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.
Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings
Start of programme: September
Mode of Attendance: Full-time
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%
Fees for 2021/22 entrants. 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 Undergraduate Tuition Fees page
Dr Rafeef Ziadah Convenor
Dr Rahul Rao Convenor
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.
Students will take the following core modules (60 credits total):
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Comparative Politics | 153400079 | 30 | Full Year |
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 |
Students will take TWO of these two guided option modules (60 credits total):
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Global History | 153400084 | 30 | Full Year |
| Introduction to Political Theory | 153400001 | 30 | Full Year |
Students will take the following core module:
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Political theory | 153400054 | 30 | Full Year |
| Comparative political sociology of Asia and Africa | 153400067 | 30 | Full Year |
| Politics of development | 153400042 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Politics of the World Economy | 153400083 | 15 | Term 2 |
| War and the International | 153400077 | 30 | Full Year |
| Religion and World Politics | 153402000 | 30 | Full Year |
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
Students will take AT LEAST 30 credits from both List A and List B (60 credits total).
Remaining credits taken from either list, including up to 30 credits from the approved Open Option lists (Language Open Options | Non-language Open Options).
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government and politics of China | 153400071 | 30 | Full Year |
| Government and politics of South Asia | 153400020 | 30 | Full Year |
| Government and politics of the Middle East | 153400060 | 30 | Full Year |
| The state and politics in Africa | 153400064 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Southeast Asian government and politics | 153400022 | 30 | Full Year |
| Taiwan's Politics and International Relations | 153400072 | 30 | Full Year |
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Relations of East Asia | 153400078 | 30 | Full Year |
| 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 1 |
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Globalisation and global governance | 153400070 | 15 | Term 1 |
| 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 2 |
| Decolonising World Politics | 153402002 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Key Debates on Neoliberalism | 153402003 | 15 | Term 1 |
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.
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.
Full details of undergraduate tuition fees can be found on the Registry's Undergraduate Tuition Fees page.
Fees for 2021/22 entrants. The fees below are per academic year. Please note that fees go up each year.
| Programme | Full-Time | |
|---|---|---|
| UK Students |
Overseas Students |
|
| BA, BSc, LLB | £9,250 | £19,560 |
| BA/BSc Language Year Abroad | £1,385 | £9,780 |
For further details and information on external scholarships visit the Scholarships section
If you still have questions about this programme or studying at SOAS get in touch.
Undergraduate applications should be made through UCAS.