Understand global politics, diplomacy, and security
Online only
International Affairs at AFU examines how states, institutions, and non-state actors shape world order. You will analyse conflict, cooperation, human rights, and economic diplomacy through historical and contemporary lenses. Debate-style seminars develop argumentation skills; research methods training prepares you for policy briefs and dissertation work. Edinburgh's diplomatic community provides guest lectures and networking opportunities throughout the programme. BA (Hons) International Affairs is taught as one award, not a list of unrelated modules. The published length is 3 years full-time, and the credit total is 360. Students move from Introduction to IR Theory through Introduction to IR Theory; Global History since 1945; International Political Economy; Research & Academic Writing Skills; Comparative Politics & Government; International Law & Human Rights Foundations, and finish on Honours International Affairs Dissertation. Each course has a question, a method, and a submission. In this field, students apply the method of the subject to a defined problem and defend the result. Reading is a core text, a case or dataset, and a critique. The artefact a marker expects is a submission that shows the method, the evidence, and the limit of the claim. The award is built so that a graduate can do the following in practice: Critically assess theories of international relations and foreign policy Draft policy briefs for governmental and NGO audiences Evaluate humanitarian and development interventions Teaching assumes the student can read a source, attempt a problem before the seminar, and revise after feedback. Attendance at live seminars is part of the design. The capstone or final course must use the methods of the earlier courses; a project that ignores them does not pass. The pages for each course name the topics that are examined. Those topics are the syllabus. A brochure line is not a substitute for them.
Model United Nations and crisis simulation weekends are embedded in Years 2 and 3.
Faculty spotlight
Professor Elena Vasquez researches EU governance; Dr. Marcus Chen specialises in Indo-Pacific security.
Interactive modules, weekly readings, recorded and live seminars, and collaborative discussions with peers worldwide.
Module assignments, proctored examinations, and capstone projects designed to demonstrate mastery of the field.
Modules are assessed through a published mix of coursework, applied projects, and examinations. Exam windows are announced in advance so students in other time zones are not forced into overnight sittings. Alternative arrangements are available where documented.
The published duration is 3 years full-time. Teaching language: English. Actual time-to-complete depends on mode and any recognised prior learning.
This is a fully online award. You study from your country. No student visa and no campus relocation are required.
Degree tuition for this award is published as £0 / tuition-free on the online pathway. Examination or administrative fees may apply at checkout — never an annual tuition invoice. Check the Fees page for any extras.
Requirements are grouped on this page (academic, English, documents). Equivalent qualifications are considered. English may be waived after prior English-medium study.
Assessment is typically a mix of coursework, projects, and examinations. Doctoral awards include a thesis or dissertation and an oral examination. Details sit in the programme specification and module outlines.
Recognition of the award for local employment, professional licence, or ministry attestation is decided by your employer or regulator. Pulse College publishes verification pages for certificates. We do not claim automatic equivalence in every country.
Start an application on this website. Progress is saved from the first step. Admissions: admissions@acapulse.com.
Study online
Online tuition is free. Online examinations are free. There is no exam fee for online study. Dublin studio tuition and studio examinations are charged separately.
Accreditation & recognition
