BA International Relations

What this degree is

BA International Relations (IR) is an undergraduate degree that studies how states, international organisations, non-governmental actors, and global forces interact across national borders. It examines the political, economic, legal, and historical dimensions of the global system — from war and diplomacy to trade agreements, human rights regimes, and climate negotiations.

IR as a standalone undergraduate degree is more commonly found at global universities than in India. This is an important contextual point for Indian students to understand: in India, most BA programmes in the social sciences at central universities and DU-affiliated colleges integrate international relations content within BA Political Science (Honours) rather than offering it as a separate degree. Dedicated BA (Hons) International Relations at the undergraduate level in India is primarily found at private universities — most notably O.P. Jindal Global University’s Jindal School of International Affairs (JSIA), Shiv Nadar University, and FLAME University’s International Studies major.

This structure means that students interested in IR in India face a choice: a broad BA Political Science at a central university that includes IR content, or a dedicated IR or global affairs programme at a private institution. The dedicated programmes typically embed IR within a four-year residential, interdisciplinary structure — substantially different in character from the DU Honours model.

Globally, IR is a well-established undergraduate discipline in its own right. LSE’s BSc International Relations is among the oldest and most recognised programmes in the world, while Sciences Po in Paris and Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service in Washington, DC have defined much of what undergraduate IR education means internationally.

What students actually study

A BA International Relations curriculum draws on several disciplines — principally political science, history, economics, and law — to explain how the international system works and how it changes.

International Relations theory. The theoretical frameworks of IR — Realism, Liberalism, Constructivism, Marxism, Postcolonialism, and Critical Theory — provide competing accounts of why states behave as they do, how international institutions form, and whether war or cooperation is the more natural condition of world politics. At LSE, the compulsory Year 1 course International Relations: Theories, Concepts and Debates introduces this theoretical landscape. At Jindal’s JSIA, Introduction to IR Theory and Advanced IR Theory run in Years 2 and 3.

History of the international system. IR is grounded in history. Students typically study major turning points: the Westphalian settlement and the emergence of the modern state system, colonialism and decolonisation, the two World Wars, the Cold War and its end, and the post-1991 international order. At LSE, Year 1 students choose between Empires and Resistance in Global History and International Politics since 1914: Peace and War. At Jindal, Making of the Modern World: Revolutions, Empires and War and Contemporary World History are core Year 1 courses.

Foreign policy and comparative politics. How do states decide their foreign policies? What role do leaders, bureaucracies, domestic politics, and public opinion play? Foreign Policy Analysis is typically a core course in Years 2-3. At Jindal JSIA, the Year 2 curriculum includes Foreign Policy Analysis, Indian Foreign Policy, and Comparative Politics. At LSE, Foreign Policy Analysis I is among the five options in Year 2, alongside International Security, International Political Economy, International Organisations, and International Political Theory.

International security. War, deterrence, nuclear strategy, terrorism, peacekeeping, and conflict resolution. This field has expanded to include non-traditional security threats — climate security, cyber warfare, pandemics, and transnational crime. International Security is a core option at LSE. At Jindal, the specialisation track in Defence and National Security Studies covers maritime policies, national security strategy, and non-contact warfare.

International political economy (IPE). The interaction of politics and economics at the global level: trade regimes (WTO), international finance (IMF, World Bank), multinational corporations, development finance, and political economy of globalisation. At LSE, International Political Economy is among the compulsory Year 2 options. At Jindal, Understanding Geoeconomics and Geopolitics and Institutions and Economic Development are Year 3 core courses.

International law and organisations. The legal frameworks that structure global order — international treaties, customary law, the UN Charter, international humanitarian law, and international human rights law. The role of intergovernmental organisations such as the UN, NATO, the WTO, ASEAN, and the African Union is a core area of study.

Typical curriculum and specialisations

Year 1–2 (Foundation)	Year 3–4 (Advanced / Electives)
Introduction to Political Science	Foreign Policy Analysis
Making of the Modern World: Revolutions, Empires and War	Indian Foreign Policy
Principles of Microeconomics and Macroeconomics	Introduction to Diplomatic Practice
Political Theory: Concepts and Practice	Conflict Management and Peace Negotiations
Contemporary World History	Understanding Geoeconomics and Geopolitics
Introduction to IR Theory	Institutions and Economic Development
Comparative Politics	Political Risk Analysis
International Security	Specialisation electives (Peace and Conflict, Defence, Human Rights, etc.)
International Organizations	Research Dissertation (Honours with Research track)
Sociology	Compulsory foreign language (advanced level)

In India — Jindal School of International Affairs (JSIA), O.P. Jindal Global University:

JSIA’s BA (Hons) in Global Affairs is India’s most well-structured dedicated undergraduate IR programme. It is a four-year, eight-semester residential degree totalling approximately 206 credits. The curriculum is explicitly interdisciplinary and practical.

Year 1 core courses include Introduction to Political Science, Making of the Modern World: Revolutions, Empires and War, Principles of Microeconomics and Macroeconomics, Political Theory: Concepts and Practice, Contemporary World History, Foundations of Political Psychology, History of Political Thought, and Sociology. A compulsory foreign language (Spanish, German, French, or Mandarin) runs through all four years. Four mandatory internships are embedded in Years 1 and 2.

Year 2 focuses on IR proper: Introduction to IR Theory, Comparative Politics, Foreign Policy Analysis, Indian Foreign Policy, International Security, Advanced IR Theory, and International Organizations. Research methods (statistical and qualitative) are introduced in Year 2.

Year 3 covers applied and advanced topics: Sociology of Development Studies, Understanding Geoeconomics and Geopolitics, Introduction to Diplomatic Practice, Conflict Management and Peace Negotiations, Institutions and Economic Development, World News from Multiple Perspectives, and Political Risk Analysis. Electives begin to dominate.

Years 3-4 include specialisation clusters: students can pursue a recognised specialisation by completing three electives in one of five clusters — Peace and Conflict Studies; Economics and Foreign Policy; Defence and National Security Studies; Human Rights and International Development; and Global South Studies. A research dissertation is available in the Honours with Research track.

In India — Shiv Nadar University:

Shiv Nadar University’s Department of International Studies and Governance Studies offers a BA (Research) in International Relations — a four-year degree within the liberal arts structure of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Year 1 courses include Introduction to International Relations, Global History and International Relations, and India in World Affairs. The degree concludes with an independent research thesis.

In India — FLAME University:

FLAME offers International Studies as a BA major (and Hons) within its broader liberal arts and sciences framework. The International Studies major covers global politics, area studies, comparative politics, and foreign policy, with the flexibility to combine it with other FLAME majors or minors.

Globally — LSE, UK:

LSE’s BSc International Relations is a three-year programme with 12 units of study. Year 1 requires the two core IR courses (International Relations: Theories, Concepts and Debates and Contemporary Issues in International Relations), plus a history course and an outside option. A non-assessed course, Thinking Globally: Studying International Relations, is also required. Year 2 requires three IR options from five (International Political Theory, Foreign Policy Analysis I, International Organisations, International Security, International Political Economy), plus a further unit. Year 3 is composed of four IR options from an advanced list, which includes courses on strategic studies, genocide, Southeast Asian security, Middle East politics, American grand strategy, China and the Global South, the politics of displacement, decolonisation, transitional justice, and critical war studies. Students can complete an IR dissertation in Year 3.

A language specialism can be added to the degree certificate if one language course is taken per year.

Internationally — Sciences Po, Paris:

Sciences Po’s undergraduate programme (the Collège Universitaire) is structured as a three-year interdisciplinary degree, with the first two years on a regional campus followed by a final year in Paris. The curriculum integrates history, economics, political science, sociology, and law with a focus on global and European affairs. Sciences Po is one of the most internationally oriented undergraduate institutions in the world, and its alumni network in European and international institutions is exceptionally strong.

Internationally — Georgetown School of Foreign Service (SFS), USA:

The SFS at Georgetown offers a four-year BS in Foreign Service. Students take a core curriculum that includes economics, history, philosophy, writing, and international politics, before choosing one of five regional or thematic majors: International Politics, International Economics, Regional and Comparative Studies, Culture and Politics, or Science, Technology and International Affairs. The SFS is tightly linked to Washington, DC’s policy and diplomatic community.

Skills this degree builds

Analytical and theoretical literacy. IR students learn to apply competing frameworks — Realism, Liberalism, Constructivism, postcolonialism — to real-world situations. This theoretical fluency is valuable in any role requiring understanding of complex geopolitical dynamics.

Research and evidence-based argumentation. Both quantitative (statistical, survey) and qualitative (case study, discourse analysis, archival) research methods are taught. Students learn to construct policy briefs, analytical memos, and research papers.

Foreign language proficiency. Dedicated IR programmes — notably Jindal, Sciences Po, and Georgetown — embed foreign language learning throughout the degree. Graduating with proficiency in Spanish, French, Mandarin, or Arabic substantially expands career options in diplomacy, multilateral institutions, and international business.

Cross-cultural and geopolitical awareness. Students develop fluency in the politics, history, and social dynamics of different world regions. This is directly applicable in multinational companies, development organisations, think tanks, and diplomatic services.

Negotiation and diplomatic communication. At institutions that emphasise practice — Jindal, Sciences Po, Georgetown — students engage in simulations, model UN exercises, and fieldwork that build practical diplomatic skills.

Quantitative and data literacy. At Jindal, Introduction to Statistics and Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods are compulsory in Year 2. At LSE, students can complement IR with economics and data science courses.

Who should consider this degree

BA International Relations suits students who:

• Are genuinely interested in world politics, global governance, and international history — not just current affairs but the structural forces that shape them
• Want a degree that combines social science rigour with practical relevance in diplomacy, development, policy, and international business
• Are interested in pursuing careers in the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), multilateral organisations, think tanks, or international NGOs
• Want to combine strong analytical training with foreign language acquisition
• Are open to interdisciplinary study that draws on political science, economics, history, and law simultaneously

Students who are primarily interested in Indian domestic politics and governance may find BA Political Science a more direct fit. Students interested primarily in the economic dimensions of globalisation may find BA Economics or BA Political Science with an IPE concentration more suitable.

The degree is also a strong foundation for students who know they want postgraduate study — whether an MA in International Relations, an MPP, a law degree, or an MBA — and want a broad social science undergraduate background.

• This degree may not suit you if your interest in international affairs is primarily journalistic or current-events-focused without deeper engagement with theory, history, and institutions — IR is an academic discipline requiring sustained engagement with structural and theoretical questions
• Consider other options if you want a degree with a clear vocational licence at the end — BA International Relations prepares students for competitive and self-directed career paths, not a specific credentialed profession
• This degree may not suit you if you are uncomfortable with disciplinary breadth — IR draws on political science, economics, history, and law simultaneously, and students who strongly prefer staying within a single discipline may find the interdisciplinary demands frustrating

Admissions and eligibility patterns

Common entrance routes

Route	Details
CUET UG	Required for Delhi University, BHU, JNU, Hyderabad Central University, and 280+ central and state universities
SAT	Accepted at Ashoka University, FLAME University, Krea University, and all US colleges
ACT	Alternative to SAT; accepted at Ashoka University and US liberal arts colleges
College-specific	Ashoka Aptitude Test, FLAME FEAT, Krea University entrance, Azim Premji assessment, Symbiosis SET
Merit-based	Many state universities and autonomous colleges admit on Class 12 board marks alone

At Jindal Global University (JSIA), admission to the BA (Hons) in Global Affairs is through an application process that includes Class 12 marks and a personal statement; the university also considers CUET scores. The programme is residential and requires full-time study at the Sonipat campus.

At Shiv Nadar University, admission to BA (Research) in International Relations is through SNUSAT (Shiv Nadar’s own entrance exam) or CUET, followed by a personal interview. Minimum eligibility is Class 12 with at least 60% aggregate including English.

At FLAME University, admission involves the FLAME Entrance Assessment or CUET, plus an interview. FLAME’s liberal arts structure means students do not declare a major until after an exploration period.

At public universities where BA Political Science incorporates IR content, CUET scores are the primary determinant.

At LSE, the typical offer for BSc International Relations is A*AA to AAA at A-level (UK). History is recommended, and Politics/Government, Economics, or Sociology are welcomed. For Indian students, ISC or CBSE Board results are evaluated; competitive applicants typically achieve 90%+ in the relevant Class 12 subjects.

India vs global degree structure

The most significant structural difference for Indian students is the absence of standalone BA International Relations at public universities. In India:

The public university path (DU, JNU, Hyderabad Central University, Jadavpur): IR content is primarily delivered within BA Political Science (Honours), which includes international relations as a specialised component but dedicates most of the curriculum to Indian politics, political theory, and comparative politics. Students who want a grounding in both Indian politics and international affairs are often well-served by this route.

The private university path (Jindal, Shiv Nadar, FLAME): Standalone or near-standalone IR programmes exist, typically in four-year liberal arts or professional structures. These are generally residential, competitive, and expensive relative to public alternatives. They offer more dedicated IR content, foreign language requirements, and practical components (internships, model UN, policy simulations).

The global path (LSE, Sciences Po, Georgetown): International universities with long-standing IR traditions offer programmes that are more theoretically advanced, more research-oriented, and embedded in environments with strong policy and international affairs networks. These are not available to all students due to cost and admission selectivity.

A practical note: the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) examination is open to graduates of any discipline. Many IFS officers have backgrounds in history, political science, and English, not just IR. A strong BA in any social science or humanities subject, followed by dedicated civil services preparation, is a viable route.

Careers after this degree

Career path	Typical entry role	Further study	Salary range (India, entry-level)
Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and diplomatic corps	IFS Officer (post-UPSC)	Required (UPSC/IFS exam)	₹56,100/month (Level 10, 7th Pay Commission)
Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and civil services	IAS Officer (post-UPSC)	Required (UPSC exam)	₹56,100/month (Level 10, 7th Pay Commission)
International organisations	Programme Officer / Junior Analyst	Recommended (MA/MPP)	₹4–8 LPA
Think tanks and policy research	Research Analyst	Optional (MA)	₹4–8 LPA
International business and consulting	Strategy Analyst / Government Affairs Associate	Optional (MBA)	₹6–12 LPA
Development sector	Programme Associate / Field Officer	Optional	₹3–7 LPA
Journalism and media	Foreign Correspondent / International Affairs Reporter	Optional	₹3–6 LPA
Law and international law	Junior Advocate / Legal Researcher	Required (LLB/LLM)	₹3–7 LPA

Salary figures are indicative. For verified data, refer to NIRF placement reports and institutional placement disclosures.

Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and diplomatic corps. The most prestigious career destination for IR graduates. IFS is part of the UPSC civil services examination. Political science and IR are strong optional subjects for this exam.

Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and civil services. The broader civil services examination is open to graduates of all disciplines. IR content — international law, global governance, India’s foreign policy — is directly relevant to both the GS papers and interview preparation.

International organisations. The UN system, World Bank, IMF, UNDP, UNICEF, UNHCR, and regional bodies like ASEAN and the African Union employ programme officers, researchers, and policy analysts. Entry typically requires both a strong academic background and relevant experience (internships, fellowships).

Think tanks and policy research. Institutions such as Observer Research Foundation (ORF), Centre for Policy Research (CPR), Stimson Center, Carnegie Endowment, Chatham House (UK), and IISS (International Institute for Strategic Studies) regularly recruit IR graduates for research and analysis roles. Entry typically requires graduate study.

International business and consulting. Multinational companies, consulting firms, and international trade organisations value IR graduates’ geopolitical analytical skills, language abilities, and cross-cultural awareness. Strategy, government affairs, and regional intelligence roles are natural fits.

Development sector. International NGOs, bilateral aid agencies (USAID, UKAID, SIDA), and development banks employ IR graduates in programme management, policy advocacy, and research. Development sector roles often require graduate study plus field experience.

Journalism and media. Foreign correspondents, international affairs editors, and geopolitical analysts draw heavily on IR training. The combination of research skills, theoretical grounding, and area knowledge makes IR graduates well-suited to international journalism.

Law and international law. A significant proportion of IR graduates proceed to LLB or LLM degrees with a focus on international law, arbitration, or human rights law.

Higher study and progression pathways

MA International Relations / MA International Affairs is the most direct continuation. In India, strong programmes include JNU’s MA International Studies, Jindal’s integrated MA track, and Hyderabad Central University. Internationally, LSE, Columbia (SIPA), Oxford, King’s College London, Sciences Po, and the Graduate Institute Geneva are leading destinations.

MPP (Master in Public Policy) is chosen by IR graduates interested in governance and public sector careers. Leading global programmes include Harvard Kennedy School, Blavatnik School at Oxford, and LSE’s MPA. In India, ISPP, Takshashila, and several IIT public policy programmes are emerging options.

MBA is a common path for IR graduates moving into international business, consulting, or development finance. Business schools increasingly value the analytical and cross-cultural skills of social science graduates.

LLM (International Law) for students interested in international human rights, trade law, or international arbitration. Programmes at Oxford, Cambridge, NYU, and LSE are well-regarded.

PhD for students committed to academic careers in IR, political science, or area studies.

UPSC preparation remains the most significant post-graduation path for a large proportion of Indian IR students, whether or not they pursue the IFS specifically.

Indian institutional examples

Institution	Location	Primary entry route	Annual fees (approx.)
O.P. Jindal Global University — JSIA (BA Hons in Global Affairs)	Sonipat, Haryana	Application + Class 12 marks / CUET	₹3–5 lakh
Shiv Nadar University — BA (Research) in International Relations	Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh	SNUSAT or CUET UG + interview	₹2.5–4 lakh
FLAME University — International Studies major	Pune, Maharashtra	FLAME Entrance Assessment or CUET UG	₹7–9 lakh

→ Browse all colleges on The University Guide

O.P. Jindal Global University — Jindal School of International Affairs (JSIA). India’s most structured undergraduate IR programme at the UG level. The BA (Hons) in Global Affairs is a four-year residential degree with a comprehensive IR curriculum, mandatory internships, foreign language requirement, and specialisation tracks. Sonipat, Haryana.

Shiv Nadar University (Greater Noida). Offers BA (Research) in International Relations within the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Four-year research-oriented degree with a strong liberal arts structure and thesis requirement.

FLAME University (Pune). The International Studies major is available as a BA or BA (Hons) within FLAME’s interdisciplinary programme. Students can combine it with other FLAME majors. Flexible liberal arts structure.

Jindal School of Liberal Humanities and Arts (JSLH), O.P. Jindal Global University. In addition to JSIA, Jindal offers a Diplomacy and Foreign Policy specialisation track that students can pursue.

International institutional examples

Institution	Country	Entry route	Annual fees (approx.)
London School of Economics (LSE) — BSc International Relations	UK	UCAS / A-levels (A*AA–AAA)	£22,000–30,000/year
Sciences Po, Paris	France	Sciences Po application + language tests	€5,000–10,000/year
Georgetown University — School of Foreign Service (SFS)	USA	Common App / SAT / ACT	$52,000–60,000/year
IE University	Spain	IE application / SAT / ACT	€22,000–28,000/year
University of Toronto	Canada	Ontario application / SAT	CAD$45,000–55,000/year

London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), UK. BSc International Relations at LSE is one of the oldest and most respected IR degrees in the world. The three-year programme is theoretically rigorous and research-oriented, with a strong global options list and a policy-relevant environment in London.

Sciences Po, Paris, France. One of the world’s great IR and political science universities. The undergraduate Collège Universitaire is a three-year interdisciplinary programme integrating humanities, social sciences, and global affairs. Mandatory international experience (campus abroad in Year 1, semester abroad, foreign language). Sciences Po alumni populate European institutions, international organisations, and French public service.

Georgetown University — School of Foreign Service (SFS), USA. A four-year professional undergraduate degree in international affairs, deeply embedded in Washington’s foreign policy community. Strong in international security, international economics, and regional studies.

IE University (Madrid, Spain). IE University offers an International Relations degree that combines classical IR with a strong emphasis on international business, European affairs, and global governance. Based in Madrid, with strong alumni networks across Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.

University of Toronto, Canada. Toronto’s broad Arts and Science programmes include a range of IR-relevant paths within Political Science, International Relations, and Global Affairs. The university’s size and diversity provide a rich research and learning environment.

Related degrees and next reads

Students considering BA International Relations often also consider BA Political Science, which shares the study of power, governance, and political theory, but devotes more attention to Indian politics and domestic political systems. BA Political Science at DU and central universities includes significant international relations content as part of the honours curriculum.

BA Economics is relevant for students interested in the international political economy dimension of IR — trade, development finance, and global economic governance. BA Economics combined with self-study or electives in IR is a route several students take.

BA History complements IR closely: understanding historical context — colonialism, Cold War, decolonisation — is essential for serious IR scholarship. BA History at research universities provides the historical grounding that IR theory requires.

Students who want the broad analytical training of international relations within a wider liberal arts framework, without committing entirely to IR, often consider BA Liberal Arts or BA in Social Sciences programmes that allow IR as a major or minor.

Sources Used

• O.P. Jindal Global University, JSIA — BA (Hons) in Global Affairs programme and curriculum: https://jgu.edu.in/jsia/admissions/ba-hons-global-affairs
• O.P. Jindal Global University, JSIA — BA (Hons) in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy: https://jgu.edu.in/jsia/admissions/ba-hons-diplomacy-foreign-policy
• LSE, BSc International Relations programme overview: https://www.lse.ac.uk/study-at-lse/undergraduate/bsc-international-relations
• LSE, BSc International Relations programme regulations 2025-26: https://www.lse.ac.uk/resources/calendar2025-2026/programmeRegulations/undergraduate/2025/BScInternationalRelations.htm
• Shiv Nadar University, School of Humanities and Social Sciences: https://snu.edu.in/schools/school-of-humanities-and-social-sciences/
• Ashoka University, undergraduate programme structure: https://www.ashoka.edu.in/academic-programme/undergraduate/1000/