SOAS University of London

Department of Politics and International Studies

BA Politics and International Relations (2018 entry)

  • Structure
  • Teaching and Learning

Overview

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%

Featured events

duration:
3 years

Convenors

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.

Year 1

Compulsory Modules

Students will take the following compulsory modules (60 credits total):

Module Code Credits Term
Introduction to Comparative Politics 153400079 30 Full Year
Compulsory Modules

Students will take the following two compulsory modules:

Module Code Credits Term
Introduction to International Relations 153400085 30 Full Year
Introduction to Political Analysis 153400086 30 Full Year
Guided Options

Students will take TWO (60 credits total) from the following list of optional modules:

Module Code Credits Term
Introduction to Global History 153400084 30 Full Year
Introduction to Political Theory 153400001 30 Full Year
Year 2
Core Modules

Students will take the following core module:

Module Code Credits Term
Political Theory 153400054 30
Politics of development 153400042 15 Term 2
Politics Disciplinary Options
Module Code Credits Term
Politics of the World Economy 153400083 15 Term 1
Religion and World Politics 153402000 1

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
Module Code Credits Term
Government and politics of China 153400071 30 Full Year
Government and politics of the Middle East 153400060 30 Full Year
The state and politics in Africa 153400064 15 Term 1
International Relations Regional Options
Module Code Credits Term
International Relations of Africa 153400090 30 Full Year
International Relations of the Middle East 153400081 30 Full Year
International Relations of South Asia 153400082 15 Term 2
List A
Module Code Credits Term
Globalisation and Global Governance 153400070 15 Term 2
Identity in International Relations 153400073 15 Term 2
International Institutions and World Politics 153400068 15 Term 2
Going Global: An Introduction to International Migration 153400088 15 Term 2
African Political Thought 153402004 15 Term 1
Decolonising World Politics 153402002 15 Term 1
Key Debates on Neoliberalism 153402003 15 Term 2
List B
Module Code Credits Term
Final Year Project in International Relations 153402005 30 Full Year
Politics of the World Economy 153400083 15 Term 1
International Relations of Africa 153400090 30 Full Year
International Relations of the Middle East 153400081 30 Full Year
International Relations of South Asia 153400082 15 Term 2
Political Theory 153400054 30
Politics of development 153400042 15 Term 2
Islam and Democracy 153400065 30 Full Year
Politics of Nationalism 153400057 15 Term 1
Government and politics of China 153400071 30 Full Year
Government and politics of the Middle East 153400060 30 Full Year
The state and politics in Africa 153400064 15 Term 1
Politics of Culture 153400075 15 Term 2
Politics of Gender 153400074 15 Term 2
Issues in Turkish Politics 153400076 15 Term 1
Conflict, Rights and Justice 153402006 15 Term 1
Final Year Project in Politics 153400053 30 Full Year

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 and Learning

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.

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