Program Overview

Diploma in International Studies

Course Details

• Full Time
• Duration: 2+ years
• Intake Date: 29 May 2025, 03 July 2025, 25 September 2025
• Awarding Body: APU, Diploma

Admission Requirements

• General Requirements:
  • SPM: 3 Credits in at least 3 subjects including English at SPM level, with a minimum of a pass in Bahasa Malaysia and Sejarah (History)
  • IGCSE/O-LEVELS: 3 Credits (Grade C & above) in at least 3 subjects including English at IGCSE/O-Levels
  • UEC: 3 Credits (Grade B & above) in at least 3 subjects including English in UEC
  • CERTIFICATE: Pass relevant Certificate Programme or its equivalent
• English Requirements:
  • IELTS: 5.0
  • TOEFL IBT: 40
  • Pearson (PTE): 47
  • MUET: Band 3.5

Programme Outline

• This APU Diploma in International Studies is designed to:
  • Provide the academic aspect as well as the vocational aspects of International Studies
  • Prepare students for careers in the International Studies environment
  • Provide students with academic and professional skills to develop solutions requiring a holistic outlook in the area of International Studies
  • Provide students with critical, independent and cooperative learning skills so as to facilitate their response to continuous change in international arena
  • Develop students’ intellectual skills, communications ability and team working capability
  • Provide students with opportunity to progress into degrees of International standard in relevant areas

Semester 1

• Academic Research Skills
• Digital Thinking and Innovation
• Managing Business
• Practical IT Skills

Semester 2

• Professional Communications
• International Relations
• Critical International Film Studies
• Global Business Trends

Semester 3

• Globalisation and International Studies
• International History Since 1900
• Modern Political Ideas
• Foreign Affairs of Malaysia

Semester 4

• Introduction to International Political Economy
• People Power and Revolutions in World Politics
• Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship
• Introduction to Comparative Politics
• Environment Issues and Case Studies 1

Semester 5

• Theories of International Relations
• International Organisations
• Regionalism in Southeast Asia
• Environment Issues & Case Studies 2

Semester 6 - Internship (8 weeks)

• Students will undertake an Internship/Industrial Training for a minimum period of 8 weeks to prepare them for a smooth transition from the classroom to the working environment

Further Studies

• Upon successful completion of this programme and fulfilment of requirements for credit transfer, you will be eligible to progress into Level 2 of the following degree programmes offered at APU
• Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in International Relations
• Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in International Business Management
• Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Business Management
• Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Human Resource Management
• Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Marketing Management

Fees & Certification

• Malaysian: RM45,200
• International: RM52,600 (USD12,235)
• MQA Cert: Programme code : (R2/0312/4/0002)(02/30)(MQA/FA4059)