Bachelors of Arts in International Relations

The Bachelor of Arts in International Relations at University of Sharjah is a four-year undergraduate degree designed to give students a deep understanding of global affairs, diplomatic practice, and the principles that shape international cooperation and conflict. It suits students who are interested in careers in diplomacy, government, international organisations, policy analysis, and research, and covers key topics such as political theory, global governance, regional politics, and research methods. 

Curriculum structure

Year 1:
In the first year, students build a foundation in political and social systems with courses such as Introduction to International Relations, Political Theory, and History of International System (core department offerings typical to the program). These units introduce basic concepts of sovereignty, the evolution of the state system, and principal approaches for analysing global interactions, while university general education courses enhance writing, critical thinking, and communication skills. By engaging with both theoretical and historical perspectives, learners begin to understand how international relations shape world events and communities. 

Year 2:
The second year focuses on expanding analytical and methodological skills, introducing units like Comparative Politics, International Law, and Research Methods in Social Sciences. Through these courses, students compare political systems, explore legal frameworks that govern international behaviour, and learn qualitative and quantitative tools used to investigate political and social phenomena. Electives allow exploration of region-specific topics such as Political Economy of the Middle East, encouraging students to link broad theories to particular geopolitical contexts. 

Year 3:
In the third year, the curriculum advances into substantive global issues with subjects such as Foreign Policy Analysis, Global Governance, and Human Rights in International Relations (based on common department offerings and electives). These modules enable students to understand how states and international actors interact strategically, how global institutions address collective challenges, and how human rights frameworks influence international agendas. By integrating perspectives from theory and practice, students learn to analyse current global issues and policy responses. 

Year 4:
The final year emphasises practical application and specialised knowledge, with courses such as Regional Dynamics in International Relations (e.g., Middle East, Europe, Asia) and optional Internships, along with a Capstone Research Project. This stage sharpens regional expertise and analytical skills as students synthesise knowledge from prior study to investigate a major issue or policy area in depth. The internship or practicum experience further prepares graduates for professional environments in diplomacy, government agencies, international NGOs, or research institutions. 

Focus areas (in a string):
International relations theory, comparative politics, international law, foreign policy analysis, global governance, political economy, regional studies (Middle East, Europe, Asia), human rights, research methods, diplomacy, internships. 

Learning outcomes (in a string):
Critically apply theoretical approaches to international affairs, analyse political systems and global issues using qualitative and quantitative methods, evaluate the roles of states and non-state actors, interpret legal and ethical dimensions of global governance, and conduct independent research on international relations topics.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
The program is offered by the University of Sharjah, a fully accredited institution licensed by the UAE Ministry of Education’s Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA), ensuring that academic quality and learning standards meet national higher education requirements. 

Reputation (employability rankings):
The University of Sharjah is recognised within the UAE and the broader Gulf region for its academic quality; according to regional university ranking data, it is often placed among the top universities in the UAE with strong subject recognition in social sciences, contributing to solid graduate prospects in government, diplomatic services, international organisations, and global policy roles.