Switzerland · Bachelor's
University of Geneva
Bachelor of Arts in International Relations
University of Geneva
Course Overview
Geneva is the world capital of international relations — home to the UN's European HQ (Palais des Nations), WHO, WTO, ILO, UNHCR, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and dozens of major NGOs. The University of Geneva's Bachelor of Arts in International Relations sits at the heart of this ecosystem, with internship and visit programmes that no other university can match.
Three years, taught primarily in French (with growing English options in years 2 and 3). The curriculum covers political science, international law, international history, economics, and a strong language component. Sri Lankan applicants need French B2 to enter and ideally C1 for serious academic work. Tuition is CHF 500/semester (~CHF 1,000/year) — among the most affordable Swiss programmes. Strong A/L results in English, History, Economics or Political Science help applications.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle Sri Lankan A/Ls alone are NOT directly accepted — Cambridge A-Levels (A grades in 3 subjects), IB 38+, or completion of a recognised Swiss-equivalent foundation year required.
- check_circle Demonstrated interest in international affairs — Model UN, school debating, current affairs writing.
- check_circle Motivational essay (in French) and full school transcripts.
- check_circle French proficiency at B2 level (minimum) by enrollment; C1 strongly preferred.
English Proficiency
- check_circle Programme is primarily French-medium. English-language elective courses are available in years 2-3.
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 6.5 Overall (for English-medium elective access).
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 88 Overall.
- check_circle English-medium prior schooling (Cambridge/Edexcel/IB) is recognised — but the French B2 requirement is binding.
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (CHF) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (per year) | CHF 1,000 | Rs. 370,000 |
| Accommodation in Geneva (per year) | CHF 13,200 | Rs. 4,884,000 |
| Living Expenses & Food (per year) | CHF 9,600 | Rs. 3,552,000 |
| Health Insurance & Mandatory Fees | CHF 1,800 | Rs. 666,000 |
| Estimated Annual Investment | CHF 25,600 | Rs. 9,472,000 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
Geneva IR Bachelor's graduates have unmatched access to UN-system internships during the degree — UN HQ, WHO, WTO, ILO, UNHCR, ICRC are all within walking distance. Most progress to Master's programmes at the Geneva Graduate Institute, Sciences Po, LSE, or Bocconi. Switzerland's 6-month post-graduation permit and work-permit conversion under non-EU quotas applies. Sri Lankan returnees route into the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lankan diplomatic missions, UN agency country offices (UNICEF, UNDP, UNHCR Colombo), and international NGOs (ICRC Colombo, Save the Children).
Related Programs
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ඔබට සුදුසු විශ්වවිද්යාලයක් තේරීම, අයදුම්පත් යොමු කිරීම, SOP සකස් කිරීම සහ වීසා ලබා ගැනීම ඇතුළු සෑම පියවරකදීම, ඔබ වෙනුවෙන් සියලුම වගකීම් විශ්වාසවන්තව අප භාර ගනිමු.