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

Structure

Students take taught courses to the value of 3 full units + dissertation:

1. ONE half-unit from A (compulsory) and ONE half-unit from B
2. ONE unit from C
3. ONE unit (or 2 half-units) from D
4. Dissertation (compulsory) on some aspect of International Politics

A. Compulsory Course:

• International theory - 15PPOH014 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1

B. ONE from the following:

• Violence, justice and the politics of memory - 15PPOH019 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
• Queer Politics in Asia, Africa and the Middle East - 15PPOH020 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
• Sociology of International Norms - 15PPOH024 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
• International migration and diaspora politics - 15PPOH012 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
• Security governance - 15PPOH015 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
• Power in world politics - 15PPOH017 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 - Not Running 2012/2013
• Conflict, rights and justice - 15PPOH018 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
• Geopolitics: Space and Power - 15PPOH025 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
• Comparative International Political Thought - 15PPOH021 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
• Islam and politics - 15PPOH006 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
• Foreign policy analysis - 15PPOH013 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 - Not Running 2012/2013

C. ONE from the following Regional International Politics courses:

• International politics of Africa - 15PPOC009 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• China and international politics - 15PPOC018 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• International politics of the Middle East - 15PPOC027 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• International politics of East Asia - 15PPOC251 (1 Unit) - Full Year

D. ONE from the following Regional Politics courses (or two half courses):

• State and development in Asia and Africa - 15PPOC017 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• State & society in Asia & Africa - 15PPOC008 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Government and politics in Africa - 15PPOC205 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Government and politics of modern South Asia - 15PPOC003 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Government and politics of modern South East Asia - 15PPOC247 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• State and society in the Chinese political process - 15PPOC012 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Taiwan's politics and cross-strait relations - 15PPOC252 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Northeast Asian politics: Japan, Korea and Taiwan - 15PPOC253 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• State and Society in Central Asia and the Caucasus - 15PPOH022 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
• Geopolitics and Security in Central Asia and the Caucasus - 15PPOH023 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
• Political society in the Middle East - 15PPOH008 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
• State and transformation in the Middle East - 15PPOH011 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2

E. Dissertation:

This would be focused on some aspect of International Politics raised by the compulsory course 15PPOH014.

• Dissertation in Political Studies - 15PPOC999 (1 Unit) - Full Year

Programme Specification

• Programme Specification 2012/13 (pdf; 106kb)

Teaching & Learning

Teaching & Learning

Courses are taught by a combination of methods, principally lectures, tutorial classes, seminars and supervised individual study projects.

The MSc programme consists of three taught courses (corresponding to three examination papers) and a dissertation.

Lectures

Most courses involve a 50-minute lecture as a key component with linked tutorial classes.

Seminars

At Masters level there is particular emphasis on seminar work. Students make full-scale presentations for each unit that they take, and are expected to write papers that often require significant independent work.

Dissertation

A quarter of the work for the degree is given over to the writing of an adequately researched 10,000-word dissertation. Students are encouraged to take up topics which relate the study of a particular region to a body of theory.

Learning Resources

SOAS Library
SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.

Destinations

SOAS MSc International Politics students leave SOAS not only with a knowledge and understanding of the complex political and cultural issues of international politics, but also with a portfolio of widely transferable skills which employers seek in many professional and management careers, both in business and in the public sector.  

Graduates have gone on to work for a range of organisations including:

For more information about Graduate Destinations from this department, please visit the Careers Service website.

How to apply

How to apply

• How to Apply
• Online Application
• Funding options
• English language requirements
• Tuition Fees
• Admissions Contacts

Scholarships

For further information visit the Scholarships section