BA International Relations

The BA (Hons) International Relations at the University of Nottingham Malaysia is a three-year programme that explores the political, social, and economic forces shaping global affairs. Students examine key themes such as international security, diplomacy, and global political economy while developing critical thinking, research, and communication skills. With opportunities for independent research and global exposure through study abroad options at the UK and Ningbo campuses, the programme prepares graduates for impactful careers in international organisations, NGOs, government, and academia by bridging theory with real-world application.

Any one of these:

• A Level: BCC (excluding Critical Thinking and General Studies)

• IB Diploma: 24 points overall

• STPM: BC+C+, excluding Pengajian Am

• UEC: 3 B3s and 2 B4s (excluding Bahasa Malaysia and Chinese Language)

• Australian Year 12: ATAR 78, with consideration for relevant subjects

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD): 75% average across 6 subjects

• Canadian Secondary School Diplomas: Acceptable from other provinces, assessed based on university's requirements

• Gaokao (NCEE) & Senior High School Diploma (China): 68% average in Gaokao, 70% minimum in Senior High School Diploma

• Senior School Certificate (CBSE/CISCE - Class XII): 75% average from the best 4 subjects (excluding local language, environmental education, general studies, PE)

• Advanced Placement (AP): 4, 3, 3 in relevant subjects

• Diploma (Local Institutions): Entry to Year 2 assessed case-by-case, typically requiring a GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0

• Foundation (Local Institutions): Requires a GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0

• Nottingham's Foundation Programme: Successful completion required

• BA International Relations with a Language: No prior knowledge of the selected language

English Language Proficiency

• IELTS (Academic): 6.5 (with no less than 6.0 in each element)

• TOEFL (iBT): 90 (minimum 19 in Writing and Listening, 20 in Reading, 22 in Speaking)

• PTE (Academic): 71 (with no less than 65 in each element)

• GCE A Level English Language or English Literature: Grade C

• GCE AS Level English Language or English Literature: Grade C

• SPM: CEFR level B2

• GCSE O-Level: Grade C / 4

• IGCSE (First Language): Grade C / 4

• IGCSE (Second Language): Grade B / 6

• MUET: Band 4.5

• UEC: Grade A2

• IB English A1 or A2 (Standard or Higher Level): 4 points

• IB English B (Higher Level): 4 points

• IB English B (Standard Level): 5 points

• OSSD English (ENG3U/ENG4U): 75%

• CBSE/CISCE Class XII or Class X: 75% overall (with confirmation of English as the medium of instruction)

Notes:

• IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE test results must be less than two years old.

• One Skill Retake is accepted for IELTS.

• IELTS Academic Online, TOEFL iBT Home Edition, and PTE Academic Online are not accepted.

• MUET results are valid for five years.

• Confirmation of English as the medium of instruction required for CBSE/CISCE applicants.

Year 1

Core Modules:

• Approaches to Global Politics

• Governing the World: Introduction to the International System

• Introduction to ASEAN Politics

• Perspectives on Malaysian Politics

• Theory and Practice of Diplomacy

Year 2

Core Modules:

• Global Political Economy and International Development
• International Relations of the Asia Pacific
• International Security

Year 3

Core Modules:

• Dissertation: Politics, History and International Relations (for non-language students)

Optional Modules:

• Food, Hunger and Development
• Nationalism and the State: Themes and Perspectives from Contemporary Southeast Asia
• Policy and Persuasion
• Politics and International Relations of the Middle East
• Regionalism in World Politics: The Case of ASEAN
• Comparative Politics
• Designing International Relations Research
• Political Communication, Public Relations and Propaganda
• Business Economics