The joint BA programme in Politics & International Relations offers students the ability to combine our two disciplinary streams throughout their training, giving them a broad base of knowledge from which to analyse politics within and amongst countries. Students will choose from the options available to both joint degree programmes, and will take a compulsory course in Political Analysis in the first year.
At the end of the course, students will have developed a uniquely insightful and rounded approach to understanding political questions and current affairs across the world. The degree structure offers deep engagement with regional and international politics in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, as well as problem-driven engagements with war, development, international organisations, state power, social movements, the global economy and other aspects of political life.
Teaching on the degree programme is tailored towards improving students’ understanding of the subjects, writing and presentation abilities and developing their skills as independent and critical thinkers. Whilst more introductory courses often consist of larger lectures followed up by smaller group seminars, more advanced and specialised courses encourage more student responsibility and leadership over the material.
Convenors: Dr Alexis Artaud de la Ferrière (term 1) and Dr Rahul Rao (terms 2 and 3)
Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings
Start of programme: September
Mode of Attendance: Full-time
Entry requirements
- A Levels:
- AAA
- IB:
- 37 (6/6/6)
View alternative entry requirements
BTEC: DDD
Access to HE: Minimum of 30 Level 3 Credits at Distinction
Scottish Highers: AAAAA
Scottish Advanced Highers: AAA
Irish LC: 360 points from 5 Higher level subjects at grade C1 or above
Advanced Placement: 4 5 5 (Two semesters - UCAS Group A) plus US HSGD with GPA 3.0
Euro Bacc: 85%
French Bacc: 15/20
German Abitur: 1.5
Italy DES: 85/100
Austria Mat: 1.5
Polish Mat: 80%
- duration:
- 3 years
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.
Year 1
Compulsory Modules
Students will take the following compulsory modules (60 credits total):
Compulsory Modules
Students will take the following two compulsory modules:
Guided Options
Students will take TWO (60 credits total) from the following list of optional modules:
Year 2
Core Modules
Students will take the following core module:
Politics Disciplinary Options
AND
Students will take compulsory modules to the value of 30 credits from list A below
AND
Students will take compulsory modules to the value of 30 credits from list B below
Year 3
Credits must be taken in the following combination;
- 30-60 credits from List A
- 30-60 credits from List B
- Up to 30 credits from aproved Open Options list Language Open Options | Non-language Open Options).
Politics Regional Options
International Relations Regional Options
List A
List B
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.
Teaching & Learning
Classes are taught through lectures, tutorials and seminars. Assessment is by a combination of written examination and essays.
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.