The International Relations Major Office is located in Buchanan Block C Room 428. 

International Relations Program

The International Relations Major is an interdisciplinary undergraduate program, which is able to admit only a limited number of students each year. Students take designated courses in several different departments, since there is no separate Department of International Relations at UBC.

The International Relations program does not offer an Honours B.A. However, students wishing to do an Honours degree in International Relations can do so in conjunction with the Honours programs of the departments of History or Political Science. Students must apply directly to one of these departments for admission into the Honours program during their second year.

Students who expect to do graduate work in International Relations after completing the B.A. are advised to consider the special Honours programs in History (with International Relations) and in Political Science (with International Relations) or to make sure they have at least 24 credits of 300-and 400-level courses in one of the core disciplines (Economics, History, Political Science).

The International Relations Program awards only the B.A. degree. Students with a B.A. who would like to study International Relations at the graduate level at UBC should apply directly to one of the relevant departments (e.g., History, Political Science or Economics).

Admission to the Major Program

Admission to the Major Program in International Relations is not automatic. Students who do not have a sufficiently high average cannot be admitted to the Major.

Admission is based on the average grade obtained for all post-secondary course work attempted. The average is calculated on at least 54 credits.To be eligible to apply to the IR program students need to have completed one of the lower division required IR courses: Econ 101 and 102, Hist 102 or 103, or Poli 260. However, it is strongly recommended that students complete all of these courses before applying to the program. Students may complete their language requirement in their 3rd or 4th year. Arts One students can only count their English credits towards the IR program. They will, therefore, need to fulfill all of the lower division Econ, Hist, and Poli requirements.

The precise minimum average needed in a given year depends upon how many students apply for admission to the major. Every year the IR program accepts 125 students into the major. Based upon past experience, we estimate that in the coming year the average necessary for admission will be somewhere in the B+ to A- range. Students with an average below 72% should not apply to the IR program and should consider an alternate major. Since many applicants are not admitted to the International Relations Major, all students are strongly urged to make sure that during their first two years of university or college course work they have satisfied the requirements for an alternative major.

Application Procedure

Application forms will be available after January 1 from the International Relations Program Office, Buch C428, and from the IR web site.

Completed applications are due by May 15 prior to registration for third year. They should be handed in to the International Relations Program Office (Buch C428) or mailed to International Relations Program, C428-1866 Main Mall, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., V6T 1Z1 or faxed to 604-822-5540. Applicants should arrange for transcripts from all post-secondary institutions they have attended, other than UBC, to be mailed to the above address. Failure to do so will delay consideration of your application.

Applicants will be notified by June 15 whether they have been accepted, rejected, or put on a waiting list.

International Relations Advising

Students enrolled in the International Relations Major and Minor programs (as well as prospective International Relations students) may seek advising throughout the year from the International Relations Program Administrator and the International Relations Program Chair.

For routine International Relations Major and Minor degree progress and graduation checks, please use Degree Navigator. There is no need to contact the Program Administrator or Chair for routine degree progress checks or for graduation authorization, with the exception of the language requirement. Language requirement clearance must be manually verified by the Program Administrator. Once you have completed your International Relations language requirements please notify the Program Administrator via e-mail for clearance on Degree Navigator.

If there are special circumstances to your degree plan or you have a special enquiry, please contact the Program Administrator via e-mail.

Exchange or transfer credit approval must be granted by the IR Program Chair. Please e-mail the Chair or visit during office hours.

International Relations Program Administrator:
Irina Florov
E-mail:  intrelpr(at)interchange.ubc.ca
Telephone: 604 822 5969

International Relations Program Chair:
Steven Lee
E-mail: stevenhl(at)mail.ubc.ca
Telephone: 604 822 5164