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BA International Relations

Franklin University Switzerland (Department of International Relations and Political Science) · Lugano, Switzerland

100% taught in EnglishApply direct to the university, not the CAOSelectivePrivate universityUS-style liberal artsHigh fees
Duration4 years (3-year accelerated option)
StartsAutumn 2027
EntrySelective
Deadline (EU)15 Jul 2027
Fee 2026/27 (no EU rate)€56,000 / yr

About the course

A US-style liberal arts BA combining political science, sociology and history with economics, languages and communications, taught in small classes (about 10 students) in English. Includes Franklin’s Academic Travel, where classes study on location each semester, and a senior research project.

Entry requirements for Irish students

  • Franklin publishes nothing specific on the Irish Leaving Certificate. It uses holistic admissions and asks for school transcripts in English plus your final school-leaving diploma, so send your Leaving Cert results and school reports and confirm with admissions how they are read. It recommends four years of English, three of a foreign language, three of history, three of maths and two of science.
  • No entrance exam. You submit a personal statement and one letter of recommendation from a teacher, guidance counsellor or principal. SAT/ACT scores are optional.
  • English tests (TOEFL 90, IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 110) are required only from non-native English speakers, so Irish native speakers should not need one. Major electives include an optional advanced German, French or Italian course, and Franklin’s curriculum includes modern language study.

How to apply

  1. Prepare documentsGather school transcripts (5th and 6th Year reports), a personal statement and one recommendation letter; Leaving Cert results follow in August.
  2. Apply onlineApply through Franklin’s own portal or the Common App; apply by 1 December for Early Action priority and a waived CHF 50 fee.
  3. Final deadlineEU applicants who need no visa can apply up to 15 July for autumn entry, but earlier is safer.
  4. Confirm your placePay the CHF 500 enrolment deposit (by 15 May for autumn entry), arrange housing and Swiss health insurance.
Deadline for Irish/EU applicants: Autumn (Fall) intake: Early Action priority deadline 1 December (also the application fee waiver deadline); final deadline for non-visa students such as EU citizens 15 July. Spring intake: priority 15 October, non-visa final deadline 7 January. Enrolment deposit due by 15 May for autumn entry. Dates are from the current cycle; confirm for 2027 entry..

Costs

  • Private university. International tuition for 2026/27 is CHF 52,750 a year (CHF 26,375 a semester), plus CHF 1,050 a year institutional fees and a one-off CHF 550 orientation fee. The euro figure is an approximate conversion and will move with the exchange rate. There is no reduced EU rate. Application fee CHF 50 (waived if you apply by the priority deadline and enrol); enrolment deposit CHF 500. Housing and meals add roughly CHF 16,000 a year. 2027/28 fees not yet published.
Franklin is a private American-style university, so tuition is over CHF 52,000 a year with no EU discount. Check scholarships and total costs before applying.

At a glance

CountrySwitzerland
CityLugano
LanguageEnglish
Apply viaUniversity online portal (Franklin application or Common App)
PlacesNot published
EntrySelective
International Relations major ↗Undergraduate admissions ↗International tuition ↗← Back to all European courses

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Checked against the official Franklin University Switzerland website: September 2026 (2027 entry). Fees are for 2026/27 and deadlines are from the current cycle; confirm for 2027. Always confirm details with the university before applying.