International Affairs

International Affairs is a three-year bachelor’s programme taught entirely in English, located at University West, Sweden. Students and staff come from across the globe, which gives the programme a truly international, multicultural study environment.  

The programme has an international focus, introducing students to current global debates such as inequality, identity politics, decoloniality, climate crisis, democratic erosion, technological development, and digitalisation. International Affairs aims to highlight the local and national, as well as the regional and global scope of contemporary socio-political challenges. The students learn how to identify, analyse, and evaluate such challenges carefully and fairly, using appropriate scientific methods. The programme trains critically reflexive and engaged citizens and professionals.

Besides solid training in political science and international relations, students get to choose a package of specialized courses in either Security or Sustainability.

Study internationally

The programme is thought in English in a classroom full of international students and teachers. International perspectives are included at every stage. During the elective semester, the students can choose to complete an internship or study abroad. University West has agreements with several universities, all over the world. We also have special bilateral agreements for staff and student exchange with the University of the Western Cape in South Africa and San José State University in California, USA.

Strong foundation for career and further studies

International Affairs graduates are in high demand across public, private, and nonprofit sectors. They are prepared for roles like project leaders, analysts, strategists, and researchers, with opportunities in government, international organizations, NGOs, and private companies, both in Sweden and abroad. Our graduates can also continue studying at specialized master programs in Sweden and internationally.

Work Integrated Learning

University West is Sweden’s leading university for Work Integrated Learning (WIL). In line with WIL, International Affairs combines theoretical and practical knowledge through case-based learning, real-world applications, and an optional semester-long internship. The program fosters students’ academic, professional, and personal growth while encouraging collaboration between students and teachers to inspire innovation. With a strong emphasis on dialogue and transformative engagement between academia and society, the curriculum addresses contemporary global challenges. Faculty members are actively involved in research areas such as sustainability, human rights, democracy, international law, and social infrastructure, enriching the learning experience.

Four blocks of knowledge

The programme is structured to progressively develop the students' critical thinking, academic writing and communication, independent application of knowledge, and analytical skills. It is organized into four interrelated blocks of knowledge.

Block 1: Science and Art of Government

This block focuses on political science, mainly political theory, comparative politics, and public administration. The students are introduced to classic political thought, its developments, and application to contemporary phenomena. Students are also familiarized with political institutions in democratic and non-democratic systems, including public administration. Many of our alumni choose to work in public administration and this block of knowledge provides them with critical knowledge about how these institutions are organized, how they are steered, and how they can (mal)function.

Block 2: International Studies

This block offers in-depth focus on international relations and global political economy. It introduces politics as not only existing in the local or national realm, but also as forming and being constructed through international relations. We also discuss the interconnection of political and economic structures and actions, and the effects these have on various levels. In our globalized world, comprehension of these processes is crucial for most careers in governmental, non-governmental, and international institutions.

Block 3: Work Integrated Learning

Many courses during the programme incorporate work-integrated learning (WIL) through case-based and problem-based learning, as well as invited guest lecturers. The students also take an applied course in project management, training them for future work tasks. Digitalisation and the use of digital tools in management and policymaking is discussed, preparing students for a digitalized working life and the type of digital tools they can expect to be using, as well as providing them with the ability to critically reflect on the use of such tools. The elective semester offers possibilities of internships in Sweden and abroad or of taking courses in WIL.

Block 4: Applied Research

International Affairs provides practical experience of key academic skills and abilities throughout the programme. The students are introduced to scientific methods to carry out investigations and evaluations of political phenomena, as well as to conduct academic research. The students are also offered opportunities to participate in ongoing research projects at the university through a research internship. During the final semester, the students prepare and write a bachelor’s thesis, developing in-depth knowledge of a selected topic within political science.

Course overview

Each semester includes a study period of 20 weeks and 30 credits. In total, the programme’s length is 3 years and 180 credits. The courses are given in sequential order. During semester 3, the students choose one of two specialization tracks: Security or Sustainability.

Year 1

Semester 1

• Introduction to Political Thought, 15 credits
• Comparative Politics and Public Administration, 15 credits

Semester 2

• International Relations, 15 credits
• Global Political Economy, 15 credits

Year 2

Semester 3 (choice of one specialization tracks)

• Security Track, 30 credits
• Sustainability Track, 30 credits

Semester 4

• Applied Project Management, 15 credits
• Investigation & Evaluation Methods, 15 credits

Year 3

Semester 5 (elective)

• Second specialization track, 30 credits
• Internship, 30 credits
• Elective courses at University West, 30 credits
• Studies at other universities in Sweden, 30 credits
• Studies abroad, 30 credits

Semester 6 

• Applied Social Science Methods, 15 credits
• Research Project in Political Science, 15 credits

Specialization in Security or Sustainability

During the programme (semester 3), the students choose to specialize in the subjects of Security or Sustainability. Both tracks offer an in-depth understanding of selected current challenges, through different theoretical approaches.

The Security track introduces students to security studies in general and, more specifically, to topics such as hybrid threats, international conflicts, political violence, human security, diplomacy, and peace studies. Courses included in this track:

• Introduction to Security Studies, 7.5 credits
• Hybrid Threats, 7.5 credits
• Critical Security Studies, 7.5 credits
• Peace, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution, 7.5 credits

The Sustainability track focuses on sustainability studies and how the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainability are governed locally, nationally, and internationally. This track also discusses the topics of social movements and activism for and against sustainability, as well as the theory and practice of sustainable transitions. Courses included in this track:

• Sustainability and Political Thought, 7.5 credits
• Sustainability Governance, 7.5 credits
• Grassroots Activism for Sustainability, 7.5 credits
• Sustainability Transitions, 7.5 credits

Elective semester

During the 5th semester the students have the opportunity to either study abroad in Europe or beyond, or at another Swedish university; do complete an internship abroad or in Sweden; stay at University West and study any of the elective courses offered here. For students who want to add the second specialization of either Security or Sustainability, they can do so during the elective semester.

Educational methods

International Affairs uses a wide range of pedagogical tools to teach and help students grow in the field, such as presentations, teamwork and problem-based learning.

International Affairs is a full-time study programme dependent on students’ active participation. Apart from the elective semester, the approximate distribution of educational methods in the programme is as follows:

• Lectures (50%)
• Seminars (10%)
• Practical/group work (15%)
• Thesis work (15%)
• Independent or self-study (10%)

Degree

International Affairs leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree (BA, 180 credits) with specialization in Political Science.

See programme syllabus for more details.

The international approach of this programme provides students with opportunities to continue studying or start working inside and outside of Sweden.

Further education

Graduates from the International Affairs programme can apply for further studies at the master level within social science programmes in Sweden or internationally.

University West also offers a natural continuation at the graduate level in one of our two-year international Master’s Programmes: in Work Integrated Political Studies, in Sustainable Development, and in Leadership in Digital Organizations.

Career

Graduates from International Affairs are attractive to employers both in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

After graduating, students will be prepared to work as project leaders, strategists, analysts, administrators, organizational developers, investigators, researchers, or strategic planners. Students can pursue employment opportunities in local, regional, and national public administration, or in international organizations. Other possibilities include careers in non-governmental organizations or private companies within and outside of Sweden.

Students are trained in important skills required on the labour market, such as collaborative and communicative skills, project management, analytical thinking, and critical reflection. Students are introduced to the digital tools they can expect to be using in their working life and are provided with the ability to critically reflect on the use of such tools. The specialization tracks equip students with in-depth knowledge of security and/or sustainability issues, in high demand among employers in different branches. The international focus of the programme prepares students for a multi-cultural workplace and for transnational collaborations.

Admission requirements

You will be considered for admission to International Affairs if you fulfil the following entry requirements.

• Previous education
  The equivalent of a Swedish upper secondary/high school diploma (general entry requirements) with minimum specific entry requirements for social studies.
  
  See programme syllabus for more details.
  
  
• English language requirement
  The English language requirement is the equivalent of English studies at the upper secondary (high school) level in Sweden. Learn about proof of English proficiency.

If you have any questions, please send us an email at study@universitywest.se

Application procedure

University West uses a national application system run by University Admissions in Sweden. It is only possible to apply during the application period, which starts from mid-October. The application procedure basically consists of three steps:

• Apply online on www.universityadmissions.se
• Submit your documents on www.universityadmissions.se . (Deadline will be confirmed in your application confirmation, generally around two weeks after the application deadline.)
• Pay the application fee (if applicable) on www.universityadmissions.se . (Deadline will be confirmed in your application confirmation, generally around two weeks after the application deadline.)

More detailed information about the application procedure.

We follow the documents that are written at Universityadmissions.se (no additional specific documents besides that).

Application fee

Students with citizenship in countries not within the EU/EEA or Switzerland are required to pay an application fee in order to get their application processed. The application fee is SEK 900 (Swedish kronor).

Not sure if you need to pay the application fee? This list of questions will help you.

Tuition fee

For students with citizenship in EU/EEA countries or Switzerland, the tuition is free.

Students with citizenship in countries outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland are required to pay tuition fees for university studies in Sweden. For more information about tuition fees and exceptions you can check Universityadmissions.se.

For the academic year 2026/2027 the tuition fee for this programme is SEK 105,000 per year.  You will pay the tuition fee per semester (in six instalments).

Scholarships

University West does not offer scholarships for students in undergraduate programmes.

Name of the programme

International Affairs

Degree

Bachelor of Arts degree (BA, 180 credits) with specialization in Political Science

Duration

3 years, 180 credits

Pace of instruction

Full-time

Type of instruction

On campus

Teaching hours

Daytime

Tuition fee*

SEK 105,000 per year

Scholarship available

No

* EU/EEA citizens are generally exempted from paying tuition fee

Do you want to learn more about living costs, student accommodation, getting a residence permit and many other practical matters? Then read our section about Practicalities.