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elte.hu/en/international-relations-ba 

Overview

Our Bachelor degree in International Relations offers students the opportunity to develop specialized knowledge in international politics, security studies, EU politics, ethnic conflict, global justice and human rights. It enables them to understand and analyze complex political and social dynamics that go beyond state borders and cultural boundaries. The structure of the programme offers the opportunity for students – following introductory courses in the first year – to choose from a wide range of elective seminars.

This programme is recommended to applicants who are interested in social sciences and politics, and are particularly keen to understand how the modern world works, also how globalization has affected our societies. The programme offers basic introduction to the social sciences, from Sociology to Law and Economics with a special focus on International Relations, and thereby prepares students to continue their studies for the MA programmes in the field of social sciences in general, also in international relations and politics in particular.

This programme enables students to pursue a career in fields where a good knowledge and comprehension of the globalized world is required, starting from journalism, public services and international organizations to private companies.

Strength of programme:
In addition to giving students grounding in history and theory, the BA in International Studies teaches future graduates about international politics, the European Union and equips them with practical knowledge that can be used in almost all countries around the world.
The knowledge acquired during the undergraduate courses lays the foundation for the MA in International Studies and other postgraduate qualifications in social sciences. Applicants will ideally be interested in social sciences and in the links between different countries, peoples and institutions and be keen to use their language skills.
We encourage our students to work independently and to solve tasks in teams. We rely on modern methodologies – including simulations – and we believe that adaptability and self-reflexivity are crucial in today’s fast changing world. Our aim is to give our students skills that they can be readily used wherever they seek employment after graduation.

Leading professors of the programme:
Professor Andrew Richard Ryder FRSA

Entry requirements:
Applicants need to submit their secondary school certificate and records of final two years in secondary school.

Additional documents to be submitted:

  • Motivation letter in English
  • Copy of the main pages of the passport (needs to be valid)
  • Language certificate (If the applicant has one)

The procedure of the entrance examination

Applicants with a complete application package will be notified about the exact time and date of their online interviews after the nomination deadline. It is the applicant’s responsibility to have technically suitable conditions for the interview from their side.
The institutional admission scores are based on a total evaluation of the academic excellence (based on the submitted documents) and the results of the entrance exam. The entrance exam seeks to assess the general and professional knowledge and interest of the applicant.

Applicants are expected to be prepared taking questions regarding the compulsory admission materials (see: Recommended Readings) from the side of admission committee composed of a professor, a lecturer and a student representative.

A successful oral entrance exam is the perquisite of getting admitted. If the applicant fails the oral entrance exam, the application will be rejected.

Entrance exam:
Yes

Type of entrance exam:
Oral

Entrance exam location:
Online

Recommended reading for the oral exam:

John Baylis, Steve Smith, Patricia Owens: The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations

Preparatory year available:
No

Specialisation year available:
No

Contact person:
International Office, Eszter Borbála Bagi
E-mail: international@tatk.elte.hu

Programme structure

Click here to find out more about the structure of the programme.

Career opportunities

The Department offers courses in international studies with a special focus on the European Union and Central Europe. During the three years of studies, we equip our students with the necessary theoretical and historical basics to understand the processes of global development. The skills our students acquire enable them to handle challenges in an increasingly globalized world both at private and public institutions. Our graduates may seek employment at financial and commercial institutions, in the public sector, in state and municipal administration, and also in the non-profit and non-governmental sectors.

The undergraduate programme enables students to apply for a master’s degree in International Relations or in any other area of social sciences.

Job examples:

  • Foreign Policy Analyst
  • Lobbyist
  • Project Coordinator (public/private/non-profit)
  • Political Advisor, and a variety of administrative jobs in the state bureaucracy and at private enterprises
  • Civil Society and Development Positions

Apply now! Academic year 2025/26
Application deadline
31 Jan 2025, 14:00:00
Central European Time
Studies commence
1 Sept 2025
Apply now! Academic year 2025/26
Application deadline
31 Jan 2025, 14:00:00
Central European Time
Studies commence
1 Sept 2025
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