Since 2006 Western’s Program in International Relations has been a demanding and solid preparation for a wide range of careers in government, law, business, journalism, and education.  The program jointly offered by the Departments of History and Political Science and encompasses two interdisciplinary degrees: an Honours Specialization in International Relations and an Honours Specialization IR/HBA. Students are generally admitted in their second year once they have completed the necessary prerequisites. The programs are aimed at outstanding students with a high degree of self-organization and excellent academic, social, and communication skills curious about global affairs.  

The studies are directed by internationally renowned faculty from both departments and encompass a mix of 10.0 required and elective courses on a range of topics from global order, to IR theory, to histories of IR, and contemporary global affairs. In their fourth-year students participate in a capstone seminar – for more information on previous capstone projects explore the dropdown menu for student experience above. 

A total of 6.0 credits are taken from both History and Political Science. Students can choose courses to pursue specialized areas of interest (i.e. transitional justice, human rights, or international organizations), focus on a particular country or region (i.e. China, Africa, East Asia, the United States, the Middle East), and further intensify their disciplinary exposure to approaches from Political Science and/or History.  

IR students also frequently participate in further studies and internships abroad. Many of those experiences have been captured on our website. They take advantage of Western’s extensive network of world-class partner institutions (IR students recently participated in exchange opportunities with Erasmus University Rotterdam, Sciences-Po, Paris, Bocconi University, Milan, and Yonsei University, Seoul). ); in addition, they are frequently successful in gaining additional training experience in summer schools (i.e. University of Windsor/UWO EU Study Abroad), conferences (2025 NATO Youth Summit Montenegro), and internships (Global Affairs at 2025 G7 Leaders Summit Alberta).  

Over the last 20 years our program has established a reputation for rigorous academic work, an energetic, stimulating, and positive learning experience, a hub for a multitude of curricular and extra-curricular learning experiences, and the preparation for successful careers across Canada and beyond. The IR community is a close-knit community and many of our alumni are actively engaged in program development and our annual career seminars. Our aspiration is a program with ample engagement opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and alumni to contribute and make Western’s IR program the best it can be.