Start of programme: September intake only
Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time
Who is this programme for?:
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.
Students must take 180 credits comprised of 120 taught credits (including core and option modules) and a 60 credit dissertation.
Applicants apply for, and will be formally enrolled on, the MSc Violence, Conflict and Development programme. Students wishing to follow the Palestine Studies Pathway will take two core modules ‘Political Economy of Violence, Conflict and Development’, and EITHER ‘Political Economy of Development’ OR ‘Theory, Policy and Practice of Development’, two modules specific to Palestine and a dissertation (which must be written on a Palestine-related topic). In addition, students have a choice of option modules.
If the above combination of core modules has been successfully completed, students may request that the following specialism appears on their final degree transcript: 'MSc Violence, Conflict and Development with special reference to Palestine'.
Please note that not all option modules may run every year. Modules at other institutions (intercollegiate) are not part of the approved programme structure.
Part-time study
Students can take this programme part-time over 2 or 3 years. Students usually complete their core modules in Year 1 and their option modules and dissertation in subsequent years.
Core Modules
Students take the following THREE core modules:
Optional Core Modules
Students then choose ONE of the following modules:
Option Modules in other Departments
Students choose modules to the value of 30 credits from the list below:
China and Inner Asia
Cultural Literary and Postcolonial Studies
Development Studies
Gender Studies
History
History of Art and Archaeology
International Studies and Diplomacy
Law
Media Studies
Music
Near and Middle East Studies
Politics and International Studies
Non-Assessed Course
All MSc students in Development Studies are eligible to attend the one-term, non-assessed course, Economics for Beginners, which introduces students to basic concepts in microeconomics, macroeconomics, development economics, and statistics and econometrics.
This is the structure for 2017/18 applicants
If you are a current student you can find structure information on Moodle or through your Faculty.
Programme Specification
Disclaimer
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
Modules are taught by a combination of methods, principally lectures, tutorial classes, seminars and supervised individual study projects.
The MSc programme consists of three taught modules (corresponding to three examination papers) and a dissertation.
Lectures
Most modules involve a two hour 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.
Tuition Fees
Full details of postgraduate tuition fees can be found on the Registry's Postgraduate Tuition Fees page.
This is a Band 3 tuition fee.
Fees for 2017/18 entrants. The fees below are per academic year. Please note that fees go up each year.
| Full-time | Part-time 2 Years | Part-time 3 Years |
|---|
UK/EU
Students | Overseas
Students | UK/EU
Students | Overseas
Students | UK/EU
Students | Overseas
Students |
|---|
| £10,995 |
£18,790 |
£5,498 |
£9,395 |
£3,665 |
£6,263 |
Scholarships
Application Deadline: 2017-01-31 17:00
Application Deadline: 2017-01-31 17:00
Application Deadline: 2017-02-22 17:00
Application Deadline: 2017-02-22 17:00
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
The exposure to different perspectives was more than I could have ever imagined in another developed, English speaking country. The progressive students and faculty at SOAS challenged assumptions I have developed from my experience.
Kemi Oyewole, Spelman College
