International Politics

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.

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.

Students take taught courses to the value of 3 full units + dissertation:

ONE half-unit from A (compulsory) and ONE half-unit from B

ONE unit from C

ONE unit (or 2 half-units) from D

Dissertation (compulsory) on some aspect of International Politics

A. Compulsory Course:

• International theory - 15PPOH014 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1

B. ONE from the following:

• Violence, justice and the politics of memory - 15PPOH019 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
• Queer Politics in Asia, Africa and the Middle East - 15PPOH020 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
• Sociology of International Norms - 15PPOH024 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
• International migration and diaspora politics - 15PPOH012 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
• Security governance - 15PPOH015 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
• Power in world politics - 15PPOH017 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 - Not Running 2012/2013
• Conflict, rights and justice - 15PPOH018 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
• Geopolitics: Space and Power - 15PPOH025 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
• Comparative International Political Thought - 15PPOH021 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
• Islam and politics - 15PPOH006 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
• Foreign policy analysis - 15PPOH013 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 - Not Running 2012/2013

C. ONE from the following Regional International Politics courses:

• International politics of Africa - 15PPOC009 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• China and international politics - 15PPOC018 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• International politics of the Middle East - 15PPOC027 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• International politics of East Asia - 15PPOC251 (1 Unit) - Full Year

D. ONE from the following Regional Politics courses (or two half courses):

• State and development in Asia and Africa - 15PPOC017 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• State & society in Asia & Africa - 15PPOC008 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Government and politics in Africa - 15PPOC205 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Government and politics of modern South Asia - 15PPOC003 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Government and politics of modern South East Asia - 15PPOC247 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• State and society in the Chinese political process - 15PPOC012 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Taiwan's politics and cross-strait relations - 15PPOC252 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Northeast Asian politics: Japan, Korea and Taiwan - 15PPOC253 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• State and Society in Central Asia and the Caucasus - 15PPOH022 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
• Geopolitics and Security in Central Asia and the Caucasus - 15PPOH023 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
• Political society in the Middle East - 15PPOH008 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
• State and transformation in the Middle East - 15PPOH011 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2

E. Dissertation:

This would be focused on some aspect of International Politics raised by the compulsory course 15PPOH014.

• Dissertation in Political Studies - 15PPOC999 (1 Unit) - Full Year

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.English language requirementsIn order to ensure that SOAS students have a sufficient standard of English to study effectively, we require overseas students to submit evidence, during the application process, of their current level of proficiency.Score for Unconditional EntryIELTS: Overall 7+ with at least 7 in all sub scoresTOEFL: iBT105+ with at least 25 in all sub scoresPearson Test of English - Academic: Score of 75 or above with at least 70 in all sub scores English Language Requirements IELTS band: 7 TOEFL iBT® test: 105 IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.

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Scholarships and Bursaries

There are some scholarships and bursaries available for postgraduate students. These are very competitive and early application is advised.

· The Ahmad Mustafa Abu-Hakima Bursary (programme must include studying the history of the modern Arab world)

· AKS Postgraduate Bursary (in Korean Studies)

· Bernard Buckman Scholarship (MA Chinese Studies, for UK/EU fee paying students)

· The Canon Collins Scholarships at SOAS. There are two scholarships available available in 2013-14 for study at SOAS. These scholarships are for Masters study in any subject field. Open a national of and resident in one of the following countries:
Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe. The application process normally opens in December and closes in February, for study commencing in September the following year. Please go to the Canon Collins website and click "Apply for A Scholarship" and then "Canon Collins Scholarship for Masters Study in the UK" for further information on how to apply.

· Commonwealth Shared Scholarship (for students from African Commonwealth countries)

· D.G.Hall Scholarship (Taught Masters programmes at SOAS, for applicants holding a Burma/Myanmar passport)

· Felix Scholarships (for Indian students)

· Ferguson Scholarships (for African nationals from an African Country)

· HSBC SOAS Scholarships (MA Sinology & MA Chinese Literature, for UK/EU fee paying students)

· Kamran Djam Scholarships (MA Iranian Studies)

· Professor Stuart Wilson Scholarship (MA South East Asian Studies)

· Standard Chartered Scholarships (for a range of full-time Taught Masters programmes. The programmes relate to Asia, Africa, and the Middle East/NorthAfrica)

· Tibawi Trust Awards (for Palestinian students currently enrolled in a programme at SOAS)

· SOAS Master's Scholarships - Faculty of Arts & Humanities - (for any full-time taught masters programme in the Faculty of Arts & Humanities)

· SOAS Master's Scholarships - Faculty of Language & Cultures (for the full-time MA Gender Studies, MA Postcolonial Studies, MA Linguistics, MA Applied Linguistics & Language Pedagogy, MA Language, Documentation and Description, MA Translation Theory and Practice (Asian and African Languages)

· SOAS Master's Scholarships- Faculty of Law and Social Sciences (for any full-time master's programmes in the Department of Development Studies, Economics, Law, Politics & International Studies and Financial & Management Studies)

· Tallow Chandlers and M. W Beer scholarship (MA) (MA Anthropology of Food, for UK/EU fee paying students)

· William Ross Murray Scholarship (LLM, for students from a developing country)