International Relations BA (International Honours)

The BA (International Honours) in International Relations will teach you to understand how major features of the international system operate as well as the major challenges it faces. You will learn to approach issues from different epistemological and methodological angles, and to relate your knowledge to issues including development, international political economies, environmental politics, human rights, and the various impacts of globalisation, among others.

The BA (International Honours) is a joint degree delivered by both the University of St Andrews and the College of William & Mary in Virginia, USA. This joint degree allows you to spend two years at each institution.

Entry requirements

The University offers different entry requirements, depending on your background. Find out more about Standard and Minimum entry requirements using academic entry explained and see which entry requirements you need to look at using the entry requirements indicator.

• Standard entry grades:

  AAAAB

  Minimum entry grades:

  AABB

• Standard entry grades:

  AAA

  Minimum entry grades:

  ABB

• Standard entry grades:

  38 (HL 6,6,6)

  Minimum entry grades:

  36 (HL 6,5,5)

General entry requirements

All applicants must have attained the following qualifications, or equivalent, in addition to the specific entry requirements for individual programmes.

• SQA National 5 (B) in English and one SQA National 5 (B) from the following:

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Computing science
  • Geography
  • Applications of Mathematics
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Psychology.

• GCSE (5) in English language or English literature, and one GCSE (5) from the following:

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Computing Science
  • Geography
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Psychology.

Other qualifications

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry on to our programmes. Please see our entry requirements for more information.

More information on how to apply via other entry routes or accreditation of prior learning and experience can be found on the University’s entry requirements web page.

Do I need to have studied this subject before?

No previous knowledge of this subject is required.

International applicants

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability.

Careers

Graduates have expertise in area studies including Africa, Europe and the Middle East; foreign policy; international organisations and regimes; peace and conflict studies; political theory; and terrorism and political violence. Therefore, they are well equipped for careers in:

• accountancy
• armed services
• banking and insurance
• foreign services
• international business
• law
• media, radio and television
• public services (civil service, local governments, public corporations, hospital management)
• research
• social services (childcare, youth employment, probation)

Career destinations for recent graduates from St Andrews include:

• Armed Forces
• BBC
• Crown Office and Fiscal Service
• East-West Institute
• Fleishman-Hillard
• Reid-Howe Associates
• The Scotsman newspaper
• UNESCO
• United Nations

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.