Best AP Classes for International Relations
Plan AP classes by grade level, priority, prerequisites, college-credit caveats, and Fiveable study resources.
By Amanda DoAmaral · Updated Jul 16, 2026
For international relations, the best AP® classes are AP Comparative Government, AP World History, AP European History, AP Human Geography, AP Macroeconomics, and an AP world language if available. This path rewards global context, politics, economics, and language skill.
Use this guide with Fiveable's AP Comparative Government, AP World History, AP European History, AP Human Geography, and AP Macroeconomics.
Recommended AP sequence for international relations
| Grade | Best AP focus | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 9th grade | AP Human Geography | Builds global systems and migration context. |
| 10th grade | AP World History or AP European History | Adds historical context for states and regions. |
| 11th grade | AP Comparative Government, AP English Language, AP Macroeconomics | Supports politics, writing, and global economics. |
| 12th grade | AP world language, AP US Government, AP Research | Adds language, institutions, and research depth. |
Priority tiers
| Tier | AP classes | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | AP Comparative Government, AP World History, AP Human Geography | Best foundation for global politics. |
| Useful | AP Macroeconomics, AP English Language, AP world language | Supports economic and diplomatic work. |
| Optional | AP European History, AP US Government, AP Research | Useful for regional and research depth. |
Prerequisites and alternatives
Start with the highest available AP in the essential tier. If your school does not offer one of these AP classes, choose the closest honors or dual-enrollment course that builds the same skills: world history, government, economics, geography, or a world language.
Credit caveats
International relations programs vary widely. AP language, history, economics, and government credit can help, but major requirements may still require college-level regional, theory, or methods courses.
Fiveable resources for international relations AP classes
| AP subject | Study hub | Practice | FRQs | Score calculator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Comparative Government | Study guides | Practice | FRQs | Calculator |
| AP World History | Study guides | Practice | FRQs | Calculator |
| AP European History | Study guides | Practice | FRQs | Calculator |
| AP Human Geography | Study guides | Practice | FRQs | Calculator |
| AP Macroeconomics | Study guides | Practice | FRQs | Calculator |
Official planning notes
A few things are worth checking before you lock in a schedule.
- College Board's AP Courses and Exams page lists current AP subjects and course categories.
- Use College Board's AP Credit Policy Search to check college-specific credit and placement.
- Check the international relations department's own requirements before assuming AP credit will count toward the major.
Related AP career guides
Compare this plan with AP classes for political science, AP classes for law, AP classes for economics, and AP classes by major.
Frequently Asked Questions About AP Classes for International Relations
What AP classes are most important for international relations?
AP Comparative Government, AP World History, AP European History, AP Human Geography, AP Macroeconomics, and an AP world language are the best starting point, but the right schedule depends on your school's course sequence, your math placement, and how many AP classes you can take while doing well.
Do AP classes guarantee college credit?
No. Colleges set their own AP credit and placement policies, and some majors use AP scores differently than the general university policy. Always check the specific colleges and departments on your list.
Should I take every AP class connected to my intended major?
Usually no. Colleges care about rigor, grades, and fit. Prioritize the courses that build the strongest foundation first, then add useful electives if your schedule can handle them.