The undergraduate programme in International Relations offers you an academic perspective on the liaison between countries, and how bureaucratic decisions by hegemonic countries and the intervening action of administrative boards, state officials and elected representatives create a complex web of intercountry relations. During the course we will provide you with a coherent and clear image of how Western, European and Non-European countries coalesce, ranging from topics such as understanding foreign policy of USA and international economics, to international relations since 1919 and conflict resolution, to name a few. In your final year of studies, you may have the chance to carry out a research-based dissertation of your choice. We also encourage you to participate in our Erasmus+ mobility programme, as we believe a multicultural perspective will provide a holistic academic journey.

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Applicants must satisfy the General Entry Requirements for admission, namely, the Matriculation Certificate and Secondary Education Certificate passes at Grade 5 or better in Maltese, English Language and Mathematics.

Applicants must also satisfy the following Special Course Requirements:

A pass at Grade C or better at Advanced Level in either History or Economics or Arabic or French or German or Russian or Spanish or a pass in Chinese obtained in the Chinese University/College Entrance Examination (Gaokao).

Applicants are also required to satisfy the special course requirements for the other area of study which may be chosen from the following:

American Studies, Anthropology, Archaeology, Classics, Communication Studies, Comparative Religion, Contemporary Mediterranean Studies, Dance Studies, Economics, English, European and Global History, Fine Arts, French, Geography, German, Greek, History, History of Art, Italian, Knowledge and Information Management, Language Technology, Latin, Linguistics, Maltese, Mediterranean Studies, Music Studies, Oriental Studies (Arabic), Oriental Studies (Chinese), Oriental Studies (Hebrew), Oriental Studies (Near Eastern Studies), Philosophy, Psychology, Social Studies, Sociology, Spanish and Latin American Studies, Theatre Studies and any other area of study recommended by the Board and approved by Senate.

The areas of study offered and the combinations that may and may not be chosen together are available here.

The special course requirements for the above areas are as follows:

(a) for Economics, English, French, German, Italian, Maltese, a pass at Grade C or better at Advanced Matriculation Level, or equivalent, in the subject

(b) for Sociology either as a Main area of study or as a Subsidiary area of study, a pass at Advanced Matriculation level, or equivalent, in any of the following subjects: Sociology, Philosophy, Geography, Economics, History, Home Economics and Human Ecology, Information Technology, Marketing, Religious Knowledge, Theatre and Performance

(c) for Spanish and Latin American Studies either as a Main Area of study or as a Subsidiary area of study, a pass at Grade C or better at Advanced Matriculation Level, or equivalent, in Spanish

(d) for Communication Studies either as a Main area of study or as a Subsidiary area of study, a pass at Intermediate Matriculation Level in English Language, or its equivalent

(e) for History, and European and Global History either as a Main area of study or as a Subsidiary area of study, a pass at Advanced Matriculation Level, or equivalent, in History

(f) for Fine Arts, applicants are required to submit a portfolio which shall be assessed during an interview held by an interviewing board, which shall be composed of at least three members. Applicants who are unsuccessful in the interview shall not be admitted to the Course

(g) for Music Studies either as a Main area of study or as a Subsidiary area of study, undertake an interview and an audition, applicants with a pass at Grade C or better at Intermediate Matriculation Level or higher in Music shall be exempt from both the interview and the audition

(h) for Dance Studies, applicants are required to complete an interview and an audition. Applicants are also required to submit a completed medical fitness form. Those applicants who are unable to attend the interview and dance audition in person, may arrange to complete the process through electronic means of communication

Applicants in terms of the 'maturity (adult learners) clause' are required to sit for an interview, held on a date which will be announced in due course. Once announced, this date cannot be changed. The closing date for receipt of applications from applicants in terms of the 'maturity (adult learners) clause' is 24 August 2021 at 2pm. The closing date for other applicants is 30 September 2021.

Applicants may also be required to submit a Learning Portfolio. Further information about the Portfolio will be forwarded to applicants.

At the end of the first year of the Course, students shall be required to choose between the B.A. (Hons) and the B.A. degrees. Students shall be allowed to proceed to the B.A. (Hons) degree (except in the areas of study listed under paragraph (2) of bye-law 3 of the bye-laws for the course) if at the end of the first year of study they obtain a minimum average mark of 65% in the chosen area of study.

Students who obtain the 65% minimum average mark in the area of study chosen for the Honours Course but lack up to 12 credits for any compulsory study-units in this area of study may be allowed to proceed conditionally to Year II of the B.A. (Hons) Course, provided that they successfully complete the failed compulsory unit/s during the following year.

Students who wish to proceed to the B.A. (Hons) course in a successfully completed area of study, but do not possess the necessary average mark of 65% in that area of study (as required by paragraph (1) of bye-law 8 of the bye-laws for the course) may be allowed by the Board to follow the first year programme (without exemptions) in that area in an additional year of study in order to try and obtain the required average mark. This provision may be availed of once only during the Course.

The admission requirements are applicable for courses commencing in October 2021.

For more detailed information pertaining to admission and progression requirements please refer to the bye-laws for the course available here.

UM currently hosts over 1,000 full-time international students and over 450 visiting students. The ever-increasing international students coming from various countries, in recent years, have transformed this 400-year old institution into an international campus.

Our international students generally describe Malta as a safe place, enjoying excellent weather and an all-year varied cultural programme. Malta is considered as the ideal place for students to study.

You can compare your national qualifications to the local requirements by visiting our qualifications comparability webpage.

Access more information about our admission process and English language requirements.

After you receive an offer from us, our International Office will assist you with visas, accommodation and other related issues.

Local/EU/EEA Applicants:	No fees apply
Non-EU/Non-EEA Applicants:	Fee per academic year: Eur 8,500

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Carry out and conduct critical academic research in a professional manner as expected at an undergraduate level.
• Have a familiarised knowledge about theories and concepts of international relations and apply them to contemporary world affairs.
• Develop a keen sense of awareness through your refined interpretation of reading news and international events.
• Contribute your invaluable knowledge on the subject matter to interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary discursive atmospheres.
• Understand the interweaving relationship and personal ethics present between the contingent relationship of individual decisions and national results.

If you are interested in societal and political agendas of countries on a broad and globalising manner, then this is the ideal course for you to learn about international relations.

As a graduate of this programme of study you will be employable, both locally and internationally, as an intelligence analyst, policy office political risk analyst, international aid worker, public affairs consultant, diplomatic service officer and as a civil service fast streamer. If you would like to further your studies, or are considering an academic profession, then we encourage you to enrol in one of our local post-graduate courses.

Students who wish to participate in an ERASMUS exchange are encouraged to do so during the second semester of the second year of the course.

Click here to access the Programme of Study applicable from 2021/2.