International Relations BA (International Honours) at University of St Andrews

Programme overview

A four-year joint degree in international relations delivered by the University of St Andrews and the College of William & Mary in Virginia, USA. Students spend two years at each institution and can choose where they spend years three and four and graduate from either university.

Department: School of International Relations | Duration: Four years full time | Intake: September 2027 | Study mode: full-time | Location: St Andrews, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Topics include international security, world trade and finance, environmental politics, human rights, terrorism, regional and ethnic conflict and globalisation. At St Andrews, first-year modules are Concepts in Global Politics and Foreign Policy and Diplomacy in Global Politics plus two modules in either economics or history; second-year modules are Theoretical Approaches to International Relations and Studying International Relations. Honours options include International Security, International Political Economy and Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Intervention. A 12,000-word dissertation is completed if the final year is at St Andrews.

Career pathways

Graduates work in foreign services, the armed forces, international business, banking and insurance, law, media, public services, research and social services. Recent destinations include the BBC, UNESCO, the United Nations, the Crown Office and Fiscal Service and the East-West Institute.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

BA International Honours (applies across the programme group): Standard entry AAAAB at SQA Highers, AAA at A-level or 38 IB points (HL 6,6,6); Minimum entry (contextual) AABB at SQA Highers, ABB at A-level or 36 IB points (HL 6,5,5). Applicants outside the UK must meet standard entry. Applications are made through the Common Application or the University's direct application form (not UCAS) by 1 May 2027 for September 2027 entry, to one institution only; the first year is spent at the institution applied to. Selection considers grades, context, a personal statement on motivation for the joint programme, academic references and relevant experience. English language (arts subjects, undergraduate profile 3-D): IELTS Academic overall 7.0 with 6.5 in each component for applicants without qualifying English-medium schooling or nationality.

Requirements published at program group level.

GBP 36,520 a year (2026/27). Tuition for the BA International Honours is the same for all students regardless of residence: US$49,804, converted at £36,520 for 2026-27. Paid to St Andrews each year for students who begin there. Excludes accommodation and living costs. Source

Intake: September 2027

Duration: Four years full time

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