Why study the BA International Honours
The BA International Honours combines the best of the Scottish and American educational experience. When you begin studying on this unique programme, you will become a valued member of two thriving communities.
To be successful in today's global world, you need to be resilient, confident, flexible in where you live, and adaptable to new environments. Alongside the outstanding academic content, this programme helps you develop a range of skills that will allow you to take on – and overcome – many of the challenges you will face in your future. More so than other degree programmes, the skills and experience you gain from this programme will make you an international citizen.
What current students say
“Being able to study history (or any other subject) from both an American and British perspective is a massive benefit to students on the programme. In addition, the personal growth and development that being a student in different parts of the world fosters, is something that can only be learned through the experiences of being in the programme. The technical challenges of transitioning between two prestigious, but different universities creates a versatility in students that cannot be taught in a classroom.” - Ashley (Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA)
“The programme enabled me to access both the New York and London markets, which helped introduce me to a career in finance and fashion. The programme is challenging while we navigate between Virginia and Scotland and meet the heavier academic requirements of both universities. The reward is double or triple: double the friendship, double the opportunities, and ultimately a stronger person than we would have been staying in one university for four years.” - Zhu (Shenzhen, China)
"I’ve found that the programme’s greatest challenge is also its greatest opportunity: changing places. As students of a joint degree, we have the difficult task of locating ourselves in two distinctly different environments and ways of life. We must learn to become comfortable with foreign experiences and to grow from them. But by the end of these four years, with considerable effort and help along the way, we leave knowing how to assess new scenarios and adjust accordingly—knowledge that will surely serve us well, wherever we go next." - Lincoln (New Hampshire, USA)
"The most important thing about the program is going into it open-mined. At first, it can be hard to transition back and forth between schools, leave your friends, your favourite professors, the cozy spots on campus and the life you have created there. But if you embrace all of the opportunities and new horizons that studying at both schools opens up, you will find that this unique experience will shape you in ways that are otherwise unimaginable. Just let yourself adapt, learn, and enjoy!" - Mariana (Belo Horizonte, Brazil)
"The duality of this program is truly remarkable in that it pushes you to leave behind the comfort of a familiar academic system and group of friends only to encourage you to adapt to a new academic environment and to forge new, genuine friendships." - Layal (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia)
Student experience
Students on the BA International Honours programme become part of a diverse and thriving community.
The student-led WaMStA Student Partnership has been established to help maximize opportunities for student engagement in both communities. With active involvement from a very outgoing student body, it helps students overcome the challenges presented by the frequent transition that the programme requires, and highlights the many benefits it offers.