MSc Politics and International Relations (Middle East)
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
* Home | International: £25,320
Key Summary
About: The MSc Politics and International Relations (Middle East) at SOAS University of London requires applying to MSc Politics and International Relations and selecting the Middle East pathway on arrival. It combines regional expertise and disciplinary approaches—political sociology, political economy, international relations—to study resistance, religion, urban politics, migration, human security and technology (AI). It meets ESRC research training guidelines; students are eligible for ESRC funding.
Career Outcomes: You’ll gain subject knowledge and transferable skills for careers in policy, diplomacy, journalism, research, development. Recent employers include BBC World Service, Bloomberg, British Red Cross, British Council, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
MSc Politics and International Relations (Middle East) applicants should apply for MSc Politics and International Relations but can decide to follow the Middle East pathway upon arrival by choosing the pathway's required combination of modules.
SOAS has been a leading institution for the study of the Middle East for decades, and the Department of Politics and International Studies is world-renowned for its scholars’ combination of regional and disciplinary expertise focused on this dynamic and influential region. The Middle East pathway is distinguished by the critical perspective of its scholars and tutors, balancing historical and theoretical rigour with coverage of up-to-the-minute regional and global developments.
Students choose from modules covering the politics of resistance, religion, and solidarity, alongside urban politics, infrastructure, migration, human security, and technology (e.g. AI). The programme trains students in several disciplinary approaches — political sociology, political economy, and international relations — whilst encouraging them to think and write across these disciplinary boundaries.
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 (Middle East) 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)
- We're ranked 7th in the UK for African and Middle Eastern Studies (Complete University Guide 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
- Frameworks of Political Analysis - 15 credits
- International Politics of the Middle East - 15 credits
- Political Society in the Middle East - 15 credits
Guided optons
Students select up to 45 credits of guided options.
- Politics of resistance in the Middle East - 15 credits
- Sectarianism and Colonial Difference - 15 credits
- Urban Politics in the Middle East - 15 credits
Politics options
Students select 15-60 credits depending on your choices from the guided options list.
- Artificial Intelligence and Human Security - 15 credits
- Approaches to Comparative Political Thought - 15 credits
- Foreign Policy Analysis - 15 credits
- International Migration and Diaspora Politics - 15 credits
- International Political Economy - 15 credits
- International Theory - 30 credits
- International Politics of Human Rights - 15 credits
- Introduction to Quantitative Methods in Social Research - 15 credits
- Political Concepts and Global Crises - 15 credits
- The Politics of Global Security - 15 credits
- Political Theory, Race and Empire - 15 credits
- Political Thought on the Just Rebellion - 15 credits
- State Violence: Theories of the Leviathan and Beyond - 15 credits
- Violence, Justice and the Politics of Memory - 15 credits
- Africa: Politics and International Relations I - 15 credits
- Africa: Politics and International Relations II - 15 credits
- China and International Politics I - 15 credits
- China 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.