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
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 Rafeef Ziadah Convenor
Students will take the following 3 core modules (90 credits total):
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Political Analysis | 153400086 | 30 | Full Year |
| Introduction to Comparative Politics | 153400079 | 30 | Full Year |
| Introduction to Political Theory | 153400001 | 30 | Full Year |
Students will take ONE of the following modules OR modules to the value of 30 credits from the Language Open Options list.
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| States, people, and power in Asia and Africa | 153400056 | 30 | Full Year |
| Introduction to Global History | 153400084 | 30 | Full Year |
| Introduction to International Relations | 153400085 | 30 | Full Year |
Students will take the module 'Introduction to Research Methods' (15 credits) alongside a minimum of 30 credits each from the Year 2 Disciplinary Modules AND Year 2 Regional Modules lists below.
Remaining credits taken from Second Year Option list OR a maximum of 30 credits the Open Option lists (Language Open Options | Non-language Open Options)
Students will take a minimum of 45 credits from List A AND a minimum of 15 credits from List B.
Any remaining credits to be taken from List C. Students may also take a maximum of 30 credits from the Open Option lists (Language Open Options | Non-language Open Options)
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comparative political sociology of Asia and Africa | 153400067 | 30 | Full Year |
| Political theory | 153400054 | 30 | Full Year |
| Politics of development | 153400042 | 15 | Term 2 |
| 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 |
| Southeast Asian government and politics | 153400022 | 30 | Full Year |
| The state and politics in Africa | 153400064 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Taiwan's Politics and International Relations | 153400072 | 30 | Full Year |
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| War and the International | 153400077 | 30 | Full Year |
| Politics of the World Economy | 153400083 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Religion and World Politics | 153402000 | 30 | Full Year |
| 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 2 |
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comparative political sociology of Asia and Africa | 153400067 | 30 | Full Year |
| Political theory | 153400054 | 30 | Full Year |
| Politics of development | 153400042 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Politics of Culture | 153400075 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Politics of Gender | 153400074 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Issues in Turkish Politics | 153400076 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Palestine/Israel and the International | 153400087 | 15 | Term 1 |
| 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 South Asia | 153400020 | 30 | Full Year |
| Government and politics of the Middle East | 153400060 | 30 | Full Year |
| Southeast Asian government and politics | 153400022 | 30 | Full Year |
| The state and politics in Africa | 153400064 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Taiwan's Politics and International Relations | 153400072 | 30 | Full Year |
| Politics, Economy, Society: Japan | 153402001 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Conflict, Rights and Justice | 153402006 | 15 | Term 2 |
| 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 2 |
| Decolonising World Politics | 153402002 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Key Debates on Neoliberalism | 153402003 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Final Year Project in Politics | 153400053 | 30 | Full Year |
| Extended essay in Politics | 153400058 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Extended essay in Politics b | 153400061 | 15 | Term 2 |
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.
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.
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 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 |
For further details and information on external scholarships visit the Scholarships section
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:
| Apple BBC - World Service British Council Center for International Peace Operations Channel 4 Civil Rights, Human Rights and Peace Movement Meretz Council for Assisting Refugee Academics Eversheds LLP Financial Times Limited Global Policy Institute Go East Consulting Grassroot Diplomat |
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) LSE Norwegian Broadcasting Corp Oxfam Pakistan Institute of Corporate Governance - PICG Public Affairs Council PWC Standard Chartered Bank Sveriges Riksdag, Swedish Parliament Think Security Africa Uganda Conservation Foundation Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights |
| Asia-Pacific Desk Editor Advisor Donor Development Officer Senior Policy Adviser Grant Programme Officer/Consultant Communications Coordinator Lawyer, International Arbitration and Litigation Editor Film Maker Head of Strategy & Corporate Development Media & Marketing Officer |
Project Manager Senior Clinical Researcher Barrister at Law Market Analyst Foreign Affairs Correspondent Senior Consultant Commercial Advisor Corporate Affairs Manager, Europe Country Director Project Coordinator Journalist Communications strategist |
Ines FakiriStudying at SOAS has completely reshaped the certainties I had of the world surrounding me. Mindblowing experience of learning how to effectively criticise and reassess prejudices about societies, culture and the world.
If you still have questions about this programme or studying at SOAS get in touch.
Undergraduate applications should be made through UCAS.