Bachelor in International Affairs (BIA)
St. Gallen, Switzerland
BA
DURATION
3 years
LANGUAGES
German, English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
About: The Bachelor in International Affairs (BIA) at The University of St.Gallen (HSG) covers political science, economics, business administration and law. HSG has triple-crown accreditation and ranked 9th in the Financial Times European Business School Ranking 2024. After an Assessment Year you spend four semesters on compulsory subjects and core electives, with exchange options, internships and practical credits that link theory and practice and build an international portfolio.
Career Outcomes: Graduates enter diplomacy, international organizations, public policy, NGOs, consulting and international business. Roles include policy analyst, foreign service officer, program manager and legal adviser. These paths use skills in international relations, economic policy, negotiation and cross-border strategy. Diplomacy, international organizations, public policy, consulting.
Why Major International Affairs
Students develop a fundamental understanding of how states and markets operate, as well as how they interact with one another. They build a strong foundation in political science, economics, business administration, and law. Our graduates are well-prepared to work at the intersection of the public and private sectors.
- The BIA programme embraces an international perspective and offers students a variety of opportunities—through compulsory courses, electives, exchange semesters, or internships—to gain broad international experience.
- Our major in International Affairs places a strong emphasis on linking theory with practice. Internships, practical credits, and specialised courses provide numerous chances to gain hands-on experience during your studies, allowing you to build a distinctive and well-rounded portfolio.
The Major in International Affairs is an independent, interdisciplinary degree programme. After successfully completing the Assessment Year, you will spend four semesters studying the Compulsory Subjects and Core Electives in Economics, Political Science, Law, and Business Administration as part of this Major.
The Major in International Affairs builds on the Assessment Year and comprises a total of 120 ECTS credits. It is structured for a standard duration of four semesters. Depending on your course selection, the Bachelor's programme can primarily be completed in either English or German. However, a minimum of 9 ECTS credits must be earned in the opposite language to ensure bilingual competence.
The curriculum is divided into three components: core studies (84 ECTS credits), contextual studies (24 ECTS credits), and the Bachelor's thesis (12 ECTS credits). While the core studies develop subject-specific expertise in economics, the contextual studies are designed to enhance social and cultural competencies.
The recommended semester plan for compulsory courses serves as guidance. Especially when planning for an exchange semester, it may be advisable to take certain courses in a different order.
Compulsory subjects
Your studies in the Major International Affairs consist of three different areas: the compulsory area, the compulsory elective and the elective area.
Building on the University of St.Gallen's Assessment Year (60 ECTS), in which students get acquainted with the basics of economics and legal studies, the Major in International Affairs focuses on Compulsory Subjects (48 ECTS), which ensures the necessary fundamental formation in the four core disciplines. Additionally, the programme offers three modules of Core Electives, which deal with integrative thinking, specific global challenges and research on selected areas in International Affairs (24-36 ECTS).
The following courses are compulsory and include contact and self-study.
Courses
- Comparative Politics / Vergleichende Politikwissenschaft
- Politische Theorie
- Macroeconomics II / Makroökonomik II
- International Law / Völkerrecht
- Public Management
- Quantitative Methods / Quantitative Methoden
- Accounting, Controlling, Auditing
- International Relations
- European Governance / Regieren in Europa
- International Economics
- Qualitative Methods / Qualitative Methoden
This course offering reflects the current planning status. The complete list of courses is available in the official Online Course Catalogue.
Core Electives
The Major in International Affairs offers you a broad choice of core electives. As a BIA student, you may choose 24 - 36 ECTS of Core Electives, comprising Integrative Fundamentals, Global Challenges and a Spring Project:
Integrated Fundamentals
Interdisciplinarity and breadth: These courses expand on the foundational compulsory subjects, enhancing your ability to identify connections across disciplines and approach political and economic challenges through a more integrated lens. You can choose between 12 and 24 ECTS credits within the Integrative Fundamentals module.
Contextual studies
The Contextual studies complement your specialized studies and are compensated with 24 ECTS credits.
Contextual studies represent a key element of the programme’s curriculum. They promote interdisciplinary learning and specifically support the development of students’ social and cultural competencies. This component encourages holistic, “out-of-the-box” thinking and includes courses from both the focus areas and the skills area. In addition to broadening academic perspectives, contextual studies also equip students with practical abilities such as presentation techniques, negotiation strategies, and programming skills. The cross-cultural and interdisciplinary courses offered in the focus areas are highly diverse and can be aligned with the Major in Economics. In the skills area, you will gain complementary knowledge and practical tools essential for success in the corporate sector.
Bachelor's Thesis
The Bachelor's thesis (12 ECTS credits) is an academic paper in which you explore a topic of your choice in depth. In writing your thesis, you will apply appropriate research designs and adhere to established academic principles.
The University of St.Gallen is renowned as one of Europe's leading business schools, consistently ranked among the top ten by the Financial Times. But is it the right fit for you? Explore your possibilities by joining our Bachelor’s and Master’s Open Days
Your Profile
The Major in International Affairs is designed for students with a strong international outlook, marked by intellectual openness and a critically curious mindset.
Assuming responsibility for society
Are you ready to fully dedicate yourself to your studies and take on responsibility in society, politics, and the economy? Our challenging and rigorous BIA programme is intended for students who are drawn to:
- the complex, often international issues that arise at the intersection of government, business, and law—hallmarks of our contemporary world;
- the diverse academic and societal perspectives that are essential for a solution-oriented analysis of these challenges and competing interests;
- a degree programme that provides a wide range of opportunities for hands-on involvement and real-world experience.
