The SOAS BA International Relations degree provides a uniquely global and comparative approach to the study of world affairs. Through a study of world history and global power relations, students gain a better understanding of the sources of conflict and cooperation among states, shifts in the international economy, as well as the roles of culture, identity and ideas in world politics. Students finish the degree equipped with the conceptual tools and theoretical frameworks to understand contemporary world events.
The BA International Relations programme is structured around a combination of disciplinary, regional and specialised modules, with opportunities to take other Politics option modules (e.g. Political Theory, Government and Politics of the Middle East, Islam and Democracy) or a language.
Teaching on the International Relations degree focuses on providing students with individual attention and mentoring. Students can specialise in a particular area of interest in their final year if they wish, by undertaking an independent study project, which pairs them with a member of staff. We also offer advice on careers, internships and further study in international affairs.
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 2020/21 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 Rahul Rao Convenor
Please see the Unistats data for the various combinations of this programme under the Combinations tab.
The study of International Relations can be combined with a wide range of social science and humanities subjects, or with the study of languages and regions of Asia, Africa and the Middle East only available at SOAS.
PLEASE NOTE: Students taking BA International Relations with another subject must satisfy the requirements of both Departments.
+ 4 year degree with (compulsory) 1 year abroad
++ 3 or 4 year degree with option of 1 year abroad
Click on a combined programme to load KIS data
This information describes the International Relations component of a two-subject degree.
Over the course of a three-year degree, students must complete 360 credits. These can be split evenly between both subjects (180/180), or be varied between the two subjects if the programme structure gives scope for this. Students must have at least 150 credits in one subject (with a maximum of 240 credits being possible) and 120 credits in the other subject (with a maximum of 210 credits being possible) in order to be awarded a two-subject degree. The subject in which the higher amount of credits has been passed will be named first on the final degree awarded.
PLEASE NOTE: Students taking BA International Relations with another subject must satisfy the requirements of both Departments.
Students will take the following core module
| Module | Code | Credits | Term | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to International Relations | 153400085 | 30 | Full Year |
Students will also take ONE of the following core modules
| Module | Code | Credits | Term | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Political Analysis | 153400086 | 30 | Full Year | |
| Introduction to Global History | 153400084 | 30 | Full Year |
Students will take modules to the value of 60 credits from the second subject
Students will take ONE of the following core modules
| Module | Code | Credits | Term | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| War and the International | 153400077 | 30 | Full Year | |
| Politics of the World Economy | 153400083 | 30 | Full Year | |
| Religion and World Politics | 153402000 | 30 | Full Year |
Students will also take ONE of the following core modules
| Module | Code | Credits | Term | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 30 | Full Year |
Students will take modules to the value of 60 credits from the second subject
Students will take guided modules to the value of 30 credits from the Year 3 List A below
AND
Students will take modules to the value of 30 credits from either the Year 3 List A or List B OR 30 credits from their Second Subject
Students will take modules to the value of 30 credits from either the Year 3 List A or List B OR 30 credits from the Open Options (Languages | Non-languages) Lists OR 30 credits from their Second Subject
The student will take modules to the value of 30 credits in the second subject.
| Module | Code | Credits | Term | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Globalisation and global governance | 153400070 | 15 | Term 1 | |
| Identity in International Relations | 153400073 | 15 | Term 1 | |
| 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 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.
If International Relations is combined with a language in a 4-year degree course, students spend a study year abroad
Full details of undergraduate tuition fees can be found on the Registry's Undergraduate Tuition Fees page.
Fees for 2020/21 entrants. The fees below are per academic year. Please note that fees go up each year.
| Programme | Full-Time | |
|---|---|---|
| UK/EU Students |
Overseas Students |
|
| BA, BSc, LLB | £9,250 | £18,630 |
| BA/BSc Language Year Abroad | £1,385 | £9,320 |
Application Deadline: 2019-04-30 00:00
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.