Start of programme: September intake only
Mode of Attendance: Full-time or Part-time
The Department of Politics and International Studies offers seven linked masters programmes in politics and the international politics of Asia and Africa. The MSc in International Politics might be classified as a disciplinary MSc. In it, the objective is to give the student the opportunity to undertake a rigorous training in political theory, with special reference to the study of politics outside Europe and America. At Masters level there is particular emphasis on seminar work. Students make full-scale presentations for each unit that they take, and are expected to write substantial papers that often require significant independent work.Students take taught modules to the value of 120 credits + dissertation. Credits must be taken in the following combination.
*All modules offered by the Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy are subject to convenors’ approval.
| Module | Code | Credits | Term | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International theory | 15PPOH014 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Module | Code | Credits | Term | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Relations 1: Foundations of World Politics | 15PFFH002 | 15 | Term 1 | |
| Global Advocacy | 15PFFH012 | 15 | Term 1 | |
| Conflict, rights and justice | 15PPOH018 | 15 | Term 1 | |
| Political society in the Middle East | 15PPOH008 | 15 | Term 1 | |
| Approaches to Comparative Political Thought | 15PPOH028 | 15 | Term 1 | |
| Violence, justice and the politics of memory | 15PPOH019 | 15 | Term 1 | |
| Japan Unravelled | 15PPOH033 | 15 Credits | - Not Running 2018/19 | |
| Foreign Policy Analysis | 15PPOH013 | 15 | Term 2 | |
| International migration and diaspora politics | 15PPOH012 | 15 | Term 1 | |
| Security governance | 15PPOH015 | 15 | Term 1 | Not Running 2018/2019 |
| State and Society in Central Asia and the Caucasus | 15PPOH022 | 15 | Term 1 |
This would be focused on some aspect of International Politics raised by the compulsory module 15PPOH014.
| Module | Code | Credits | Term | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dissertation in Political Studies | 15PPOC999 | 60 | Full Year |
If you are a current student you can find structure information on Moodle or through your Department.
Courses are taught by a combination of methods, principally lectures, tutorial classes, seminars and supervised individual study projects.
The MSc programme consists of three taught courses (corresponding to three examination papers) and a dissertation.
Most courses involve a 50-minute lecture as a key component with linked tutorial classes.
At Masters level there is particular emphasis on seminar work. Students make full-scale presentations for each unit that they take, and are expected to write papers that often require significant independent work.
A quarter of the work for the degree is given over to the writing of an adequately researched 10,000-word dissertation. Students are encouraged to take up topics which relate the study of a particular region to a body of theory.
SOAS Library
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 postgraduate tuition fees can be found on the Registry's Postgraduate Tuition Fees page.
This is a Band 3 tuition fee.
Fees for 2018/19 entrants. The fees below are per academic year. Please note that fees go up each year.
| Full-time | Part-time 2 Years | Part-time 3 Years | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK/EU Students |
Overseas Students |
UK/EU Students |
Overseas Students |
UK/EU Students |
Overseas Students |
| £11,545 | £19,730 | £5,773 | £9,865 | £3,848 | £6,577 |
Application Deadline: 2018-01-29 00:00
Application Deadline: 2018-01-29 00:00
Application Deadline: 2018-02-20 17:00
Application Deadline: 2018-02-20 17:00
Application Deadline: 2018-02-20 17:00
Application Deadline: 2018-06-05 00:00
For further details and information on external scholarships visit the Scholarships section
SOAS MSc International Politics students leave SOAS not only with a knowledge and understanding of the complex political and cultural issues of international 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.
Graduates have gone on to work for a range of organisations including:
| Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP Consulate-General of Japan in New York Danish Institute for International Studies Finnish Broadcasting Company Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Media Programme Africa NATO Redd Barna (Save the Children Norway) Reuters |
Saïd Foundation The Next Century Foundation The Risk Advisory Group The World Bank United Nations Development Programme United States Government World Economic Forum |
| Paralegal Research Advisor Middle East and North Africa Analyst Associate Editor Academic Relations Specialist Journalist Program Assistant, MENA Political Risk Analyst |
Oil and Gas Consultant Regional Consultant Social Media Manager and Contributor Project Director Operations Analyst Lecturer Project Manager |
For more information about Graduate Destinations from this department, please visit the Careers Service website.
Mark RobinsonThe experience was excellent throughout. Each of the four modules was challenging and I learnt more about topics I was already interested in. The programme also led me to discover research material that I would have otherwise been unaware of.
If you still have questions about this programme or studying at SOAS get in touch.
Postgraduate programme applications should be made through our online application system.
