixth and final semester consists of two courses combining theory with practical application in foreign policy and diplomacy as well as conflict resolution. This is followed by the final thesis. The students' learning process and progression in social scientific analysis takes place throughout the programme.

Program structure

Year 1

Semester 1

1:1 Introduction to International relations, 15 credits (core course)

1:2 Problems and issues in International relations, 15 credits (core course)

Semester 2

1:3 War, peace and security, 15 credits (advanced course)

1:4 Global political economy, 15 credits (advanced course)

Year 2

Semester 3

2:1a Advanced studies in security and war, 7,5 credits (programme-specific advanced course)

2:1b Advanced studies in global political economy, 7,5 credits (programme-specific advanced course)

2:2a Global and regional governance, 7,5 credits (programme-specific advanced course)

2:2b Global political theory, 7,5 credits (programme-specific advanced course)

Semester 4

2:3 Methodology in Global studies, 15 credits (skills course)

2:4 Project Management and evaluation, 15 credits (skills course)

Year 3

Semester 5

3:1-3:2 Optional courses, 30 credits

Semester 6

3:3a Foreign policy and diplomacy, 7,5 credits (programme-specific advanced course)

3:3b International Conflict Transformation, 7,5 credits (programme-specific advanced course)

3:4 International relations: Thesis, 15 credits (advanced course)

General outcomes for Degree of Bachelor

Knowledge and understanding

For a Degree of Bachelor the student shall

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including knowledge of the disciplinary foundation of the field, knowledge of applicable methodologies in the field, specialised study in some aspect of the field as well as awareness of current research issues. 

Competence and skills

For a Degree of Bachelor the student shall

• demonstrate the ability to search for, gather, evaluate and critically interpret the relevant information for a formulated problem and also discuss phenomena, issues and situations critically 
• demonstrate the ability to identify, formulate and solve problems autonomously and to complete tasks within predetermined time frames 
• demonstrate the ability to present and discuss information, problems and solutions in speech and writing and in dialogue with different audiences, and 
• demonstrate the skills required to work autonomously in the main field of study. 

Judgement and approach

For a Degree of Bachelor the student shall

• demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical issues 
• demonstrate insight into the role of knowledge in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
• demonstrate the ability to identify the need for further knowledge and ongoing learning.

Students who have completed the core, continuation or in-depth courses are able to apply to latter part of programme. Decision are made in accordance with local admission regulations at the University of Gothenburg.

The study programme will be followed up and evaluated in accordance with the applicable Policy for the Quality Assurance and Continuous Quality Improvement of Education at the University of Gothenburg (Policy för kvalitetssäkring och kvalitetsutveckling av utbildning vid Göteborgs universitet).

Any travel and other additional costs associated with internships and thesis work are normally covered by the students themselves.

The programme is taught in English. The opportunity to be examined in Swedish must be ensured.

Students who follow the programme at the prescribed pace are generally guaranteed a place in the programme's compulsory and programme-specific courses of the programme. During the optional semester of the programme, the student has no guaranteed admission to freestanding courses.