The BA programme “International Relations and Global Studies” builds on two fields of study: “International Relations” and “Public Policy and Social Sciences” that function as two majors. The programme is a unique combination of Russian expertise and international standards, ensuring a high level of academic rigour. It values problem-oriented approach focusing on real-life questions raised in the fields of international relations and public policy. Many courses are taught by practitioners and experts from the fields that are covered by the curriculum. The programme is taught entirely in English, and all courses employ best international practices, allowing for a seamless transition into the global workforce. Each student can tailor their individual curriculum to develop skills that would best suit their professional goals. 

All students follow courses on international relations, public policy, social sciences and gain profound understanding of how society and politics operate in East and South-East Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, Eurasia, Europe and the USA. They receive intensive methodological training, develop various soft skills, and master professional communication in English. Students also learn another foreign language (to pick from 5 European and 5 Oriental languages), and get training in mathematics, economics and data analysis, which prepares them for successful competition in the corporate labour market, as well as for civil service.

Students are free to choose their own area of specialization. Starting from the second year, they can pick one of the three educational tracks: “International Business and Finance”, “Strategic Communications Management” or “Public Policy”. This theoretical knowledge transferred by best experts and practitioners from the respective fields is then solidified through a series of projects and the mandatory internship involving all IRGS students, which facilitates their integration in respective communities of practice worldwide. In addition, students develop various soft skills relevant to career planning and jobhunting strategies.

IRGS students take courses in international relations, public policy and social sciences, gaining strong methodological and analytical training, developing communication skills, consolidating their command of English and studying a second foreign language. The curriculum also places emphasis on mathematics and economics, preparing graduates for careers both in the corporate sector and in public administration.

Students may choose a specialization, focusing either on the economic track (business, trade, management, finance) or on the socio-political track (political technologies, media, public relations, lobbying, public administration). They also develop practical skills in career planning and job search.

The International Relations and Global Studies (IRGS) programme offers graduates a wide range of educational and professional opportunities in Russia and in the global market. Modern applied specializations, language training, and practical preparation aligned with the current international agenda, together with a core curriculum that evolves in response to global developments, equip our students and graduates to enter the international labour market with confidence.

Career prospects extend to expert-analytical, managerial, diplomatic, and foreign economic roles in leading international and Russian companies, public authorities, and international organizations. The main career trajectories include corporate management, international relations and negotiations, public service, trade and economic operations, business, public relations, advertising, and media. The programme’s high academic standards and English-language instruction enable graduates to apply for master’s degrees at leading universities worldwide. Another pathway is an academic career with the goal of obtaining a PhD or equivalent.

The professional competencies set out in the programme profile are specific to graduates of this programme. They are defined on the basis of professional standards relevant to the graduates’ career fields, as well as through analysis of labour market requirements, review of international best practices, and consultations with leading employers and industry associations in sectors where our graduates are in demand. In addition to these programme-specific competencies, graduates of HSE University also acquire universal competencies (as defined in Part I of the Educational Standard) and general professional competencies (as defined in the Educational Standard profiles for the relevant fields of study).

The combination of all universal, general professional, and professional competencies acquired by the graduate ensures their ability to carry out professional activities in at least one field or area of professional practice, or to perform tasks corresponding to at least one type of professional activity as defined in the Educational Standard.

PC-1
Able to identify key trends in the development of the global economy and international relations, based on their complex and systemic interconnections.

PC-2
Able to provide a comprehensive profile of a country and/or region, identify and explain the main trends in its development, drawing on historical, political, socio-economic, demographic, cultural, and other factors.

PC-3
Able to analyse the factors influencing a state’s domestic and foreign policy, and determine and explain the dynamics and patterns of their change.

PC-4
Able to apply, in the study of political and international issues, the conceptual and terminological framework, core approaches, theories, and methods of the social sciences, as well as specialised approaches and methods in the field of international relations.

PC-5
Using modern methods and approaches, able to conduct professional communication, identify the most relevant areas for international cooperation, and develop such cooperation in political, business, humanitarian, cultural, and other fields.

The Major includes the Core Professional Block and the Elective Professional Block.

The Core Professional Block includes key compulsory courses on the methodology and methods of research in international relations; economic and political history; history of international relations; theory of international relations; political science; international law; regional and country studies; international political economy; as well as courses in the methodology and methods of the social sciences, history of social and political thought, sociology, public policy, political communications, intercultural communication, country studies, regional studies, and related fields.

It also comprises two English language courses (in the first year of study) and a second foreign language (throughout the programme), chosen by students from the following options: Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, Turkish, Farsi, German, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, and, additionally, Russian for international students.

The block also includes “Area Studies” – courses devoted to the historical, political, social, and economic development of one of five political and geographical regions: the USA, the Middle East, Latin America, Southeast and East Asia, or Africa (selected by the student).

The Elective Professional Block includes the research seminars, the elective courses divided into several blocks (from year 2 to year 4), as well as the courses of the three educational tracks / specializations (to be chosen by the students).

Research Seminars (“Research Seminar "Academic Writing" (32h)”,”Research Seminar "Logic of Inquiry and Key Research Methods in International Relations and Public Policy" (32h)”, “Research Seminar "Advanced Acadеmic Writing" (24h)”; “Research Seminar "Term paper research and writing workshop" (40h)”, “Research  Seminar "Policy Briefs and Policy Papers" (16h)”, “Research Seminar "BA research and writing workshop" (36h)”) guide students step by step through the development of their academic and analytical skills. Starting with the foundations of academic writing and research design, moving through methodology and writing workshops for term papers and policy briefs, and culminating in full support for the Bachelor’s thesis. The seminars are designed to build confidence, structure and independence in research across all stages of the programme.

Elective courses ( eg, “Migration Policy”, “Public Diplomacy”, “International Conflicts”,  (from 40 to 56 contact hours, offered from the second to the fourth year)) give students a deeper understanding of global governance, international law and diplomacy, while region-focused subjects like “Doing Business and GR in Africa”, “Urban Policy in BRICS Countries”, and “EAEU Law” link academic study to practical contexts. Alongside training in communication and negotiation, these courses prepare students to address complex global challenges across different sectors. Courses such as “Introduction to International Development”, “Development Management”, “Business and Management in Global Context” examine the main approaches to international development and global business, showing how economic strategies, institutions, and management practices operate in varied regional and political environments.

Students chose one of the three educational tracks after the first year of study: “International Business and Finance”, “Strategic Communications Management” or “Public Policy”. Each educational track spans three years of study (2-4) and consists of 7 courses (total 25 credits).

Internships include Professional Internship, Project Internship and Research Internship. Their detailed description is provided in the Programme of Practical Training/Internships with versions customized for each intake year (from 2022 to 2025) and available as separate files on the Degree Programme website.

Professional Internship takes the form of Work Experience Internship (3^rd year of study).

The Work Experience Internship is designed to help students strengthen their professional skills in research, project management, and analytical work. Throughout the internship, students apply their theoretical knowledge in practice, build hands-on experience in independent research, and work on real-world projects in international relations and public policy. They also gain exposure to international cooperation and related fields, further developing their expertise.

Project Internship includes mandatory and elective projects.

The Project Internship (elective projects) is designed to build on students’ knowledge, strengthen their skills, and develop professional competencies by working on a real-world task. The outcome should be a precise product whether it’s an intellectual concept, an information resource, a service or something else.

 “Academic Reading”/ “Academic Reading: Advanced” projects are mandatory projects conducted in English for first- and second-year students of the International Relations and Global Studies undergraduate programme. Its primary aim is to engage students in slow, thoughtful reading of a book on political, social, or economic issues, with the second-year Academic Reading: Advanced component offering a more in-depth and complex level of analysis.

Research Internship includes Research Term Papers during the second and third years of study, and BA Thesis preparation (4^th year of study).

Term papers (hereinafter TP) are completed by students of the programme during their second and third years of study. In the second year, the TP is conducted exclusively as a research project (literature review). In the third year, students can choose between two formats: a research TP (focused on independent academic inquiry) or an analytical TP (policy paper focused on information analysis and synthesis with a view to provide policy recommendations).

Students prepare their BA Thesis during their fourth year of study.

The “General courses” module includes the following courses: safe living basics, physical culture as well as five courses from the general university pool, which are determined by the academic supervisor of the programme (“Foundations of Russian Statehood”, “Russian History”, “Introduction to Law”, “Philosophy”, “Economic Theory”).

The module "Data Culture" includes disciplines from the field of Data Culture of the basic level.

The module “Final State Certification” is the final element of the programme curriculum that requires writing as well as publicly defending a graduation qualification thesis (BA Thesis) in English on a research topic related to the study of international relations and/or public policy.

This degree programme of HSE University is adapted for students with special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities. There is a specially designed Physical Education course available for such students (Syllabus of the adapted Physical Education course). Special assistive technology and teaching aids are used for collective and individual learning of students with SEN and disabilities. The specific adaptive features of the programme are listed in each subject's full syllabus and are available to students through the online Learning Management System.

All documents of the degree programme are stored electronically on this website. Curricula, calendar plans, and syllabi are developed and approved electronically in corporate information systems. Their current versions are automatically published on the website of the degree programme. Up-to-date teaching and learning guides, assessment tools, and other relevant documents are stored on the website of the degree programme in accordance with the local regulatory acts of HSE University.

I hereby confirm that the degree programme documents posted on this website are fully up-to-date.

Vice Rector Sergey Yu. Roshchin

Summary of Degree Programme 'International Programme 'International Relations and Global Studies''