International Studies and Diplomacy

The MA/PG Diploma International Studies and Diplomacy (ISD) programme is designed for those engaged in or planning to embark upon a professional career requiring international expertise in government, not-for-profit, corporate or academic environments.

The degree aims to prepare students for roles such as within a Foreign Service or other government department, international civil service (such as the United Nations or European Union), international NGOs (working in fields such as development, humanitarian assistance and conflict resolution) multinational corporations and international media.

The programme also suits those engaged in or considering research roles such as within a policy think tank, risk analysis organisation or doctoral programme; seeking to deepen their academic and practical understanding of international affairs and contemporary diplomatic practice.

The programme has a multi-disciplinary structure and draws on the teaching and research strengths of CISD and of the SOAS departments of International Politics, Law, Economics and area studies (especially of Asia, Africa and the Middle East) as well as a wide range of languages. Students choose a combination of courses to meet their specific professional needs and personal interests.

We welcome applications from academically strong individuals from a wide variety of fields and backgrounds. However it is not necessary to have a first degree in a discipline directly related to the programme.

Each application is assessed on its individual merits and entry requirements may be modified in light of relevant professional experience and where the applicant can demonstrate a sustained practical interest in the international field.

MA candidates must select either three MA ISD course and write a dissertation, or two MA ISD courses and one elective course and write a dissertation.

Students take taught courses to the value of 3 full units plus 10,000 word dissertation

One unit (or two half units) from A

One unit (or two half units) from A or B

One unit (or two half units) from A, B or C

Dissertation (compulsory) on a topic related to the programmes core themes

Postgraduate Diploma candidates take courses as the MA, excluding the dissertation.

A). International Studies and Diplomacy Courses

• General Diplomatic Studies and Practice
• International Relations 1; Foundations of World Politics
• International Relations 2; Contemporary World Politics
• International Law 1; Foundation
• International Law 2; Contemporary Problems of World Order
• International Economics
• International Security
• Sport and Diplomacy: "More than a Game"
• The United Nations in the World

B). Additional courses available within CISD

• Global Energy and Climate Policy
• Multinational Enterprises in a Globalizing world Economic and Legal Perspectives

C). Electives

Please note that acceptance onto an elective course is subject to availability of places, timetabling, and the approval of the convenor of that course.

Suggested electives for International Studies and Diplomacy students Full Unit Courses (1.0)

• China and International Politics (15PPOC018)
• Chinese Commercial Law (15PLAC106)
• Comparative Politics of the Middle East (15PPOC026)
• Economic Development of South East Asia (15PECC004)
• Economic Dynamics of the Asia-Pacific Region (15PECC334)
• Economic Problems and Policies in Modern China (15PECC035)
• Government and Politics in Africa (15PPOC205)
• Government and Politics of Modern South Asia (15PPOC003)
• Government and Politics of Modern South East Asia (15PPOC247)
• International Politics of East Asia (15PPOC251)
• Modern Chinese Law and Human Rights (15PLAC139)
• State and Society in the Chinese Political Process (15PPOC012)
• Taiwan's Politics and Cross-Strait Relations (15PPOC252)
• Theory, Policy and Practice of Development (15PDSC001)
• World War II, Cold War and the War on Terror: The United States and South East Asia (15PHIC059)

Half-Unit Courses (0.5)

• Cross Cultural Management (15PFM076)
• Economic Development of Modern Taiwan (15PECH002)
• International Political Communication (15PMSH009)
• Japanese Modernity I (15PHIH013)
• Japanese Modernity II (15PHIH014)
• Power in World Politics (15PPOH017)
• The International History of the Contemporary World (15PHIH021)
• The Transnational News Environment: Production, Representation and Use (15PMSH006)
• Topics in the Chinese Economy (15PFMC075)

NB: Although all ISD core courses run every year, we cannot guarantee that all elective courses offered during the pre-registration period will be available for each academic session.

Applicants should have a first or good second class honours bachelors degree from a UK university, or equivalent, in a subject appropriate to that of the programme to be followed. As an approximate comparison, an equivalent BA from a US university would have a Grade Point Average of either 3.3 or 3.5 depending on the awarding university. If an applicant does not have a bachelors degree in an appropriate field s/he may be required to complete a qualifying year or a one year diploma before entering the masters programme. Relevant work experience may also be taken into consideration. Individual courses may have specific entry requirements, so you are advised to consult the postgraduate prospectus for further information.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.

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)