Applicants apply for the
MSc Violence, Conflict and Development programme but can decide to follow the Palestine Pathway upon arrival by choosing the combination of modules required for this pathway (see Structure tab).
We welcome applications from those who have worked in a broad field of development and/or conflict, but also from students without relevant work experience who can demonstrate a strong interest in, and understanding of, development issues in Palestine.
Students taking the Palestine Pathway will develop a specialist understanding of Development Studies in the context of Palestine. Development and conflict issues in Palestine are a major focus of NGO and international organisations that work in the Middle East. SOAS' recognised strengths in this area, including the establishment of the
Centre for Palestine Studies, makes this a unique and exciting opportunity for those interested in Palestine.
Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings
Start of programme: September intake only
Mode of Attendance: Full-time or Part-time
Entry requirements
- We will consider all applications with 2:ii (or international equivalent) or higher. In addition to degree classification we take into account other elements of the application including supporting statement and references.
- duration:
- One calendar year (full-time). Two years(part-time, daytime only)
We recommend that part-time students have between two and a half and three days free in the week to pursue their course of study.
Fees 2020/21
- UK fees:
- £13,360
- Overseas fees:
- £22,840
Fees for 2021/22 entrants. This is a Band 5 fee. The fees are per academic year. Please note that fees go up each year. Further details can be found in the Fees and Funding tab on this page or in the Registry Postgraduate Tuition Fees page
Students must take 180 credits per year comprised of 120 taught credits (including core, compulsory and optional modules) and a 60 credit dissertation.
Core modules: A core module is required for the degree programme, so must always be taken and passed before you move on to the next year of your programme.
Compulsory modules: A compulsory module is required for the degree programme, so must always be taken, and if necessary can be passed by re-taking it alongside the next year of your programme.
Optional modules: These are designed to help students design their own intellectual journey while maintaining a strong grasp of the fundamentals.
Dissertation
Core Modules
Compulsory Modules
Students also take ONE of the following:
Optional Modules
Choose module(s) to the total value of 30 credits from:
- module(s) from the Development Studies list below to the value of 30 credits
- open option modules to the value of 30 credits from another department
- module from the Development Studies list below to the value of 15 credits
- open option modules to the value of 15 credits from another department
List of modules (subject to availability)
Development Studies
Programme Specification
Important notice
The information on the programme page reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. If you are a current student you can find structure information on the previous year link at the top of the page or through your Department. Please read the important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules.
Materials
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.
Teaching & Learning
Our teaching and learning approach is designed to support and encourage students in their own process of self-learning, and to develop their own ideas, responses and critique of international development practice and policy. We do this through a mixture of lectures, and more student-centred learning approaches (including tutorials and seminars). Teaching combines innovative use of audio-visual materials, practical exercises, group discussions, and weekly guided reading and discussions, as well as conventional lecturing.
In addition to the taught part of the masters programme, all students will write a 10,000 word dissertation. Students develop their research topic under the guidance and supervision of an academic member of the Department. Students are encouraged to explore a particular body of theory or an academic debate relevant to their programme through a focus on a particular region.
Contact Hours
All Masters programmes consist of 180 credits, made up of taught modules of 30 or 15 credits, taught over 10 or 20 weeks, and a dissertation of 60 credits. The programme structure shows which modules are compulsory and which optional.
As a rough guide, 1 credit equals approximately 10 hours of work. Most of this will be independent study, including reading and research, preparing coursework, revising for examinations and so on. It will also include class time, which may include lectures, seminars and other classes. Some subjects, such as learning a language, have more class time than others. At SOAS, most postgraduate modules have a one hour lecture and a one hour seminar every week, but this does vary.
More information is on the page for each module.
Tuition Fees
Full details of postgraduate tuition fees can be found on the Registry's Postgraduate Tuition Fees page.
This is a Band 5 tuition fee.
Fees for 2021/22 entrants. The fees below are per academic year. Fees go up each year, therefore, your tuition fee in your second & subsequent years of study will be higher. Our continuing students, on the same degree programme, are protected from annual increases higher than 5%.
Full-time |
Part-time 2 Years |
Part-time 3 Years |
UK Students |
Overseas Students |
UK Students |
Overseas Students |
UK Students |
Overseas Students |
£13,360 |
£22,840 |
£6,680 |
£11,420 |
£4,450 |
£7,610 |
Scholarships
Application Deadline: 2021-01-29 00:00
Application Deadline: 2021-02-15 00:00
Application Deadline: 2021-05-31 00:00
Application Deadline: 2021-05-31 00:00
Application Deadline: 2021-05-31 00:00
Application Deadline: 2021-05-31 00:00
Application Deadline: 2021-05-31 00:00
Application Deadline: 2021-05-31 00:00
Application Deadline: 2021-05-31 00:00
Application Deadline: 2021-05-31 00:00
Application Deadline: 2021-04-30 00:00
Application Deadline: 2020-06-05 15:00
For further details and information on external scholarships visit the Scholarships section
MSc Violence, Conflict & Development postgraduate students leave SOAS with a portfolio of widely transferable skills which employers seek. These include analytical skills, presentation skills, the ability to think laterally and employ critical reasoning, and knowing how to present materials and ideas effectively both orally and in writing. A postgraduate degree is a valuable experience that provides students with a body of work and a diverse range of skills that they can use to market themselves with when they graduate. Graduates from MsC Violence, Conflict & Development have gone on to work in a range of different organisations, including Development and Human Rights Organisations, and many have continuted in the field of research.
Graduates have gone on to work for a range of organisations including:
ActionAid Amnesty International BBC World Service British Overseas Network for Development NGOs Department for International Development Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Finland European Bank for Reconstruction & Development Fairtrade International Foundation Rwanda Immigration Advisory Service Institute for Human Development Institute for Public Policy Research International Land Coalition (ILC) |
Islamic Relief Worldwide Landmine Action Mekong Economics Ltd NATO Overseas Development Institute Save the Children The Climate Group The Japan Foundation The World Bank UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations UNICEF Libya Response Team World Health Organization |
Types of roles that graduates have gone on to do include:
Regional Project Development Intern For Africa Emergencies Programme Manager International Mobilisation Coordinator Development Officer Broadcasting Journalist Humanitarian Policy Advisor East and Central Africa Projects Manager Horn of Africa Analyst Global Policy Consultant Operational Support Officer Senior Project Manager |
Development Economist Journalist Defense Policy and Strategy Analyst Director Counter Extremism and Deradicalization Political Researcher International Programmes Officer Ethical Trade Executive Education Coordinator Community Investment Coordinator Women and Peace building Specialist Programme Analyst |
For more information about Graduate Destinations from this department, please visit the Careers Service website.
A Student's Perspective
SOAS seems to attract students who are both intellectually engaged with the world around them, and committed to making an impact in that world. I wanted to be a part of that magic. For example my cohort group of MPhil/PhD students represent some of the most humble and committed practitioners, activists, and intellectuals I’ve come across in one setting.
Robtel Neajai Pailey