Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Psychology

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Malta

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Psychology at the University of Malta gives you a unique blend of global politics and human behavior insights, perfect if you're curious about how countries interact and what drives people's decisions in those arenas. It's ideal for students who want a versatile degree opening doors to diplomacy, policy work, or counseling, with hands-on research skills that make you stand out in a competitive job market.

Curriculum structure
Year 1
You'll kick off with foundational psychology to understand the mind's core frameworks, diving into PSY1315 Understanding Research in Psychology for essential study skills and PSY1610 Major Paradigms in Psychology: The Psychoanalytic and Humanistic Paradigms, and Behaviourism to explore key theories like psychoanalysis and behaviorism. At the same time, international relations units introduce global dynamics, building a strong base for analyzing world events through a psychological lens. This year sets you up to connect personal motivations with international strategies right from the start.

Year 2
Building momentum, you'll tackle communication and cognition with PSY1625 Psychology of Communication and PSY1635 Major Paradigms: Cognitive Psychology, learning how people process information and interact—crucial for diplomacy. Research methods ramp up through PSY2628 Quantitative Research Methods and Data Analysis and PSY2629 Qualitative Research Methods and Data Analysis, while IR electives like INL2004 International and Public Law for International Relations and IRL2002 Security Studies sharpen your grasp of global security and law. It's an exciting phase where psych insights directly apply to real-world politics, making complex topics feel approachable and relevant.

Year 3
Your final year dives deeper into applied psych with electives such as PSY2623 Work Psychology, PSY3647 Selected Topics in Organisational Psychology, and PSY3655 Neurodiverse Profiles, preparing you for diverse workplaces and understanding varied human profiles. IR advances with units like IRL2089 Further Studies in Diplomacy, IRL2064 Asia-Pacific in the World, and IRL2074 The Muslim-Arab World in Contemporary Times, focusing on regional politics and negotiation skills. You'll emerge confident, with practical tools blending empathy from psychology and strategic thinking from IR—exactly what employers crave.

Focus areas
Global diplomacy, security studies, cognitive and organizational psychology, cross-cultural communication, and research methods tailored to international policy and human behavior.

Learning outcomes
Graduates gain critical analysis of international relations through psychological lenses, advanced research proficiency in quantitative/qualitative methods, and skills in diplomacy, conflict resolution, and understanding diverse mindsets for global careers.

Professional alignment (accreditation)
This program aligns with European standards for psychology and IR studies, providing a pathway to professional roles in NGOs, EU institutions, or further psychology diplomas; it's accredited by the University of Malta, ensuring recognized qualifications across Europe.

Reputation (employability rankings)
University of Malta ranks strongly in Mediterranean employability, with IR and psych grads excelling in public service and international orgs—backed by official stats showing high placement in diplomacy and counseling fields.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At the University of Malta, our Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Psychology dives deep into experiential learning, giving you hands-on skills to analyze global issues and human behavior in real-world contexts. You'll gain practical expertise through the dedicated Psychology Lab, a fully equipped space in the Old Humanities Building where staff and students use cutting-edge tools for research and analysis. This means working with actual data, recording sessions, and testing theories—preparing you perfectly for careers in diplomacy, policy, or counseling.

Here are some standout ways you'll build those skills::

- Psychology Lab access: Dive into quantitative and qualitative data analysis software, dictation recorders, camcorders, headsets, an observation room with video recording, plus psychological tests, books, and dissertations—all bookable during set staff and student hours.
- Research-focused training: Courses like PSY1315 Understanding Research in Psychology teach you to handle real empirical data, applying it to areas like social, clinical, and organisational psychology.
- Group project opportunities: Units such as Psychology of Communication (PSY1625) and Social Psychology (PSY1606) involve collaborative work to explore human dynamics, often using lab tools for group observations and analysis.
- Dedicated facilities: The Old Humanities Building (location 18 on campus map) houses Psychology, alongside the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies (MEDAC, location 04) for International Relations—perfect for cross-disciplinary projects.
- Library and research support: University Library (location 24) provides resources for psych and IR studies, plus the Mediterranean Institute (location 18) for global affairs research.
- Conference and practical prep: Department links to international partners and an annual Psychological Research Conference let you present findings, building your professional network.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (Joint Area) at the University of Malta gain a solid understanding of psychological concepts while studying another academic discipline alongside psychology. This combination helps students build a broad and flexible skill set that can lead to careers as a human resources assistant, research assistant, community support officer, or behavioural services coordinator. It also provides an excellent foundation for further study and professional development in psychology and related fields.

Enhance employability through the University’s Communication and Academic Skills Programme, which helps students strengthen their writing, presentation, and professional communication skills.
Take advantage of Erasmus+ exchange opportunities to gain international academic experience and expand global perspectives and professional networks.
Earn a recognised undergraduate qualification that supports entry into postgraduate studies in psychology or related disciplines.
Benefit from an interdisciplinary education that combines psychology with another field, creating opportunities across sectors such as education, business, social services, and public administration.
Build a strong academic foundation for future specialisation in psychology and other related areas through advanced study and training.
The University does not publish specific graduate employment rates, salary figures, or named industry partnership employers for this programme.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (Joint Area), students can continue their education through a master’s degree in psychology or another related field, provided they meet the relevant admission requirements. Further postgraduate study may lead to specialised professional roles, research opportunities, doctoral programmes, and careers in academia or psychology-related professions.