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
Compulsory Modules
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
SOAS is more than a university and a place to get an education, it is a community and a big diverse family.
Arzu Abbasova