MA / PGDip International Studies and Diplomacy | CISD | SOAS

MA/PGDip International Studies and Diplomacy

Duration: MA: One calendar year (full-time). Two or three years (part-time). PGDip: One academic year (full time). Two academic years (part time).

Overview

Featured events

06 Jun Postgraduate Open Evening

Convenor

Minimum Entry Requirements: Normally a first or upper second class honours degree (or equivalent). Other relevant experience, including good qualifications in a less relevant subject area may be considered.

Start of programme: September intake only

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

Who is this programme for?:

The MA/PG Diploma International Studies and Diplomacy (ISD) programme is designed for those engaged in or planning to embark upon a professional career requiring international expertise in government, not-for-profit, corporate or academic environments.

The degree aims to prepare students for roles such as within a Foreign Service or other government department, international civil service (such as the United Nations or European Union), international NGOs (working in fields such as development, humanitarian assistance and conflict resolution) multinational corporations and international media.

The programme also suits those engaged in or considering research roles such as within a policy think tank, risk analysis organisation or doctoral programme; seeking to deepen their academic and practical understanding of international affairs and contemporary diplomatic practice.

The programme has a multi-disciplinary structure and draws on the teaching and research strengths of CISD and of the SOAS departments of International Politics, Law, Economics and area studies (especially of Asia, Africa and the Middle East) as well as a wide range of languages. Students choose a combination of courses to meet their specific professional needs and personal interests.

We welcome applications from academically strong individuals from a wide variety of fields and backgrounds. However it is not necessary to have a first degree in a discipline directly related to the programme.

Each application is assessed on its individual merits and entry requirements may be modified in light of relevant professional experience and where the applicant can demonstrate a sustained practical interest in the international field.

Email: cisd@soas.ac.uk

Phone: 020 7898 4840

Structure

Learn a language as part of this programme

Degree programmes at SOAS - including this one - can include language courses in more than forty African and Asian languages. It is SOAS students’ command of an African or Asian language which sets SOAS apart from other universities.

Students take taught courses to the value of 3 full units plus 10,000 word dissertation

One unit (or two half units) from A
One unit (or two half units) from A or B
One unit (or two half units) from A, B or C
Dissertation (compulsory) on a topic related to the programme’s core themes

Postgraduate Diploma candidates take courses as the MA, excluding the dissertation.

A). International Studies and Diplomacy Courses

B). Additional courses available within CISD

C). Electives

Please note that acceptance onto an elective course is subject to availability of places, timetabling, and the approval of the convenor of that course.

Suggested electives for International Studies and Diplomacy students

Full Unit Courses (1.0)

China and International Politics (15PPOC018)
Chinese Commercial Law (15PLAC106)
Comparative Politics of the Middle East (15PPOC026)
Economic Development of South East Asia (15PECC004)
Economic Dynamics of the Asia-Pacific Region (15PECC334)
Economic Problems and Policies in Modern China (15PECC035)
Government and Politics in Africa (15PPOC205)
Government and Politics of Modern South Asia (15PPOC003)
Government and Politics of Modern South East Asia (15PPOC247)
International Politics of East Asia (15PPOC251)
Modern Chinese Law and Human Rights (15PLAC139)
State and Society in the Chinese Political Process (15PPOC012)
Taiwan's Politics and Cross-Strait Relations (15PPOC252)
Theory, Policy and Practice of Development (15PDSC001)
World War II, Cold War and the ‘War on Terror’: The United States and South East Asia (15PHIC059)

Half-Unit Courses (0.5)

Cross Cultural Management (15PFM076)
Economic Development of Modern Taiwan (15PECH002)
International Political Communication (15PMSH009)
Japanese Modernity I (15PHIH013)
Japanese Modernity II (15PHIH014)
Power in World Politics (15PPOH017)
The International History of the Contemporary World (15PHIH021)
The Transnational News Environment: Production, Representation and Use (15PMSH006)
Topics in the Chinese Economy (15PFMC075)

NB: Although all ISD core courses run every year, we cannot guarantee that all elective courses offered during the pre-registration period will be available for each academic session.

Programme Specification

Programme Specification 2012/2013 (pdf; 41kb)

Teaching & Learning

The programme may be taken in one year (full-time) or in two or three* years part-time (*MA only), with the schedule designed to allow participation by those in full-time employment. Participants may choose a combination of courses to meet their professional needs and personal interests. The programme is convened on a multi-disciplinary basis, and teaching is through lectures, seminars and workshops conducted by SOAS faculty and visiting specialists.

Lectures for ISD courses usually take place in the evening (18.00-20.00) and associated seminars/tutorials are repeated in hourly slots starting as early as 14.00 for some courses, with the latest taking place at 20.00. Students sign up for seminar/tutorial groups at the start of term and stay in the same group throughout the academic year. There is a minimum of two and a half hours formal teaching a week (lecture and seminar) for each ISD course taken. Practical exercises may take place at weekends.

In addition there is a week long study tour to the United Nations (UN) in Geneva. This involves lectures from a variety of UN organisations such as the World Trade Organisation, the United Nations Development Programme, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the International Labour Organisation. There are also visits to a variety of institutions including the UK mission and the International Committee of the Red Cross. The week is launched with a diplomatic reception held in the Palais des Nations at the UN. There is no additional cost for the trip.

All ISD students have the opportunity to take part in Media Training with the specific aim of developing their presentation and journalistic interviewing skills. The training is given by BBC News 24/BBC World presenter Deborah Mackenzie and former BBC producer Simon Crutchley.

The programme also runs a number of additional lectures given by guest speakers and external practitioners. They are available as podcasts on the CISD website.

How to apply

Scholarships

For further information visit the Scholarships section

A Student's Perspective

I chose SOAS to pursue my postgraduate studies because of the school’s outstanding reputation globally, its Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy with its pertinent programme that combines theory and practical application, taught by a faculty with exceptional backgrounds.

Alice Huang

SOAS, University of London (The School of Oriental and African Studies)

Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy