Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration and International Relations
Lusaka, Zambia
BA
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
Key Summary
About: Unicaf University's Bachelor of Arts programme in public administration and international relations covers governance, diplomacy, policy studies and related social sciences. It teaches theory, research methods, statistics, data analysis and ethical frameworks. You’ll build critical thinking, analytical skills, adaptive problem-solving and knowledge of historical and contemporary events shaping international relations and public sector practice.
Career Outcomes: Graduates can pursue roles in public service, diplomacy, policy analysis, international organisations, NGOs, research, advocacy, programme management and consultancy. They can also work in governance, development, political risk, public affairs, legislative support and data-informed policy roles. They draw on analysis, research and ethics.
The aims of the programme are as follows:
- To provide sufficient knowledge of the public administration and international relations disciplines including their main theoretical frameworks and interrelationships with other social science disciplines.
- To equip students with an ability to deploy skills and knowledge in a range of contemporary themes surrounding the applications of public administration and international relations.
- To encourage scholarship and research in the advancing fields of international relations and public administration.
- To provide a solid understanding of current and historical events that have shaped international relations.
- To explain the importance of being aware and respectful of ethical issues and responsible citizenship in the professional context of public administration.
- To equip students with alternative moral and ethical frameworks for analysing and assessing contemporary debates related to public administration and international relations.
- To produce graduates who think critically, innovatively and adaptively in the light of dynamic social, economic, and political changes.
- To motivate students to participate in community life as active citizens.
- To develop students’ research and analytical skills including their capacity to construct logical arguments and think critically.
- To analyse political, social, economic and legal factors that influence international relations and public administration practice.
- To enable students to think as researchers, developing a critical eye for statistics and data analysis.
Foundation course
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
At the end of the programme, the student will be expected to:
- Apply the public administration theories, principles and ideas to current real world situations.
- Describe the essential processes of public administration such as human and financial resource organization and management, policy-making, public budgeting and project management.
- Apply diplomacy, negotiation and conflict resolution strategies to real-world scenarios.
- Explain key fundamental ideas and concepts in international relations, including how power is gained and exercised globally, as well as how states interact with non-state actors.
- Place particular political events in broader historical, cross-national, and theoretical contexts.
- Determine the cross-cultural context of public and international organizations operating in a global setting.
- Describe the recent developments in the political, social and economic spheres and the ways these impact different countries.
- Explain the mechanisms and actors involved in the formation of public policies, as well as the impact of those policies.
- Explain key aspects of international relations such as state power, systems of governance, diplomacy, security and conflicts across different states.
- Identify the political, economic, legal, and social settings in which public policy and administration operate.
- Explain how globalization impacts the areas of international relations and public administration.
- Critically evaluate national or international policies or power dynamics.
- Describe the issues and opportunities emerging from delivering public goods and services in a diverse society.
- Coordinate effectively with others on a project.
Unicaf University is in partnership with the Unicaf Scholarship programme which is one of the most generous scholarship programmes available. The programme supports eligible students and provides opportunities for studies towards the programmes offered by Unicaf University at a fraction of the cost. Unicaf has already offered more than US $100 million worth of scholarships to students helping them to study towards internationally recognised qualifications. The primary objective of the Unicaf Scholarship Programme is to make high-quality education affordable and accessible. Supported programmes have a strong professional and vocational focus delivered with an international perspective to ensure that students are prepared for work in the global marketplace and receive a return on their education investment.