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
Entry requirements
- We will consider all applications with 2:ii (or international equivalent) or higher. In addition to degree classification we take into account other elements of the application including supporting statement and references.
- duration:
- One calendar year (full-time)
Two or three years (part-time, daytime only)
Fees 2020/21
- UK/EU fees:
- £12,720
- Overseas fees:
- £21,750
Fees for 2020/21 entrants. This is a Band 3 fee. 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 Postgraduate Tuition Fees page
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
Core Module
List B
List C
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
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.
Tuition Fees
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 2020/21 entrants. The fees below are per academic year. Fees go up each year, therefore, your tuition fee in your second & subsequent years of study will be higher. Our continuing students, on the same degree programme, are protected from annual increases higher than 5%.
| 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 |
| £12,720 |
£21,750 |
£6,360 |
£10,875 |
£4,240 |
£7,250 |
Scholarships
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 |
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 came to SOAS because I wanted to gain a detailed insight into the politics and political systems of the developing world, but I’ve got so much more than that
Joe Buckley
