MSc Politics and International Relations (Conflict, Rights and Justice)
London, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2027
TUITION FEES
GBP 12,965 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Home | International: £25,320
Key Summary
About: The MSc Politics and International Relations (Conflict, Rights and Justice) at SOAS lets students choose the pathway by selecting required modules after applying to the MSc. It focuses on human rights, humanitarian assistance, and transitional justice, and includes seminars, workshops, professional training, a student blog, social events, and a competitive internship. The program meets Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) research-training standards; students are eligible for ESRC funding for PhD study.
Career Outcomes: Graduates gain skills for policy, research, advocacy, diplomacy, humanitarian work, journalism, legal and management roles. Recent employers include BBC, British Red Cross, UNICEF, United Nations, FCDO.
MSc Politics and International Relations (Conflict, Rights and Justice) applicants should apply for MSc Politics and International Relations but can decide to follow the Conflict, Rights and Justice pathway upon arrival by choosing the pathway’s required combination of modules.
The Conflict, Rights and Justice pathway is designed for students working, or intending to work, in the field of rights, humanitarian assistance, and transitional justice. It considers the future of global human rights in a world where, many claim, the influence of the West is declining.
It asks critical questions about the legitimacy and effectiveness of transitional justice mechanisms and humanitarian intervention. Students on this pathway also participate in the activities of the SOAS Centre on Conflict, Rights and Justice, including closed and public seminars, workshops, expert briefings and professional trainings, a student-led blog, regular social events, and the Centre’s key internship scheme (for a small group selected through a competitive application process).
The MSc Politics and International Studies is designed to train students in research skills to the level prescribed by the ESRC's research training guidelines. As a result, students are eligible for ESRC funding if they plan to study for our MSc degree followed by a PhD in our department.
Why study MSc Politics and International Relations (Conflict, Rights and Justice) at SOAS?
- We’re ranked 6th in the UK and 28th worldwide for Politics (QS World University Rankings 2025)
- We’re ranked 3rd globally for Academic Reputation (QS World University Rankings 2025)
- SOAS is unique - our global student body, multi-disciplinary approach, critical and questioning attitude contribute to a vibrant learning environment that stretches students beyond the focus on basic ‘skills training’
- Eligibility for ESRC funding for students who want to follow their MSc degree with a PhD
Students take taught modules to the value of 120 credits plus a 10,000 word dissertation worth 60 credits.
Important notice
The information on the website reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. The modules are indicative options of the content students can expect and are/have been previously taught as part of these programmes.
However, this information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.
Core modules
- Dissertation in Politics and International Studies - 60 credits
- Methodology in the Social Sciences - 15 credits
- Conflict, Rights and Justice - 15 credits
- International Politics of Human Rights - 15 credits
- Violence, Justice and the Politics of Memory - 15 credits
Guided options
Students select 45-75 credits from guided options.
- Artificial Intelligence and Human Security - 15 credits
- International Migration and Diaspora Politics - 15 credits
- International Politics of Human Rights - 15 credits
- Political Thought on the Just Rebellion - 15 credits
- Political violence - 15 credits
- State Violence: Theories of the Leviathan and Beyond - 15 credits
- Violence, Justice and the Politics of Memory - 15 credits
- Global Advocacy - 15 credits
Politics options
Students select 15-30 credits depending on your choices from the guided options list.
- The Politics of Global Security - 15 credits
- Introduction to Quantitative Methods in Social Research - 15 credits
- International Theory - 30 credits
- Frameworks of Political Analysis - 15 credits
- International Political Economy - 15 credits
- Global Energy and Climate Policy (Online) - 30 credits
- Approaches to Comparative Political Thought - 15 credits
- Political Theory, Race and Empire - 15 credits
- Africa: Politics and International Relations I - 15 credits
- Africa: Politics and International Relations II - 15 credits
- Central Asia and the Caucasus: Politics and International Relations I - 15 credits
- Central Asia and the Caucasus: Politics and International Relations II - 15 credits
- China and International Politics I - 15 credits
- China and International Politics II - 15 credits
- Democracy and Authoritarianism in Asia - 15 credits
- International Politics of the Middle East - 15 credits
- Politics of Inequality in Northeast Asia: Japan, Korea and Taiwan - 15 credits
- South Asia: Politics and International Relations I - 15 credits
- South Asia: Politics and International Relations II - 15 credits
- Southeast Asia: Politics and International Relations I - 15 credits
- Southeast Asia: Politics and International Relations II - 15 credits
- State and Transformation in the Middle East - 15 credits
- Taiwan and International Politics I - 15 credits
- Taiwan and International Politics II - 15 credits
SOAS Politics and International Relations students leave SOAS not only with a knowledge and understanding of the complex political and cultural issues of our time, but also with a portfolio of widely transferable skills which employers seek in many professional and management careers.
Recent graduates have been hired by:
- BBC World Service
- Bloomberg
- British Red Cross
- British Council
- Center for International Peace Operations
- Channel 4
- Council for At-Risk Academics (CARA)
- Eversheds LLP
- Financial Times
- Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
- Global Policy Institute
- Go East Consulting
- Grassroot Diplomat
- Palestine Red Crescent Association
- Save the Children
- UNICEF Ethiopia
- United Nations
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 part of the requirement 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 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.