The Politics degree at SOAS is structured around four core subdisciplines, namely political theory, political sociology, political economy, and international relations. Students receive a thorough training in the theories and methods of these sub-disciplines, which are then applied to the analysis of real world political situations.

By studying Politics at SOAS, students will gain detailed knowledge and a thorough understanding of some of the most important power shifts and conflicts of ideas unfolding in the world today. They will also learn to critically engage with and explore the relevance of social science concepts for understanding contemporary geopolitics, regional politics of Asia, Africa and the Middle East, as well as the ability to undertake analyses and comparisons of political developments in specific countries.

Teaching in the Department of Politics and International Studies combines an introduction to the discipline of politics as a comparative exercise together with awareness that comparisons must always respect the individuality of each country and population. This awareness is complemented by the work carried out in other departments of SOAS. A Politics degree at SOAS therefore gives our students a better opportunity than most to understand global politics since our courses cover the politics of three quarters of the globe. BA Politics may be taken as a single subject or two-subject degree.  A sampling of the modules we offer include Government and Politics of Asia, of China, of the Middle East, and of Africa, International Politics, Islam and Democracy, Politics of Development, Globalization and Global Governance, and Politics of Culture.

Programme Code: L202 BA/POL

Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings

Start of programme: September

Mode of Attendance: Full-time

Year 1

Core Modules

Students will take the following 3 core modules (90 credits total):

Optional Modules

Students will take ONE of the following modules OR modules to the value of 30 credits from the Language Open Options list.

Year 2

Credits must be taken in the following combination;

• Introduction to Research Methods (153400156) (15 credits) 
• A minimum of 30 credits from Year 2 Disciplinary AND
• A minimum of 30 credits from Year 2 Regional modules
• Remaining credits to be taken from Second Year Options OR a maximum of 30 credits from the Open Option lists (Languages | Non-languages)
  
  

Year 3

Credits must be taken in the following combination;

• A minimum of 45 credits from List A AND
• A minimum of 15 credits from List B
• Remaining credits can be taken from Lists A, B, C OR open options (maximum of 30 credits from the Open Options list Language Open Options | Non-language Open Options).
  

 Disciplinary Modules

Regional Modules

Second Year Options

List A

List B

Programme Specification

• BA Politics Programme Specification 2021/22 (pdf; 776kb)

Important notice

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.

SOAS BA Politics students leave SOAS not only with a knowledge and understanding of the complex political and cultural issues of global politics, but also with a portfolio of widely transferable skills which employers seek in many professional and management careers, both in business and in the public sector. 

Politics students follow many different careers in business, government, international organisations and NGOs, as well as further study.

Graduates have gone on to work for a range of organisations including: