Bachelor in International Relations Become an actor at a global level

Is for individuals who are…

able to understand and interpret complexity. You are proactive and feel at ease engaging in and debating challenging issues.

Looking for…

A comprehensive program that will position you to become an influential actor at a global level and equip you with the necessary hard and soft skills to make a contribution in society.

To become…

• A member of your country’s Foreign Service
• A consultant for a multilateral organization
• An executive in a multinational corporation
• A development expert in an NGO

Development Studies and Social Entrepreneurship

Through a breadth of knowledge across disciplines, this concentration provides you with a deep and holistic understanding of all the dimensions -
social, political, economic, etc. - of development. Students engage in a critical way to comprehend with an informed perspective all the issues and problems developing countries face. They learn how to approach all the challenges in an innovative way so as to identify solutions and propose concrete plans. This concentration draws on Social Entrepreneurship as well. As expected from IE School of International Relations, and rooted in IE University pillars, the students can learn the skills need to set up their own initiatives in the practice of development.

This track prepares you for employment in a wide range of professional positions in advisory organisations, international development cooperation, NGOs, governmental (state, regional and urban) aid programmes, development banks, advocacy/lobbying, PR and communication, local and international journalism or research, etc. across a variety of sectors like public health, humanitarian work, environment, education, immigration and refugee services, volunteering, cross-cultural relations, etc.

Public Policy Analysis

This concentration prepares students to broadly understand the nature of policy-making processes and tools. Legislation, regulations and political initiatives need to be formulated and implemented of relevant information and analysis (from facts and statistics to qualitative assessment), they also require throughout time periodical analysis to assess the degree to which they are meeting their goals and need improvement. The students learn through this concentration the basic framework, methods, technical and analytical skills, and tools vital to become a generalist who can work in the fields of health, economic development, environment, education, etc. helping to design, implement and analyse solutions. By combining public policy with the management skills and techniques studied in the core program of the Bachelor in International Relations, you will gain strong abilities that allow them to thoroughly develop innovative solutions.

Public Policy Analysis concentration opens for you a wide range of professional paths: central and regional governments, public agencies, central banks, international and multilateral organizations, development banks, think-tanks and research institutes. The opportunities you will find along these paths are multiplied by the intersection with multiple sectors: health, education, environment, economic, tax policy, social and cultural development, internal and external security, etc.

Geopolitics and Global Security

This concentration is designed for students who want to take part in the solutions of the new geopolitical challenges and complex global conflicts. This option will introduce you to the conceptual framework needed to understand all the significant factors which drive political and military conflicts, security challenges and the dynamics of peace and global political stability. The multidisciplinary approach of this concentration will provide you with an understanding of strategy, planning and negotiation techniques required to manage and resolve conflicts as well as to identify and prevent threats. Subject matters as defense and military strategy; international intelligence, information technology and cyber-security; terrorism, new political forces and unconventional warfare; international negotiation, coercion and intervention are core components of this track. Major factors of global impact such as cultural, economic, demographic or religious issues are studied together with relevant skills to provide analysis, guidelines and policies of high impact.

This track gives you ample opportunities in a varied field of professional practices: government and state agencies, international and multilateral organizations, think-tanks and research institutes, international non-profit organizations and foundations, consulting firms, IT industry, specialized journalism, etc.

International Business

Students who pursue this concentration obtain a breadth of knowledge about how business are done at an international scale: from how they start to how they should be managed, from how regulations and cultural context affects companies and trade to how they can grow. On top of the basic foundations about economics, business and management studied previously in the core program of the Bachelor in International Relations, this option takes you further providing the conceptual background, relevant skills and tools to understand the dynamics of international business, the specific features of multinationals government, management (communication, marketing, operations, etc.) and development, and the evolving map of global opportunities for trade, investment and growth.

This track, specific for Bachelor in International Relations students, consolidates a useful preparation for careers in a variety of internationally oriented organizations, including multinational companies, local companies involved in international activities (trade, licensing, financial arrangements, etc.) or consulting firms specialized in the internationalization of business firms. Specific management functions like marketing, communication, institutional relations, operations, human resources or compliance in international settings are suitable for this academic path.

A practice-based approach

The program employs a case study approach and seminar discussions in the IR Lab. These are semester-long courses which simulate real-life challenges and train students in critical areas such as conflict resolution, negotiation, strategy, and public speaking. Students also have the opportunity to participate in selective internship placements in a variety of institutions.

A multi-disciplinary program

Our multi-disciplinary approach specifically trains students to understand complexity. The program takes a comprehensive look at International Relations as a global discipline, drawing on many fields such as political science, economics, law, and the role of multilateral organizations, states and the corporate world in shifting the international order.

Management in the global arena

You will acquire key skills sought after by companies needing professionals with a solid understanding of global affairs, as well as the ability to work in corporate settings. Students benefit from IE's world-ranked experience in management and business. These subjects are fundamental to your training in order to be a decision-maker and manage projects and policies at the highest levels.

Think critically, bring solutions

International Relations is as much about thinking critically and understanding complexity as it is developing strong influence and negotiation skills. Essential for professionals in this field is the ability to work and think in complex, interconnected scenarios and bring solutions. You will be required to apply analytical & reasoning abilities together with the art of persuasion and diplomacy to address real-world issues.