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Understand global politics, diplomacy, and security
Online or on campus
International Affairs at Brigant examines how states, institutions, and non-state actors shape world order. You will analyse conflict, cooperation, human rights, and economic diplomacy through historical and contemporary lenses. Debate-style seminars develop argumentation skills; research methods training prepares you for policy briefs and dissertation work. Edinburgh's diplomatic community provides guest lectures and networking opportunities throughout the programme. BA (Hons) International Affairs is taught as one award, not a list of unrelated modules. The published length is 3 years full-time, and the credit total is 360. Students move from Introduction to IR Theory through Introduction to IR Theory; Global History since 1945; International Political Economy; Research & Academic Writing Skills; Comparative Politics & Government; International Law & Human Rights Foundations, and finish on Honours International Affairs Dissertation. Each course has a question, a method, and a submission. In this field, students apply the method of the subject to a defined problem and defend the result. Reading is a core text, a case or dataset, and a critique. The artefact a marker expects is a submission that shows the method, the evidence, and the limit of the claim. The award is built so that a graduate can do the following in practice: Critically assess theories of international relations and foreign policy Draft policy briefs for governmental and NGO audiences Evaluate humanitarian and development interventions Teaching assumes the student can read a source, attempt a problem before the seminar, and revise after feedback. Attendance at live seminars is part of the design. The capstone or final course must use the methods of the earlier courses; a project that ignores them does not pass. The pages for each course name the topics that are examined. Those topics are the syllabus. A brochure line is not a substitute for them.
Model United Nations and crisis simulation weekends are embedded in Years 2 and 3.
Faculty spotlight
Professor Elena Vasquez researches EU governance; Dr. Marcus Chen specialises in Indo-Pacific security.
Study online
Online tuition is free. Online examinations are free. There is no exam fee for online study.
On-campus study
Prefer to learn at our Edinburgh campus? Campus tuition and campus examinations are charged. The published campus price is on each programme page.
| Code | Course | Credits · hours |
|---|---|---|
| IA101 | Introduction to IR Theory Introduction to IR Theory (IA101) is a 20-credit course on BA (Hons) International Affairs, with 200 notional learning hours. By the end, students can apply the method of the subject to a defined problem and defend the result, using Introduction to IR Theory as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a core text, a case or dataset, and a critique. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a submission that shows the method, the evidence, and the limit of the claim. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone.
| 20 · 200 h |
| IA102 | Global History since 1945 Global History since 1945 (IA102) is a 20-credit course on BA (Hons) International Affairs, with 200 notional learning hours. By the end, students can apply the method of the subject to a defined problem and defend the result, using Global History since 1945 as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a core text, a case or dataset, and a critique. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a submission that shows the method, the evidence, and the limit of the claim. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone.
| 20 · 200 h |
| IA103 | International Political Economy International Political Economy (IA103) is a 20-credit course on BA (Hons) International Affairs, with 200 notional learning hours. By the end, students can apply the method of the subject to a defined problem and defend the result, using International Political Economy as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a core text, a case or dataset, and a critique. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a submission that shows the method, the evidence, and the limit of the claim. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone.
| 20 · 200 h |
| IA104 | Research & Academic Writing Skills Research & Academic Writing Skills (IA104) is a 20-credit course on BA (Hons) International Affairs, with 200 notional learning hours. By the end, students can apply the method of the subject to a defined problem and defend the result, using Research & Academic Writing Skills as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a core text, a case or dataset, and a critique. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a submission that shows the method, the evidence, and the limit of the claim. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone.
| 20 · 200 h |
| IA105 | Comparative Politics & Government Comparative Politics & Government (IA105) is a 20-credit course on BA (Hons) International Affairs, with 200 notional learning hours. By the end, students can apply the method of the subject to a defined problem and defend the result, using Comparative Politics & Government as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a core text, a case or dataset, and a critique. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a submission that shows the method, the evidence, and the limit of the claim. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone.
| 20 · 200 h |
| IA106 | International Law & Human Rights Foundations International Law & Human Rights Foundations (IA106) is a 20-credit course on BA (Hons) International Affairs, with 200 notional learning hours. By the end, students can say who decides, under which rule, and draft a note a professional could read, using International Law & Human Rights Foundations as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a statute or instrument, a case or policy paper, and a commentary. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a memo or draft clause with sources and a revision note. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course is academic. It does not admit the student to practise law and it is not a qualifying law degree.
| 20 · 200 h |
| Code | Course | Credits · hours |
|---|---|---|
| IA201 | Security & Strategic Studies Security & Strategic Studies (IA201) is a 20-credit course on BA (Hons) International Affairs, with 200 notional learning hours. By the end, students can map one named system, write a threat model, and specify the controls that would stop the most likely path, using Security & Strategic Studies as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses control catalogues, incident write-ups, and a short technical standard. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a defensive design with a test plan and a statement of residual risk. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone.
| 20 · 200 h |
| IA202 | International Organisations & Multilateralism International Organisations & Multilateralism (IA202) is a 20-credit course on BA (Hons) International Affairs, with 200 notional learning hours. By the end, students can apply the method of the subject to a defined problem and defend the result, using International Organisations & Multilateralism as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a core text, a case or dataset, and a critique. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a submission that shows the method, the evidence, and the limit of the claim. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone.
| 20 · 200 h |
| IA203 | Human Rights & Sustainable Development Human Rights & Sustainable Development (IA203) is a 20-credit course on BA (Hons) International Affairs, with 200 notional learning hours. By the end, students can draw the system, name the constraint that binds it, and compare two responses, using Human Rights & Sustainable Development as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a system description, an indicator note, and a project option paper. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a recommendation for one decision, with the evidence and the downside. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a professional engineering licence.
| 20 · 200 h |
| IA204 | Foreign Policy Analysis Foreign Policy Analysis (IA204) is a 20-credit course on BA (Hons) International Affairs, with 200 notional learning hours. By the end, students can say who decides, under which rule, and draft a note a professional could read, using Foreign Policy Analysis as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a statute or instrument, a case or policy paper, and a commentary. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a memo or draft clause with sources and a revision note. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course is academic. It does not admit the student to practise law and it is not a qualifying law degree.
| 20 · 200 h |
| IA205 | Geopolitics & Regional Powers Geopolitics & Regional Powers (IA205) is a 20-credit course on BA (Hons) International Affairs, with 200 notional learning hours. By the end, students can apply the method of the subject to a defined problem and defend the result, using Geopolitics & Regional Powers as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a core text, a case or dataset, and a critique. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a submission that shows the method, the evidence, and the limit of the claim. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone.
| 20 · 200 h |
| IA206 | Research Methods in International Relations Research Methods in International Relations (IA206) is a 20-credit course on BA (Hons) International Affairs, with 200 notional learning hours. By the end, students can apply the method of the subject to a defined problem and defend the result, using Research Methods in International Relations as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a core text, a case or dataset, and a critique. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a submission that shows the method, the evidence, and the limit of the claim. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone.
| 20 · 200 h |
| Code | Course | Credits · hours |
|---|---|---|
| IA301 | Diplomacy, Negotiation & Conflict Resolution Diplomacy, Negotiation & Conflict Resolution (IA301) is a 20-credit course on BA (Hons) International Affairs, with 200 notional learning hours. By the end, students can say who decides, under which rule, and draft a note a professional could read, using Diplomacy, Negotiation & Conflict Resolution as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a statute or instrument, a case or policy paper, and a commentary. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a memo or draft clause with sources and a revision note. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course is academic. It does not admit the student to practise law and it is not a qualifying law degree.
| 20 · 200 h |
| IA302 | Global Governance in the Digital Era Global Governance in the Digital Era (IA302) is a 20-credit course on BA (Hons) International Affairs, with 200 notional learning hours. By the end, students can say who decides, under which rule, and draft a note a professional could read, using Global Governance in the Digital Era as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a statute or instrument, a case or policy paper, and a commentary. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a memo or draft clause with sources and a revision note. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course is academic. It does not admit the student to practise law and it is not a qualifying law degree.
| 20 · 200 h |
| IA303 | International Migration & Global Borders International Migration & Global Borders (IA303) is a 20-credit course on BA (Hons) International Affairs, with 200 notional learning hours. By the end, students can apply the method of the subject to a defined problem and defend the result, using International Migration & Global Borders as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a core text, a case or dataset, and a critique. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a submission that shows the method, the evidence, and the limit of the claim. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone.
| 20 · 200 h |
| IA304 | Emerging Global Security Threats Emerging Global Security Threats (IA304) is a 20-credit course on BA (Hons) International Affairs, with 200 notional learning hours. By the end, students can map one named system, write a threat model, and specify the controls that would stop the most likely path, using Emerging Global Security Threats as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses control catalogues, incident write-ups, and a short technical standard. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a defensive design with a test plan and a statement of residual risk. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone.
| 20 · 200 h |
| IA305 | Honours International Affairs Dissertation Honours International Affairs Dissertation (IA305) is a 40-credit course on BA (Hons) International Affairs, with 400 notional learning hours. By the end, students can apply the method of the subject to a defined problem and defend the result, using Honours International Affairs Dissertation as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a core text, a case or dataset, and a critique. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a submission that shows the method, the evidence, and the limit of the claim. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone.
| 40 · 400 h |
Modules are assessed through a published mix of coursework, applied projects, and examinations. Exam windows are announced in advance so students in other time zones are not forced into overnight sittings. Alternative arrangements are available where documented.
The published duration is 3 years full-time. Teaching language: English. Actual time-to-complete depends on mode and any recognised prior learning.
You may study this award fully online from your country, or — where published — on campus at Brigant. Online study does not require a student visa. Campus study may.
Degree tuition for this award is published as £0 / tuition-free on the online pathway. Examination or administrative fees may apply at checkout — never an annual tuition invoice. Check the Fees page for any extras.
Requirements are grouped on this page (academic, English, documents). Equivalent qualifications are considered. English may be waived after prior English-medium study.
Assessment is typically a mix of coursework, projects, and examinations. Doctoral awards include a thesis or dissertation and an oral examination. Details sit in the programme specification and module outlines.
Recognition of the award for local employment, professional licence, or ministry attestation is decided by your employer or regulator. University of Brigant publishes verification pages for certificates. We do not claim automatic equivalence in every country.
Start an application on this website. Progress is saved from the first step. Admissions: admissions@brigant.uk.
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