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Zayed University/Programmes/Bachelor of Arts in International Studies

Bachelor of Arts in International Studies

BAUndergraduateSocial Sciences

About This Programme

An international studies degree with concentrations spanning international relations, Middle East and Gulf studies, and political economy and development.

Course Highlights

  • Taught at Zayed University, ranked #588 in the QS World University Rankings 2027
  • American-style credit-hour degree taught in English
  • UAE nationals are generally government-sponsored

What You'll Study

Taught full time, in person, on an American-style credit-hour system, primarily in English.

Year 1 - University Foundations (all concentrations)

  • FYE100 Academic Foundations and Development3 credits
  • FYE110 Reasoning with Data3 credits
  • FYE120 Islamic Culture3 credits
  • FYE140 Critical Analysis and Composition3 credits
  • FYE150 Fundamentals of Innovation and Entrepreneurship3 credits
  • FYE105 Workplace Readiness and Professional Skills3 credits
  • FYE125 Emirates Studies3 credits
  • FYE145/146 Arabic Concepts (Native / Non-Native Speakers)3 credits
  • FYE155 Digital Humanities3 credits
  • FYE195 Artificial Intelligence Essentials and Applications3 credits

Year 2 - Major Core (all concentrations)

  • HIS251 World History3 credits
  • ANT261 Introduction to Culture and Society3 credits
  • SOC200 Social and Economic Trends in the Gulf (or HIS201 History of the United Arab Emirates)3 credits
  • HIS203 History of the Modern Middle East3 credits
  • HIS204 History of the Twentieth Century3 credits
  • POL227 Introduction to Political Science3 credits
  • SOC326 Comparative Intellectual Traditions3 credits

Optional modules

  • ZU Electives (3 in Year 2)

Years 3-4 - Shared Upper-Division Core (all concentrations)

  • ANT328 Critical Thinking3 credits
  • HSS366 Applied Research Methods3 credits
  • POL325 Comparative Political Systems3 credits
  • SOC374 Comparative Sociology3 credits
  • HSS353 Politics of Identity (or ANT362 Popular Cultures)3 credits
  • POL335 International Organizations3 credits
  • ARA345 Advanced Arabic Skills3 credits
  • HSS497 Senior Seminar: Modernity and its Challenges3 credits
  • HSS397 Special Topics3 credits
  • HSS490 Internship3 credits
  • FLS361 World Cinemas (or ANT362 Popular Cultures)3 credits
  • World Regions elective: ANT430 Americas / ANT431 Europe / ANT432 Middle East / ANT433 South Asia / ANT434 East Asia / ANT435 Africa / ANT436 Mediterranean3 credits

Concentration: International Relations

Distinctive concentration courses (each 3 CH)

  • POL330 International Law and World Politics3 credits
  • POL331 Principles of International Relations3 credits
  • POL332 International Relations in the Gulf Region3 credits
  • POL333 Foreign Relations of the United States3 credits
  • POL336 Foreign Policy of Emerging Powers3 credits

Concentration: Middle East / Gulf Studies

Distinctive concentration courses (each 3 CH)

  • HIS321 Heritage of the Gulf (or ADR321 Material Culture of the United Arab Emirates)3 credits
  • POL332 International Relations in the Gulf Region3 credits
  • HIS381 Legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahayan3 credits
  • ANT385 Bedouin Society (or ANT455 People and Cultures of the Middle East)3 credits
  • HIS401 Political History of the UAE3 credits
  • ANT432 World Regions: Middle East3 credits

Concentration: Political Economy and Development

Distinctive concentration courses (each 3 CH)

  • ANT302 Cities: Culture, Space, Sustainability3 credits
  • POL311 Comparative Social Policy3 credits
  • POL334 The Politics of Oil3 credits
  • SOC341 Development and Underdevelopment (or SOC423 Issues in National Development)3 credits
  • POL343 International Political Economics3 credits
  • POL352 The State, Society, and the Economy3 credits

Entry Requirements

Academic: High-school graduation with the subject grades required for the major (for example 80% in Grade 12 Mathematics and English for quantitative majors).
English: EmSAT English 1250, Academic IELTS 5.5, or TOEFL iBT 71.

UAE nationals are eligible for full government sponsorship; A-Levels, IB and BTEC are accepted.

Careers

Graduates pursue careers in government, policy, international organisations, research and the social sector, or continue to postgraduate study.

Accreditation & Professional Recognition

Zayed University holds US institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and national accreditation from the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA).

Programme Details

Award

Bachelor of Arts

Start Date

August (Fall intake)

Typical Offer

High-school graduation with the subject grades required for the major (for example 80% in Grade 12 Mathematics and English for quantitative majors).

Duration

4 years

Qualification

Bachelors

Subject Area

Social Sciences

Campus

Abu Dhabi & Dubai

Course Type

Bachelor of Arts

Study Pattern

Full time

Delivery Format

In person

Tuition Fee

AED 75,000/yr

Undergraduate applicants apply online (UAE nationals via the Ministry of Education portal; others via ZU e-services), submit their documents and pay the AED 250 application fee.

EnquireView Zayed University
Next intakes
AugJan

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Talem

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© 2025-2026 Talem EdHub Portal. All rights reserved.