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.
Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings
Start of programme: September intake only
Mode of Attendance: Full-time or Part-time
Entry requirements
- The qualification for entry is normally a first or upper-second class honours degree (or equivalent) in Politics or International Relations, or a related social science discipline. Applicants without such a background may be considered for admission depending on their academic training and undergraduate performance.
- duration:
- One calendar year (full-time)
Two or three years (part-time, daytime only)
Students take taught modules to the value of 120 credits + dissertation. Credits must be taken in the following combination.
- 15-credit module from A (this module is compulsory)
- A combined total of 105 credits from lists B, C, D or E, with no more than 30 credits coming from List E.
- Dissertation (60 credits, compulsory) on some aspect of International Politics
*All modules offered by the Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy are subject to convenors’ approval.
Dissertation
Taught Component
Core Module
AND
Guided Options
Choose modules to the value of 15 credits from list B below
AND
Guided Options
Choose modules to the value of 30 credits from lists B, C or D below
AND
Guided Options
Choose modules to the value of 30 credits from lists C or D below
AND
Guided Options
Choose modules to the value of 30 credits from lists C, D or E below
List of modules (subject to availability)
List B
List C
List D
List E
Programme Specification
Important notice
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.
Teaching & Learning
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.
Lectures
Most courses involve a 50-minute lecture as a key component with linked tutorial classes.
Seminars
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.
Dissertation
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.
Learning Resources
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.
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 |
Types of roles that graduates have gone on to do include:
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.
A Student's Perspective
I realised that one of the most pressing contemporary issues in need of qualified social scientists is climate change. I wanted a program that skilled me with the multidisciplinary understanding necessary to deal with the complexity of this challenge.
Stina Maria Lindholm
