BA in International Affairs

The Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs equips students with the broad-ranging tools and skills to understand, analyze 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. Students not only acquire the knowledge needed for a career in International Affairs but also develop strong analytical and critical thinking skills as well as the ability to apply theories and concepts learned to real-life problems. In addition to being taught by dedicated professors, students benefit from the first-hand experience of senior European and international policymakers, diplomats and practitioners. By drawing on world-class academics and highly experienced policymakers, students gain fundamental insight into both the theoretical and practical, hands-on dimensions of politics, economics, and law. Prestigious internships at the offices of major Brussels-based institutions, NGOs and global think tanks complement and deepen the practical aspects of their studies.

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.

The Brussels School of Governance (BSoG) is the alliance between the Institute for European Studies VUB (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) and Vesalius College (VeCo). For decades, both institutions have built up strong reputations as frontrunners in education, research, and academic services on the international scene. The BSoG provides a unique educational experience, according to our STEP approach: our programmes are Student-centred, have a solid Theoretical base, their educational Excellence is guaranteed, and they are strongly Practice-oriented. It makes our School a prominent hub for the study of European and global governance, from the BA right up to the PhD level.

Within the Brussels School of Governance alliance, all Institute for European Studies and Vesalius College programmes are accredited by the Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organisation (NVAO).

The BSoG’s multidisciplinary research activities focus on some of the most urgent governance challenges confronting policymakers in Europe as well as elsewhere in the world in years to come. They cover four broad policy areas: the sustainability transition; the impact of migration on European, national and regional identity; the shifts in political and military competition between the great powers and their implications for European military defence and diplomacy; and the way that new digital technologies challenge existing organisational and management habits and routines, question education and participative democracy more broadly defined.

At the Brussels School of Governance, we want to offer our students not only valuable academic preparation but also the opportunity to test career options, gain practical experience and build relationships with professionals and organisations in their areas of interest, before they graduate. After graduation, BSoG students typically secure positions in various public and private institutions and organisations across the globe, such as the European and international institutions, government administrations, telecom companies, financial institutions, law and accountancy firms, media companies, etc.

The Brussels School of Governance is located at Pleinlaan 5 in the University District of Brussels and it has a vibrant student lifestyle. Our campus is easily accessible by bus, train, tram, or metro, the area has everything to meet students’ needs including affordable housing, two on-campus cafeterias, libraries, banks, shops, markets, restaurants, bars, live entertainment venues, organised athletic activities, and state-of-the-art sports facilities.