B.Sc. in International Studies

The Department’s educational aim is to deliver bachelor degrees in the field of International Studies designed to:

• Provide students with the knowledge and skills to analyze political, cultural and economic developments at the national and global level.
• Develop students’ interpersonal, analytical, decision-making and communication skills to enable them to play a key role in implementing policy solutions in an increasingly globalized world.
• Foster within students the ability to question and weigh the ethical implications of different policy proposals on all members of society regionally, nationally and internationally.

At the completion of the program, graduates are expected to:

• Identify and analyze socio-economic problems at different levels of governance through the application of theoretical and practical knowledge of international relations, public policy and strategic studies.
• Develop policy solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
• Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
• Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in the exercise of public authority and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of government decisions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
• Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
• Evaluate and summarize information from diverse and reliable sources, while identifying and differentiating between primary and secondary source material.
• Demonstrate applied research and practical experience through independent study and work experience in a public section institution, international organization, private business or non-governmental organization.

The course structure of the International Studies Program is divided as follows:

Requirements	Type	Number of Courses	Credit Hours
General Education	Compulsory	13	40-41
Program Courses	Compulsory	25	75
Free Elective	Compulsory	2	6
Total		40	121-122

The study plan summarizes the course’s subject requirements and indicates when planned subjects should be studied.

With a degree in International Studies, you can work as:

• Diplomat:Represent and protect your nation’s interests abroad in the areas of politics, trade and consular services.
• Political Analyst:Interpret various political developments, analyze laws, public policies and government decisions before advising government official, political parties or the media.
• Foreign Affairs Analyst: Analyze and developments at the regional and international level before making recommendations on how these affect the work of your organization.
• Policy Advisor:Track and report policy developments of the state, regional states, donors and international organizations before making recommendations on how these effect your organization’s work.
• Lobbyist: Work for an association, corporation, or non-profit organization to convince government members to make a decision that would benefit the organization or company you represent.
• Journalist: Collect, verify, produce, distribute and communicate information regarding current events, trends, and issues associated with government policy.
• Politician: Represent your constituents’ best interests by seeking to influence public policy and effectively communicate government policy.
• Communication specialist: Prepare detailed media reports, press releases, social media campaigns for a government, corporation or non-profit organization.
• Intelligence Analyst: work in the military, national security department, or police to collect and analyse operational intelligence data, compile mission reports and make security policy recommendations.
• Security Advisor: advise on all safety and security related matters including the planning and implementation of projects, review projects proposals from a security perspective, analyse data to form proposals.
• Risk Manager: analyse and communicate risk policies and processes for an organisation in the public or private sector.

You can set your study pace according to your circumstances and convenience:

• Minimum 3.5 years, upon the successful completion of 12 courses per year.
• Standard 4 years, upon the successful completion of 10 courses per year.
• Maximum 5 years, upon the successful completion of 8 courses per year.

* This study duration does not include English language courses.

Academic Year Breakdown:

Semester	Start Date	End Date	Duration	Type
Fall	30 August	6 December	14 weeks	Mandatory
Spring	10 January	22 April	14 weeks	Mandatory
Summer	June	August	8 weeks	Optional

* The start and end dates are subject to changes.

Semester:

Instructional period of 14 weeks plus a final examination period offered twice a year (referred to as Fall and
Spring semester). Additional instructional periods include intersessions and Summer sessions.

The American University of Kurdistan’s annual tuition fees per academic program is 8000$ (for 30 credits).
However, self-funded students can benefit from a newly implemented 15% discount on the tuition fees. This
discount does not apply to international students. For self-funded students and those awarded Merit
Scholarships, the below tuition rates apply:

Baccalaureate %	Annual tuition fees payment	Annual tuition fees payment after 15% discount (NEW)	Scholarship
98.0 – 100	$0	–	Mustafa Barzani Merit Scholarship
90.00 – 97.99	$2,500	$2,150	Chairman Masrour Barzani Merit Scholarship*
80.00 – 89.99	$5,000	$4,250	Board of Trustees Merit Scholarship*
<79.99	$8,000	$6,800
International Students	$10,000	Not Applicable

• The above rates are applicable for students register for courses at AUK from January, 2021.
• Annual tuition is based on registration as a full-time student and the successful completion of 30
  credits.
• Only a limited number of Merit
  Scholarships are available.
• The American University of Kurdistan accepts students receiving Political Prisoners Aid and Martyrs
  Aid. Learn more about how you
  can finance your education.
• Tuition fees installments are paid per semester.
• Other fees are applicable.

National students graduated from one of the following:

• High School: Arts/Science

Learn more about admissions requirements for International Students, Transfer of Credits and Readmission.

• Students must be high school or Institute graduates.
• Proof of English Proficiency. Learn more about our English
  language requirements and exemptions.

Students majoring in International Studies, have the option to earn a minor degree in the below programs:

• Accounting & Finance Management
• Business Management
• Oil & Gas Management
• Computer Science & Information Technology
• International Studies
• Public Policy
• Security & Strategic Studies

In case of inquires you can email our admissions office on admissions@auk.edu.krd
and/or call us on 07517414102/07517414103 (Viber/WhatsApp), during working hours from Sunday to Thursday, 9:00 am – 2:00pm