Explore the Program
Bachelor of Arts in International Relations
Find out more about our BA in International Relations, the overall curriculum, requirements and learning outcomes.
Study Global Leadership with Our BA in International Relations
At Webster Geneva Campus, the Bachelor of Arts in International Relations is an immersive experience in the world’s largest center for multilateral diplomacy. Located just minutes from the United Nations district, we provide unparalleled access to the driving forces of contemporary politics and the geopolitical history that crafted our modern world. Our program emphasizes critical thinking, cultural awareness and effective communication across various platforms.
You will move beyond theory to witness diplomacy in action. Whether exploring the fundamentals of human rights, geopolitical tensions, or international migration, you will learn from a rotating faculty of expert professors and active practitioners. This is where your curiosity about global affairs transforms into the analytical mastery needed to navigate the international arena. The study program is further enhanced by having guest speakers from the various international bodies and field trips to designated agencies in Geneva.
Why Study International Relations at Webster in Geneva?
Multilateral Diplomacy on Your Doorstep
Learn in Geneva, the European headquarters of the United Nations with the highest concentration of international organizations, international NGOs and diplomatic missions in the world. Over 34,000 international civil servants and diplomats work less than five kilometers from campus, making Webster Geneva a front-row seat to global decision-making.
Practitioner-Led Instruction
Our faculty members bring real-life industry insights from their active roles in the UN, ICRC and global missions directly into the classroom. Because all our faculty members possess both advanced degrees and professional experience, they teach not only about the theories and academic aspects of international relations, but also the realities of world affairs. You will graduate with the analytical tools and practical insights necessary to make an immediate, positive contribution to the global job market.
Active Engagement
The Webster experience is defined by a cosmopolitan peer network of 90-plus nationalities. Beyond the classroom, you can interact with world officials at our annual International Humanitarian and Security Conference, lead initiatives via the Webster Humanitarian Association (a student-led NGO), and gain direct field experience through elite internships.
Dr. Lionel Fatton On Why Webster Stands Out in Switzerland
Dr. Lionel Fatton emphasizes our small class sizes, which foster dynamic debates and unique research-assistant opportunities that are impossible in larger, impersonal institutions.
Transcript
[Music]
Text on screen: Webster Geneva Campus Faculty Spotlight
[Professor Lionel Fatton sits in front of a wall with a Gorlok painted on it and glass windows with a view of a tree.]
Text on screen: Lionel Fatton
Fatton: My name is Lionel Fatton, I am an assistant professor in International Relations. I'm also the Head of the program the BA program in International Relations here at Webster Geneva Campus. And I started working here as an adjunct back in 2016, then became permanent faculty three years ago and now I'm teaching here, researching.
So academically, I graduated from the Geneva Graduate Institute with an MA in International Relations back in 2008. Then moved to Japan, where I had another MA in Security Studies at Waseda University. And then I started a career as a journalist. I was working for the Japanese news agency covering the United Nations here in Geneva. But very soon realized that actually it was not truly my cup of tea, journalism, so I decided to join the PhD program at Sciences Po in Paris, also in International Relations.
And therefore, during this period that lasted like four, five years, I was working as a journalist during the day and doing my PhD during the night, so it was pretty intense for me. And I obtained my PhD in International Relations, well Political Science, in 2016, and then switched gradually to the academic world.
Text on screen: Why Webster Geneva Campus?
Well, the campus I think, one of its biggest advantages is the size — I mean, we have relatively small classrooms — and that's why from my point of view, it's special. And that's why I like to teach here, is that the interaction between the faculty and the student body is pretty dynamic. Just being inside the classroom where we can exchange, have debate, which is something that is extremely difficult to have when you have a university and there are like 200 students in the same room, right.
And second is that also you are able as a teacher to build special relationships with students, those who are motivated. Typically, I work with several students who share I would say my burden in terms of research. So I have a research assistant. We also have an IR assistant who is extremely good in everything that is logistics. And I have other students, even though they don't have for example an official status like research assistant, who are ready to help me. And we have exchanges, we discuss about topics that are happening today.
And I will say this is something, this is a campus that is human, in which you don't have this clear separation that you may have in bigger universities between the faculty body on the one hand and the student body on the other. And therefore, this synergy that is created between, I would say, the two main actors in this campus — students and the faculty body — create something that is extremely special and makes actually I would say the life and campus enjoyable for us faculty members, and I guess for the students, too.
Text on screen: Webster Geneva Campus
“Webster Geneva Campus is the ideal place to study international relations: Surrounded by international organizations and rooted in Geneva's cosmopolitan environment, its U.S.-accredited programs combine the academic rigor and the practical expertise of its faculty to build the leaders of tomorrow.” — Lionel Fatton, Head of the International Relations Program
“Transferring to Webster was hugely positive because, as an International Relations student, I could not have received better exposure to the field in any city other than Geneva.”
Geerija Aggarwal
BA in International Relations and Economics, ’20
More from Alumna Geerija Aggarwal on Webster Geneva Campus
Internship FAQ
Each year, dozens of International Organizations, UN agencies and NGOs advertise internships that are open for students to apply. These include world-renowned foundations as well as small not-for-profits. Webster’s Career Services staff help to match students with available opportunities. In recent years, internship announcements came from UNICEF, the International AIDS Society, UNITAR, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the World Council of Churches, the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, OAK Foundation, and the UN Conference on Trade and Development, to name a few!
Each year, there are options both for paid and for unpaid internships. Some internships require work eligibility (either Swiss/EU citizenship or family resident permits that allow work); yet others are within International Organizations in Geneva from the United Nations and its agencies to specialized NGOs like The Global Fund or the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Academic Internships are organized between the school and the employer; generally, these need to coincide with the academic calendar (Fall semester, Spring semester or Summer term).
Other internship opportunities are sometimes dependent upon the employer’s need. They may have an annual internship program (advertised in advance) or have ‘just-in-time’ needs about which they advertise for immediate placement.
This depends on the needs of the organization. A typical Academic Internship (which
earns 3 credits — equal to one course — toward your graduation) would be 14 hours
of work per week during a 16-week semester.
Interns are often hired for a combination of knowledge (from their major) and skills
they bring, from language skills to media and website development skills. Many students
in IR will pursue electives in media or even marketing, to support their CV as they
develop the tool kit they need to earn an internship or a job after graduation.
What Can You Do with a BA in International Relations?
A bachelor’s degree in International Relations can open up a world of possibilities. Specifically, you can potentially launch one of these exciting careers as an International Relations major:
- Government: Work as a diplomat, foreign service officer or intelligence analyst.
- International organizations: Work for the United Nations, the World Bank or the International Monetary Fund.
- Nonprofit sector: You could work for a nonprofit organization that focuses on international development, human rights or environmental protection.
- Business: Work at or start your own business that operates in multiple countries, such as a multinational corporation or a consulting firm.
- Health: You could work for a health organization that provides care to people in developing countries or conducts research on global health issues.
- Education: Teach internationally or work as a researcher or policy analysts
Graduates can pursue careers in diplomacy, international development and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Other potential roles include policy analysis, foreign service and international business management. The program's interdisciplinary approach prepares students well for dynamic careers in a globalized environment.
From Geneva to the World’s Top Graduate Schools
Our IR graduates are consistently accepted into the world’s most prestigious institutions, including:
- MPhil in Education, Globalization and International Development, Cambridge University, U.K.
- MSc in Political Economy of Late Development, London School of Economics, London, U.K.
- MA in Public Policy, Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, Germany
- MSc in Leadership and Development, King’s College, London
- MA in Peace and Conflict Studies, Oslo University, Norway
- MA in Political Communication, John Hopkins University, U.S.
- Prev. Certificate in International Law, University of Geneva
- MA in International Conflict Studies, King’s College, London, U.K.
Student Testimonial — Fatma Ghayyour
Sharing her reasons for choosing Webster Geneva to pursue dual majors in International Relations and Psychology, Fatma Ghayyour said it's the perfect fit.
Transcript
[Music]
Text on screen: Webster Geneva Campus logo, Student Life, Opinions Academic Environment, Student Testimonials appear on screen in a moving graphic.
Text on screen: Fatma Ghayyour, International Relations and Psychology student
[Ghayyour sits in a classroom at the Webster Geneva Campus near lighted windows showing a view of trees in the background.]
Ghayyour: My name is Fatma Ghayyour. I am 21 years old. I am originally from India — that’s my nationality, but I grew up in Dubai in the Emirates. I'm pursuing my bachelor's degree here at Webster Geneva Campus. I am doing a double major in International Relations and Psychology, with a minor in Media Studies.
Text on screen: Why Webster Geneva Campus?
Ghayyour: I chose Webster for a couple of reasons. While I was doing my research to apply for universities, I kept track of different elements I would want in any university I would go to. Webster Geneva Campus felt like a perfect fit because I want to pursue International Relations, and we are in Geneva, the hub of international relations, so that makes perfect sense. But also, at the same time, I wanted the flexibility to explore other areas. So initially, I joined as an International Relations major, but I slowly realized that I do really like Psychology, and I really like Media Studies, so I added them to my program, as well. So it gave me the flexibility in terms of my academic prospects, but at the same time, it was also in an academic setting that I knew I would thrive in, with smaller classrooms having much better connections with my professors being able to get more time and attention from them, making sure that my learning is the best it can possibly be.
Plus the biggest thing for me was that the university I go to has to be in Geneva, has to be taught in English, and has to be accredited. These were the basic criterium that it definitely met, but it also had a lot of add-ons that made it perfect for me.
Text on screen: Do you feel Webster has been a good fit for you?
Ghayyour: Absolutely, I think that the decision I made to come to Webster Geneva Campus has been probably the best because not only am I studying International Relations with people who have worked in the field, but I’m also being taught by professors who either work currently in international organizations or have worked with them in the past. So I’m getting real-life knowledge from the field basically, about international relations. I think it was a good decision because of that. Being also in Geneva and studying International Relations allowed me to explore international organizations, because it is the city with the highest number of international organizations and NGOs around the world, so it made sense. I get to explore and have trips to the UN, the UN Refugee Agency, and generally have a lot of access to these institutions related to international relations.
But at the same time, being so focused on International Relations as my biggest passion, I didn’t want to ignore my passion for Psychology or Media Studies. So I’m very happy that I can incorporate these different elements and have a very multidisciplinary approach to my education.
Text on screen: How have you found the campus experience?
Student Services — there’s a whole bunch of things that they do. The first thing that comes to mind is that they organize different events for students. These events could be on campus or also off campus, like day trips and outings that we have. So in terms of events on campus it would be fun and entertaining events. The most recent one I can remember is the pizza party we had after we came back from our midterm break, which was a really nice welcome back. We had pizzas, we had fun, and we had a little trivia. It was just overall very nice to once again, meet our friends, even though it had only been a one-week break. It was a nice reunion, and it creates a really nice vibe and it lifts up the student spirit. They do events such as pizza parties, welcome-back barbecues, and also the Thanksgiving potluck that’s organized, and there are a whole bunch of events that they do
Text on screen: Would you recommend attending Webster Geneva Campus?
Ghayyour: Absolutely, I would highly recommend Webster Geneva Campus to anyone who's considering it because, firstly, it teaches in English, which I know a lot of people want that. So it teaches in English, plus it’s accredited, and it’s in Geneva, which is a really nice place to live in. It’s like a small town, which has a lot of importance, and is very international. I would highly recommend this to anyone, especially if there’s anyone considering International Relations or considering that path in life. I think it’s a fantastic place to be.
Text on screen: Graphic of moving words: Campus Life, Opinions Student Life, Webster Geneva Campus logo
[Instrumental music swells and ends.]
Get Started on Your Bachelor of Arts in International Relations
Take the next step toward earning your BA. We are here to help you get started on your program.
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Contact the Admissions Office to Find Out More
If you have more questions about the program, your application or other enrollment-related inquiries, contact our Admissions Office.
Call +41 22 959 8080 or send an email to geneva.admissions@webster.edu.
Find Out More About Webster Geneva Campus at Our Q&A Sessions
- Student life in Geneva
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- Internships and Student Success
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Or anything you wish to ask the Admissions team!
Webster Geneva Campus Virtual Q&A
1 p.m., 03/27/2026
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Webster Geneva Campus Virtual Q&A
1 p.m., 04/24/2026
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Webster Geneva Campus Virtual Q&A
1 p.m., 05/29/2026
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Webster Geneva Campus Virtual Q&A
1 p.m., 06/26/2026
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Webster Geneva Campus Virtual Q&A
1 p.m., 07/31/2026
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