Program Overview

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in International Relations

Course Details

• Full Time
• Duration: 3 years
• Intake Date: 17 July 2025, 29 September 2025, 25 November 2025
• Awarding Body: APU, Malaysia

Why choose APU?

• Malaysia’s Premier Digital Tech University
• 5-Star Excellence Rating (SETARA)
• 100% Employability Rate
• Ranked No.16 for International Students in the World
• More than 80,000 Graduates & Alumni

Dual Degree

• APU-DMU Dual Degree Programme
• Students who are under Bachelor’s Degree Programme will have the option to opt-in for the APU-DMU Dual Degree Scheme.
• Under this Scheme, students will receive 2 Degree Certificates & Transcripts upon graduation: 1 from Asia Pacific University (APU), Malaysia and 1 from De Montfort University (DMU), UK.

Accreditation

• More Than Just An International Relations Degree
• You have the exciting opportunity of enrolling for the APU-CMI Dual Accreditation by registering for a qualification through APU.
• Students under BA (Hons) in International Relations will have the option to also opt-in for a CMI L5 Award in Management and Leadership which will be awarded subject to moderation by CMI.

Requirements

• Entry Requirements
• General Requirements
• Direct Entry to Level 1 of the Degree
• STPM: 2 Passes in STPM with a minimum Grade C (GP 2.0) and a Credit in English at SPM Level or its equivalent.
• A-Level: 2 Passes in A-Level in any 2 subjects, and a Credit in English at SPM/O-Level/ IGCSE or its equivalent.
• UEC: 5 Grade B’s in UEC including English.
• Matriculation/Foundation: Passed Foundation programme (minimum CGPA of 2.0) with a Credit in English at SPM/O-Level/IGCSE or equivalent.
• Entry to Level 2 of the Degree
• Diploma: A Diploma and its equivalent with a minimum CGPA of 2.0 and a Credit in English at SPM/O-Level/IGCSE or its equivalent.
• Diploma in Media & Communication or its equivalent with a minimum CGPA of 2.0.
• English Requirements
• International Students
• IELTS: 5.0
• TOEFL IBT: 40
• Pearson (PTE): 47
• MUET: Band 3.5

Programme Outline

• What We Teach
• This programme is specifically designed to provide students with:
• Familiarity with a broad range of theoretical and conceptual framework of international relations and how they are applied.
• Exposure to global political, economy and sustainability issues and to provide solutions through critical debate.
• Practical and academic skills which include independent judgement, self-reflection, effective communication and an ability to work in teams and with diverse stakeholders.

Degree Level 1

• Students will be equipped with knowledge and understanding of historical events and global development in the field of international relations.
• Besides, students will also be exposed to political ideologies, issues in world politics, the impact of major revolutions in international affairs as well as the issues related to sustainability and environmental politics.
• Common Modules
• Introduction to International Relations
• Malaysia and the World
• Introduction to Politics
• Film Studies and International Relations
• Introduction to Globalisation 4.0
• Global Comparative Politics
• Revolutions, Popular Uprising and Social Movement in World Politics
• Fundamental of Entrepreneurship
• Introduction to Sustainability and Environmental Politics

Degree Level 2

• Students will be exposed to the theoretical and conceptual framework of the discipline, the role of international organisations, the inequality in the global economy, the role of small power in politics and environmental policies.
• Year 2 provides a broad overview of major theoretical debates, political issues and key developments in international relations using academic sources and official documents.
• Students will also be introduced to analytical skills of comparison and develop familiarity and competence in using the skills to inform their understanding in both written and oral presentation.
• Common Modules
• Key Theories of International Relations
• International Organisations
• ASEAN Regionalism
• Foreign Policy Analysis
• International Political Economy
• Small Power Politics
• Research Methods in International Relations
• Environmental Policy, Legislation & Regulation
• Innovation Process

Internship (16 Weeks)

• Students will undertake an Internship/Industrial Training for a minimum period of 16 weeks to prepare them for a smooth transition from the classroom to the working environment.

Degree Level 3

• Students will make use of their learning from previous semesters and industrial experience to extend their familiarity in the field of international relations and refine it with their personal and professional development.
• A final year project requires them to investigate and provide solutions for a real-world problem - they will demonstrate their ability to combine fundamental knowledge, critical thinking and analytical skills to produce a personal achievement portfolio.
• Common Modules
• International Security
• Global Diplomacy
• Transnational Organised Crime
• Investigations Module
• Venture Building
• Conflict Analysis and Resolution
• Refugees and Immigrants
• Sustainable Development Policy and Issues
• Project Module

MQA Compulsory Subjects

• Appreciation of Ethics and Civilisation (M’sian Students)
• Malay Communication Language (Int’l Students)
• Philosophy and Current Issues
• Workplace Professional Skills
• Integrity and Anti-corruption
• Co-Curriculum

Career Path

• Diplomat
• Intelligence Analyst
• Military Officer
• Political Analyst
• Communications Specialist
• Lobbyist
• Researcher
• Academician
• Politician
• NGO Worker
• Activist
• Social Worker
• International Organisation Officer
• Multinational Corporation Executive
• Entrepreneur
• Reporter
• Policy Officer

Fees & Certification

• Malaysian: RM32,200 (Year 1), RM33,300 (Year 2), RM34,300 (Year 3), RM99,800 (Total)
• International: RM33,600 (Year 1), RM34,800 (Year 2), RM36,200 (Year 3), RM104,600 (Total)
• MQA Cert: Programme code: (R/0312/6/0001)(05/29)(MQA/FA11805)