Bachelor's degree in International Relations

There are a number of different pathways for students to access a bachelor's degree at the School:

• Successfully completed High School Diploma and University Entrance Exams. Students can access all the bachelor's degrees at the School from any of the High School Diploma options.

• ​Foreign baccalaureate degree or high school diploma with the UNED credential. Students from education systems within the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), or those with whom the Spanish State has an agreement, and international baccalaureate degree holders, must apply to the Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED) to obtain the credential certifying that they meet the requirements to access university studies within the state education system. They do not have to sit the University Entrance Exams; however, without the credential they will not be able to enroll in our bachelor's degrees. The education systems that can be accessed through this pathway are: Germany, Andorra, Austria, European Schools (European Baccalaureate), International Baccalaureate, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, China and Cyprus.

• ​Convalidation of foreign Baccalaureate. Students from education systems outside the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) that do not have an agreement with the Spanish State will be able to access our bachelor's degrees by presenting the convalidation of their Baccalaureate degree by the Ministry of Education of the Spanish State or the duly authorized Autonomous Communities, as is the case of the Generalitat de Catalunya. Proof of application for convalidation will be sufficient for students to enroll and begin taking a bachelor's degree course, however full enrollment is conditional on convalidation being confirmed. Bear in mind that convalidating studies can take more than three months to complete, so this process should be done in parallel with the admissions process to our bachelor's degrees. If the convalidation resolution is not obtained in the terms requested by the interested party, the results of any exams taken, or the enrollment made as a result thereof, are rendered null and void.

• Higher education courses. Be in possession of a vocational training advanced technician diploma. Students who have completed an advanced training course in an area of knowledge related to the bachelor's degree can apply for credit recognition. Recognition of credits for students from higher education training courses.

• Mature student access for over 25s. All persons who are 25 years of age or older before October 1st of the calendar year in which the admission test is held may apply.

• Access to the University by experience accreditation. Persons with professional and work experience pertinent to these studies but who do not hold an academic qualification that allows them to apply to the university through other pathways, and who are 40 years of age or older on October 1st of the academic year in which the course commences, can access bachelor's degree studies.

• Mature student access for over 45s. Persons over 45 years of age who do not hold an academic qualification that allows them to apply to the university through other pathways, and who cannot prove professional or work experience, can access bachelor's degree studies through this pathway.
  
• University studies begun but not completed. Students who have begun their university studies and wish to change their degree or their university may access a new degree via this option. At least 30 ECTS credits must be recognized for the new degree to be taken.
• Completed university studies. If the student has previously completed any university degree, they can access all the degrees offered at the School.

Online pre-enrollment can be accessed from the pre-enrollment button on each bachelor's degree web page, or directly from here. You need to:

1. Sign up on the unique registration system and create a username (if not previously obtained) and follow the instructions to completion.
2. Make a payment of €100 (non-refundable fee for pre-enrollment rights and processing) can be made by credit or debit card, through a secure and confidential BBVA process.
3. Upload the documentation, through the document repository, before the end date of the pre-enrollment process:

• ID card (both sides)
• Certificate of university admission test (PAU, CFGS...) if available at the time of pre-enrollment.

Note: For courses with more than one timetable option, admission is granted by order of conditional enrollment and persons completing enrollment in July, if a timetable choice is still available, must bear in mind that enrollment will be carried out by order of pre-enrollment.

In-person pre-enrollment can be done on-site at the School, by visiting the Student Information and Orientation Service (SIOE) and submitting the following:

1. Provide the following documentation:
2. Photocopy of ID card (both sides), passport or NIE residence card.
3. Photocopy of the certificate of university admission test (PAU, CFGS...) if available at the time of pre-enrollment.
4. Make a payment of €100 (non-refundable fee for pre-enrollment rights and processing) in cash or by credit/debit card, through a secure and confidential BBVA process.

The planned schedule of admission tests is:

• Admission test Saturday, February 17 at 10.00 am.
• Admission test Wednesday, April 10 at 5:00 p.m.
• Admission test Saturday, May 4 at 10.00 am.
• Admission test Wednesday, May 29 at 5:00 p.m.
• Admission test Friday, June 28 at 10.00 am.

After this date, in the event that there are places available in any bachelor's degree course, new admission tests will be scheduled. The date of this test is assigned upon pre-enrollment and is recorded on the corresponding pre-enrollment receipt, which students can always consult in their document repository. Students who reside outside Catalonia and Andorra and have proven difficulties in taking the test in person on the assigned day may change the date or request to do so online.

The admission test for bachelor's degrees in Communication comprises:

• Text comprehension exercise.
• Writing test. Spelling mistakes and expression will be assessed.
• English proficiency test (not decisive for access, solely to assign a teaching level once the degree has begun).

The admission test for the bachelor's degree in International Relations, the bachelor's degree in Global Communication Management and the double bachelor's degree in Journalism and International Relations comprises:

• International current and basic knowledge test.
• Subject writing in English.
• Grammar test.
• An oral interview regarding the candidate's experiences, academic interests and general knowledge.

All this joint information determines whether or not the candidate is admitted to the degree. The student must demonstrate an overall English level of B2 in order to be admitted to the degree in International Relations (or the double degree in Journalism) and the degree in Global Communication Management.

For bachelor's degrees in Communication, it comprises:

• An interview (which will be recorded with the candidate's explicit consent) and a comprehension and writing exercise.

At the start of the academic year, admitted students will have to take an English level test for the degrees in Communication, which will be in-person and will serve to assign the group of the compulsory subject.

For the bachelor's degree in International Relations, the bachelor's degree in Global Communication Management and the double bachelor's degree in Journalism and International Relations, the test comprises:

• The candidate is given an interview with a language teacher by video conference. The interview is recorded (with the candidate's explicit consent) to be reviewed later by another member of the department or by the degree coordination team, where applicable.

The interview comprises three sections:

• In the first section, the candidate has the opportunity to provide information about themselves, such as their academic interests, knowledge of languages, activities and future goals.
• The second section enables the interviewer to gain an understanding of the candidate's level of English and thus ensure that they have the necessary skills to conduct all the activities and tasks that comprise a university degree that is taught entirely in English.
• The last section examines the candidate's knowledge of current affairs and internationally important events, and the reasons for studying the degree.

All this information determines whether or not the candidate is admitted to the degree. The student must demonstrate an overall English level of B2 in order to be admitted to the degree in International Relations (or the double degree in Journalism). Subsequently, students admitted through the online test who enroll in the degree will be invited to Barcelona to complete the written part of the entrance test and to finish assigning them the corresponding level of English for the first semester. The grades for the compulsory English subjects from which a student is exempt are also derived from the entrance test. Together with the written part of the English test, they also take the current affairs test to assess their knowledge of internationally important events.

A few days after taking the admission test, students will be informed, via email, of the admission resolution (suitable or not suitable). In the case of being deemed suitable for admission, in the same email students will be invited to enroll during the next enrollment call according to the places available, and instructions on when and how to enroll will be provided.
The criterion used to call admitted students for enrollment in the two enrollment periods (conditional and final) is by order of pre-enrollment. It is important to bear in mind one timetable option may fill up during the (conditional) enrollment period. Admission will be confirmed as final if the student delivers the necessary documentation with their university admission test, entrance exam or CFGS, and completes final enrollment.

Persons admitted for enrollment can choose between two options, depending on whether or not they already have an admission pathway:

1. Conditional enrollment
   Possibility to enroll in the degree, before having passed the PAU or the CFGS.
   Enrollment will be conditional on the presentation of the corresponding admission pathway.
   This option secures the place and allows the student to choose their timetable, in the case of courses with morning and afternoon options, while places are available.
   In the event that the student does not secure the admission pathway, the enrollment fee is refunded, and they lose their place and timetable selection. If places remain available, applicants can stay on the waiting list until September and their enrollment fee will be held, but they will no longer have a preferential timetable choice.
   If a student does not obtain the admission pathway, the fee paid will be refunded.
2. Definitive enrollment
   Enrollment is definitive if the student already meets the requirements for admission.
   Upon enrollment, students may secure the places and timetable options available.

Note: The criterion used to call admitted students for enrollment in the two enrollment periods (conditional and final) is by order of pre-enrollment. It is important to bear in mind one timetable option may fill up during the (conditional) enrollment period. Admission will be confirmed as final if the student delivers the necessary documentation with their university admission test, entrance exam or CFGS, and completes final enrollment in July.
Note: The required documentation must be uploaded through the document repository.

Studies can be paid upfront and/or in interest-free installments. If payment by installment is selected, upon enrollment the student will have two business days to pay 50% of the total cost of the enrolled credits, using their chosen form of payment; this payment will not be taken by direct debit. The remaining 50% is split into nine monthly installments, from October to June, payable by direct debit using the bank account number provided upon enrollment. Prices are updated each academic year.

Here you can find the general enrollment conditions for studies at the FCRI.

Once payment is made, the corresponding receipt of enrollment can be viewed in the student's document repository and via the student's portal.

Students must apply to the Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED) to obtain the credential certifying that they meet the requirements to access university studies within the state education system (UNED Credential). They do not have to sit the University Entrance Exams; however, without the credential they will not be able to enroll in our bachelor's degrees.
The education systems that can be accessed through this pathway are: Germany, Andorra, Austria, European Schools (European Baccalaureate), International Baccalaureate, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, China and Cyprus.

Can access our bachelor's degrees by presenting the convalidation of their Baccalaureate qualification by the Ministry of Education of the Spanish State or the duly authorized Autonomous Communities, as is the case of the Generalitat de Catalunya. Proof of application for convalidation will be sufficient for students to enroll and begin taking a bachelor's degree course, however full enrollment is conditional on convalidation being confirmed. Bear in mind that convalidating studies can take more than three months to complete, so this process should be done in parallel with the admissions process to our bachelor's degrees. If the convalidation resolution is not obtained in the terms requested by the interested party, the results of any exams taken, or the enrollment made as a result thereof, are rendered null and void. For any doubts or queries about the pre-enrollment or enrollment process, please contact the admissions department/academic secretary: [email protected]

The FDP is linked to a methodological seminar, the design and content of which pursues the systemization of a set of competences and specific knowledge to be applied in the project. Each FDP will be allocated to a faculty member who shall act as supervisor. Their role is to give support to students, in order to develop the project coherently.

Students shall choose between two types of FDP: research project and professional or applied project, both of them on a topic chosen by students that lies within one of the fields of study of international relations. The former may only be carried out individually. Instead, the latter may be carried out as a team (of two people at the most) or individually. Should students choose to work in a team, they should justify the relevance and appropriateness of doing so and the Degree Coordination team needs to approve it.

The project must be written in English

Students shall prepare a proposal that should include the following parts: type of the project (research/professional or applied project), title of the project, motivation of the chosen topic, and a brief summary of the topic, giving a clear account of the general and specific objectives pursued by the proposed work. Once students have submitted the proposal, the Degree Coordination team shall allocate a supervisor to each FDP, whose role is to guide and support students throughout the development of the FDP.

The development of the FDP shall be carried out according to the type of project chosen. Irrespective of the type of FDP, this phase comprises a series of evaluable activities that students must submit on the given deadlines. These are scheduled in the second semester of the fourth year, when the project is to be formally developed.

Once the students have submitted the Final Paper, they shall defend their FDP in front of a Panel of Examiners. This shall consist of 2 faculty members of the Degree, and cannot include the supervisor. One examiner shall be appointed Chair of the Panel, in charge of conducting the procedure, as well as signing the examiners’ report form. Exceptionally, the Degree Coordination team may invite an external expert in the field of study of the FDP under examination, to act as examiner, thereby replacing one of the faculty members.

The final mark for the FDP is made up of two main parts: the outcomes of the activities carried out in the development phase and that of the oral defence phase.

• The supervisor shall evaluate and mark the four activities that make up the development phase of the FDP (70% of the overall grade).
• The panel of examiners shall evaluate and mark both the oral defence and the Final Paper of the FDP (30% of the overall grade).

• The bachelor's degree ensures that each student will be able to do an internship within a company in positions related to their sector.
• Each student will have a bachelor's degree advisor who will ensure they comply with the internship's objectives and make the most of the experience.
• In addition to the compulsory or curricular internships, students will be able to do whichever voluntary internship they want from their third year onwards.

• The core goal of the internship program is to guarantee the development of curricular internships in a public or private, national or international institution in the area of international relations.
• The internship period will enable students to apply the training received in order to the correctly undertake the profession in the international relations sector and to acquire a global understanding of the professional activity in this area, the different professional profiles and the dynamics of work in various industries of international relations.
• They have to provide the student with an overview of international relations and of the dynamics of how the entities connected to this professional sector work, including a governmental entity, a non-governmental organization, an international organization, a think tank, a consultancy or a company.
• Start creating a network of professional contacts that can help them enter the workplace smoothly in the future.

There are two types of external internships: curricular and extracurricular.

Curricular internships are those that form part of our curriculum: they are taken in parallel to seminar VII during the first semester of the fourth year. The seminar VII professor is the tutor who will supervise the evolution of the students in their internships and guide them throughout the process. In the company, students will also have a tutor appointed by the center who will supervise their learning.

Extracurricular internships are all those that the student can do electively outside the curriculum, although they also have an exclusively training and teaching purpose and will therefore be included in the European Diploma Supplement (EDS). In all cases, the internship must be compatible with the student's class hours. Internships may or may not be remunerated, depending on the company or institution.

In the following link you will find the program of the curricular internships.

In the Degree in International Relations, students also have the opportunity to do internships abroad through different agreements with companies, organizations and institutions.

The curricular and extracurricular internships are regulated by point 17 of the school's academic regulations.

The student's advisor in the school will provide students with the criteria to follow to successfully pass the internship course and the parameters for drawing up the internship report. Here is the guide to writing the report.

This must be done by contacting the School's Internship Service.

• 2021 Final report
• Bachelor Degree in International Relations
• 2012 Verified report Old plan
• 2020 Verified report
• AQU assessment of Bachelor's Degree in International Relations
• Verification notification of Bachelor's Degree in International Relations
• Accreditation notification of Bachelor's Degree in International Relations
• Assessment of accreditation request of Bachelor's Degree in International Relations

Degree follow-up reports

• 2012-2013 Degree follow-up report - Bachelor's Degree in International Relations

Center follow-up report

• 2013-2014 Follow-up report
• Center follow-up report 2014-2015
• Center follow-up report 2015-2016
• Center follow-up report 2016-2017
• Center follow-up report 2017-2018
• Center follow-up report 2018-2019
• Center follow-up report 2019-2020
• Center follow-up report 2020-2021

• Proposed modification

• Satisfaction indicators (students) for the 2020-2021 academic year
• Degree indicator table
• 2014-2018 Occupational integration studies
• Bachelor degree employment rate studies 2017
• Bachelor degree employment rate studies 2018
• Bachelor degree employment rate studies 2019

Student surveys

• Survey of student satisfaction with online education
• Report result of the student form on online academic activity and COVID-19
• Blanquerna School of Communication and International Relations bachelor's and master's degrees student participation and satisfaction
• Survey of student satisfaction with School services 2019
• AQU preliminary report on graduate satisfaction 2019
• 2015 first-year student URL satisfaction
• 2015 fourth-year student URL satisfaction

Faculty surveys (research and teaching staff)

• Teaching and research staff satisfaction survey results tables 2019
• Teaching and research staff qualifications satisfaction survey results tables 2019
• Teaching and research staff survey participation results 2019
• Teaching and research staff satisfaction 2015
• Teaching and research staff satisfaction 2013

Administrative and service staff surveys

• Service staff survey (comparison of URL and Blanquerna results) 2015
• Administrative and service staff satisfaction survey summary tables 2019
• Administrative and service staff satisfaction 2015
• Administrative and service staff satisfaction 2013

Evidence relating to employer satisfaction

• 2019–2020 FCRIB Report on internship employer satisfaction
• 2017–2018 FCRIB Report on internship employer satisfaction

Job bank and careers

• Bachelor degree employment rate studies 2019
• Official master degree employment rate studies 2019
• Bachelor degree employment rate studies 2018
• Official master degree employment rate studies 2018
• Official master degree employment rate studies 2017
• Bachelor degree employment rate studies 2017
• 2014-2018 Occupational integration studies

URL Student mobility

• URL Erasmus Final Report

• Center self-report 2016/2017
• Center self-report 2018/2019
• Center self-report 2020/2021
• External assessment report 2017
• External assessment report 2019
• External assessment report 2021