The English-taught BA in International Affairs (180 ECTS) is a long-standing programme (since 1990) that equips students with the broad-ranging tools and skills to understand, analyse and assess the most pressing issues in national and global politics. The interdisciplinary curriculum is built on the disciplines of politics, economics, law and history and enables students to understand the complex dynamics, core debates, processes, institutions and major challenges of European and International Affairs.

In addition to being taught by dedicated professors, students benefit from the first-hand experience of senior European and international policymakers, diplomats and practitioners. Our International Affairs graduates are well-prepared for various successful career paths, including in international organisations (such as the United Nations, EU and NATO), ministries of foreign affairs, lobby organisations, NGOs and think tanks. Careers of our recent graduates include: diplomacy, politics, research, European administration, political advising and journalism. Graduates from this MA programme can continue their postgraduate studies in a wide range of fields, including in international relations, European studies, public policy, environmental law, international studies, migration studies, business administration, communications, leadership and management. Our graduates who majored in International Affairs have successfully completed graduate studies in a number of prestigious universities including Oxford University, Columbia University, Brown University, the London School of Economics, the London School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), Georgetown University, the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, the University of Edinburgh, Boston University, and many more.

This BA in International Affairs is a programme of which the degree will be awarded by Vesalius College. Vesalius College is part of the Brussels School of Governance, an alliance with the Institute for European Studies, established in February 2021.

Key features:

• Interdisciplinary curriculum (politics, economics, law and history)
• Policy-makers, academics and diplomats bring their experience to the classroom
• Prestigious internship opportunities
• Small, interactive classes with practical focus (incl. Capstone project)
• Brings together students and faculty of truly versatile international backgrounds
• Fall & Spring intakes
• Supported by the extensive expertise of our Office for Teaching, Learning and Innovation to accommodate sophisticated blended teaching methods
• Individual career advice sessions offered to students throughout their academic experience and beyond

Programme structure:

To complete this Bachelor’s degree, a minimum of 180 ECTS (credits or study points) is required. Most students complete the intense and rigorous study programme within 3 years of admission. The programme also requires the writing of a BA thesis.

• Core courses: students start with the core curriculum, a set of courses that develop the relevant skills, knowledge and abilities essential to our distinctive undergraduate programme.
• Major requirements: students also take a range of major requirement courses, such as Global history since 1945, Macroeconomic policy, Humanitarian law, and Comparative political systems.
• Major electives: students choose from a broad range of elective courses, one of which is an internship opportunity with one of our prestigious partner institutions
• Free electives: students also choose free electives from any of the Bachelor-level courses offered, which allows for a wealth of choices that constitutes one of the unique aspects of our BA programmes.

The Brussels School of Governance (BSoG) is an alliance between the Institute for European Studies (°2002) at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Vesalius College (°1987). For decades, both institutions have built up strong reputations as frontrunners in education, research, and academic services on the international scene. Both being associated with Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), one of Belgium’s prime universities with a strong internationalisation focus, the IES and VeCo decided to work together more closely as of 2018. In 2021, they launched the Brussels School of Governance.