The MSc International Politics explores key issues and debates in world politics from a variety of perspectives. We cover important questions such as: Why do wars happen? Is global peace possible? How is power exercised in international politics? What are the conditions for cooperation among states? How does migration challenge and change the international political order? We look at orthodox answers to such questions and interrogate them through a variety of critical, non-Western and marginalised views. Students will utilise different theoretical lenses in combination with SOAS’s rich empirical expertise, and are invited to examine the dynamics of world politics from the perspective of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. We also interrogate how international politics is informed by questions of empire, colonialism, race, gender and class.

This programme is ideal for students who want to learn about key issues, themes and debates in world politics, or those who are interested in how international politics is practiced in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. It will be of particular interest to students and practitioners who want to pursue a career in international organisations, diplomacy, think tanks, non-governmental organisations and global advocacy groups.

Start of programme: September intake only

Mode of Attendance: Full-time or Part-time

Students take taught modules to the value of 120 credits + dissertation. Credits must be taken in the following combination.

• International Theory (15 credits) & Methodology in the Social Sciences (15 credits)
• At least 45 credits from List B
• Up to 45 credits from List C
• 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

Compulsory Modules

Core Module

List B - A minimum of 30 credits from List B

List C - A maximum of 45 credits from List C (maximum of which can be 30 credits of language options)

Programme Specification

• MSc International Politics Programme Specification 2020/21 (pdf; 156kb)

Important notice

Teaching & Learning

Modules are taught by a combination of methods, principally lectures, tutorial classes, seminars and supervised individual study projects.

The MSc programme consists of three taught modules (corresponding to three examination papers) and a dissertation.

Lectures

Most modules involve a 50-minute lecture as a key component with linked tutorial classes.

Seminars

At Masters level there is particular emphasis on seminar work taking place in two-hour sessions. 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:

For more information about Graduate Destinations from this department, please visit the Careers Service website.