Diplomacy and International Relations
Study diplomacy and international relations in English, where West African institutions meet the wider world.
At a glance
Qualification
BA (International Relations)
Duration
4 years
Total credits
180
Intake
September and January
Key features
A diplomatic hub
Study world politics from Abidjan, a diplomatic hub.
Law and the UN
See how international law and bodies like ECOWAS work.
Learn by doing
Debate, brief and analyse in realistic simulations.
Where it leads
A base for diplomacy, policy, research or further study.
Course structure
Year one is the foundation year every English Bachelor takes; years two to four follow the same programme as the French Licence in Diplomatie et Relations Internationales, from international relations theory and public international law to conflict in Africa, humanitarian operations and diplomatic practice.
Year one
Foundation year
Every English Bachelor opens with the same foundation year. The first semester covers foundation mathematics, three strands of English, basic French, foundations of computer science, an introduction to management and digital literacy. The second carries each of those forward and adds college rhetoric and composition, academic writing and presentation skills, and health and wellness. The foundation year is a qualifying year: its 60 credits sit outside the 180 that make up the degree.
Module
Code
Credits
Semester 1
Foundation Mathematics I
MATH 0511
5
Use of English I
ENGL 0311
3
Communication, Study Skills and Knowledge Development I
ENGL 0313
3
English Language Practice and Communication
ENGL 0315
3
Basic Communication in French I
FREN 0311
3
Foundations of Computer Science I
COSC 0511
5
Introduction to Management I
MGMT 0511
5
Digital Literacy and Computer Applications I
GNST 0315
3
Semester 2
Foundation Mathematics II
MATH 0422
4
Use of English I
ENGL 0322
3
College Rhetoric and Composition
ENGL 0324
3
Academic Writing and Presentation Skills
ENGL 0326
3
Basic Communication in French II
FREN 0322
3
Foundations of Computer Science II
COSC 0422
4
Introduction to Management II
MGMT 0422
4
Health and Wellness
BIOL 0326
3
Digital Literacy and Computer Applications II
GNST 0326
3
Year two
Diplomacy and international relations core
The second year lays the groundwork: international relations, political science, sociology and economics, public international law, the diplomatic and consular function and protocol, with written and oral expression, English and computing alongside.
Module
Code
Credits
Semester 1
Introduction aux Relations Internationales I
IRI 100
6
Introduction à la Science Politique
ISP 100
3
Introduction à la Sociologie
ISG 100
6
Introduction à l’Economie
IEC 100
3
Techniques d’Expressions Orales-Ecrites I
TEO 100
4
Introduction au Droit
IDD 100
3
Introduction to Computer
ICP 100
3
Developing English Language Skills I
DES 100
2
Semester 2
Introduction aux Relations Internationales II
IRI 200
3
Introduction au Droit et Droit International Public
IDP 200
3
Fonction Diplomatique et Consulaire
FDC 200
3
Histoire du 20e Siècle
IFM 200
6
Techniques d’Expressions Orales-Ecrites II
TEO 200
3
Economie Politique
ENP 200
6
Protocole
PTC 200
3
Developing English Language Skills II
DES 200
3
Year three
Deepening
The third year moves into international relations theory, the politics of international law, peacekeeping, foreign policy analysis, democracy, international organisations and international criminal law, and includes a mini-internship.
Module
Code
Credits
Semester 1
Théories des Relations Internationales
TRI 300
5
Histoires des Idées Politiques Contemporaines
IPC 300
2
Epistémologie des Sciences Sociales
ESS 300
5
Politics of International Law
PIL 300
6
Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding
PPB 300
3
Sociologie de l’Ethnicité
SET 300
2
Atelier de Lecture : Littérature et Politique
ALT 300
2
College Composition
CCS 300
3
Developing Leadership Skills
DLS 300
2
Semester 2
Dialectiques de la Paix et de la Guerre
DPG 400
3
Foreign Policy Analysis
FPA 400
5
Théorie de la Démocratie
TDC 400
4
Organisations Internationales
OGI 400
3
Introduction to Research Methodology in Social Sciences
RSM 400
2
Droit International Pénal
DIP 400
2
Developing Leadership Skills II
DLS 400
3
Professional Language Mastery
PLM 600
2
Personal Development
PDV 400
6
Year four
Diplomatic specialisation
The final year covers migration, comparative politics, conflict in Africa, humanitarian operations, diplomatic decision-making, globalisation and Ivorian trade policy, and closes with an internship and a final-year project that you write up and defend.
Module
Code
Credits
Semester 1
Mobilités, Migrations et Sociétés
MMS 500
5
Politique Comparée et Sociologie Politique
PCS 500
3
Entrepreneurial Skills Development & Practice
ESD 500
6
Politique et Conflits en Afrique : AU, CEDEAO
PTC 500
3
Enjeux Economiques Contemporains
EEC 500
4
Gestion des Opérations Humanitaires Internationales
GOH 500
3
Processus Décisionnel en Diplomatie
PDD 500
3
English / French for Diplomatic Purposes
EFB 500
3
Semester 2
Données Fondamentales de la Mondialisation
DFM 600
6
Politiques Etrangères et Interventions Internationales
PEI 600
3
Politiques Ivoiriennes du Commerce et Agro-Industrie International
PIC 600
6
Ethiques et Relations Internationales
ERI 600
3
Political Philosophy of Migration
PPM 600
3
Research Methodology
RSM 600
2
Cv Writing, Job Search Mechanisms & Interview Sessions
JOB 600
5
Stage International et Interculturel, Final Year Project Writing and Defense
SPW 600
2
Grading
A
16–20
80–100%
B
14–15.99
70–79.99%
C
12–13.99
60–69.99%
D
10–11.99
50–59.99%
F
Below 10
0–49%
Grade point average
Your cumulative GPA across the degree determines the class you graduate with.
First Class
3.50 – 4.00
Second Class Upper
2.50 – 3.49
Second Class Lower
1.50 – 2.49
Third Class
1.00 – 1.49
Fail
Below 1.00
Entry requirements
Taught in English, with no IELTS or TOEFL for West African applicants.
You will also need five O-level credits, which must include Mathematics and English, and a satisfactory score in the university admission test. An English test is requested only where your secondary schooling did not include English.
Academic requirements
Baccalauréat
WAEC
NECO
NABTEB
Or equivalent
A qualification earned outside Côte d’Ivoire is assessed for equivalence at DECO, Plateau. Hold something not listed here? Contact admissions and we will assess it.
Fees
Tuition
2,510,000 FCFA
Per year
Paid in two equal semester instalments of 1,255,000 FCFA, the same across all four years.
Additional fees
Admission test
20,000 FCFA
University uniform
80,000 FCFA
Application form
20,000 FCFA
Career prospects
The degree opens routes into diplomacy, international institutions, policy and research across the region and beyond.
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