Bachelor in International Relations and Sustainability

Bachelor in International Relations and Sustainability is one of 4 English-taught Sustainable Development programmes at bachelor’s level in the register, offered by 4 institutions. 3 of them list an annual fee for students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland, from EUR 727 to EUR 1,453. 1 is at a public university, where EU, EEA and Swiss students pay no tuition within the standard duration plus two semesters.

This is a three-year Bachelor of Arts taught entirely in English at Modul University Vienna, a private university on the Kahlenberg in Vienna. It comes to 180 ECTS across six semesters, and classes are kept to around 30 students. The programme puts international relations and sustainability in one degree: global governance, international law, climate policy and development sit alongside political theory, economics and statistics.

What you study

The first year builds the base. Semester 1 covers International Relations, Fundamentals of Political Theory, Mathematics and Statistics I, Fundamentals of Social Sciences, Academic Writing and Fundamentals of Sustainable Development. Semester 2 adds Comparative Regionalism and EU Law, Mathematics and Statistics II, Societal and Environmental Transitions, International Organizations, Ethics in International Management and Space and Society, the social dimension of sustainability.

The second year goes deeper into sustainability, governance and political economy. Semester 3 has Environment and Development, Global Governance, International Security, Political Economy, Research Design, Political Systems from a Comparative Perspective and Internship Preparatory Course 1. Semester 4 brings Contemporary Issues in International Relations, Governance for Sustainability Transitions, International Economics, Economic Geography, Philosophy of Science, International Law and the Bachelor Thesis Tutorial.

The third year is where you choose. Semester 5 covers Climate and Energy Policy, International Politics of Development, Human Rights and Economic Development and International Conflict Management. In Semester 6 you either write a mentored Bachelor thesis with enrichment courses or take a 650-hour internship.

How the programme is organised

Teaching mixes theory with applied work: real-world projects, team collaboration and training in international diplomacy and sustainability. The internship preparatory course in the third semester gets you ready for the placement route. The thesis route is fully mentored, with close faculty contact while you finish. Third-year students can also apply for the Oxford Study Abroad Programme, and the Kahlenberg Lectures bring public talks from international speakers to the campus.

Who it suits

Students who want politics and policy but also care about climate, development and corporate responsibility. You should be comfortable with economics, mathematics and statistics in the first year, and willing to read and write a lot in English. It suits people who want a small cohort and a choice between a long internship and a research thesis.

Admission, language and next steps

Applications go directly to Modul University Vienna through its own application portal; there is no central Austrian portal for this. You submit a CV, a letter of motivation, your high school certificate and transcripts, a passport copy, a passport photograph, proof of English at level B2 and, if you have them, a recommendation letter and certificates from extracurricular activities, all as PDFs. Accepted English tests include TOEFL iBT, IELTS, Cambridge FCE, Pearson PTE Academic and Duolingo, with minimum scores set by the university. Native English speakers and applicants who completed high school entirely in English at recognised international schools on American, British or IB curricula may be exempt. If you do not meet all requirements you may be admitted on condition of first completing the one-semester Foundation Program, and you do not apply for it separately. As a private university, Modul sets its own tuition; check the programme page for the current amount and the application period.

Students of the Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Sustainability at Modul University Vienna embark on an interdisciplinary journey designed to equip them with the tools needed to address the world’s most pressing challenges. Situated in Vienna, this program uniquely combines the strengths of both an International Relations degree and a Sustainability degree, offering a comprehensive education that prepares students for a global career. From day one, students engage in cutting-edge research and hands-on experiences that bridge the gap between theory and practical application. As they progress through their studies in this international program, they cultivate the ability to navigate complex global landscapes where diplomacy, governance, and sustainability converge. Training in negotiation and strategic decision-making empowers them to become global change-makers, ready to influence international policies and drive sustainable development.

There is no central application portal in Austria: you apply to the institution, here Modul University Vienna. Private institutions set their own application periods, admission procedures and fees, so read them on the programme page. Entrance examination, as the register states it: An admission or aptitude procedure applies (see the programme page). Entry requirements and language tests are set by the institution, so start from the official programme page. Our guides cover tuition fees, the student residence permit and housing.