Department of Politics and International Studies

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Start date
Duration
3 years
Start of programme
September 2025
Attendance mode
Full-time
Location
On Campus
Fees

Home: £9,535
International: £22,870

Course code
L250
Entry requirements

A Levels: AAB

Contextualised offer: ABB

See undergraduate entry requirements and English language requirements for international and alternative entry requirements.

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The BA International Relations provides you with an excellent grounding in the complex cultural issues of global politics.

Exploring the political issues of Africa, Asia and the Middle East on a level no other university can, you will learn about mainstream approaches to the study of world politics, as well as critiques. You will develop a historicised appreciation for how, where and why Western-centric lenses of international relations were formed, how relevant they are to the study of Asia, Africa and the Middle East, and what alternative approaches have emerged from these regions.

The programme is genuinely interdisciplinary in nature. It draws on approaches from political science, global history, political economy and sociology to give students an in-depth understanding of international relations and foreign policy across a variety of thematic areas and to develop expertise in regional politics

Our graduates work in a wide variety of fields, including politics, the civil service, the charity sector, media, business, consulting, law and activism. Many also go on to successfully pursue a postgraduate degree in the UK and around the world.

Why study BA International Relations at SOAS?

  • We’re ranked 5th in the UK and 18th worldwide for Politics (QS World University Rankings 2024)
  • 4th globally for academic reputation (QS World University Rankings 2024)
  • 5th in the UK (Guardian League Table 2023)
  • study key issues in world politics today, including questions of war, empire, environmental politics, gender, international institutions, and the global political economy.
  • learn the discipline of International Relations and how to question its boundaries and assumptions.
  • study International Relations from the perspectives beyond the Anglo-American canon, through a focus on the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
  • students can choose to study a language in second and third years

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The BA International Relations is a three-year degree programme. In each year, students need to take modules to the total value of 120 credits following the below structure. Students have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of disciplinary and regional modules offered within the Politics Department, as well as modules offered in other Departments at SOAS as part of their 'open options'.

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.

Year 1 - Compulsory

Year 1 - Guided options

30 credits from guided options OR Language

Year 2 - Compulsory

Year 2 - Guided options

30 credits from guided options OR Language

Year 2 - Guided options - Disciplinary Options

30-45 credits from Disciplinary Options

Year 2 - Guided options - Regional Options

30-45 credits from Regional Options

Year 3 - Guided options - List A

45 credits from List A

Year 3 - Guided options - List B

45-75 credits from List B

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By the end of the programme students will have acquired a range of transferable skills. This includes the ability to collect and synthesise information, read and evaluate complex materials, assess the evidence for a range of different positions, construct arguments, exercise independence of judgement and communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Contact hours

Most of our modules are taught through a combination of lectures and tutorials. Lectures (50 minutes) provide broad overviews of the topic. They are accompanied by tutorials (50 minutes) that give students the opportunity to discuss readings and key issues in small groups. In the final year, modules may also take the form of two-hour seminars allowing for deeper engagement with more specialised topics. 

The programme provides methodological and skills training throughout and allows final year students to undertake an independent research project, such as a dissertation, supervised by an academic member of staff

Learning resources

Students also benefit from the vibrant learning environment SOAS provides more broadly. The 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. Moreover, every year there is a lively events programme that attracts renowned speakers from around the world, allowing students to engage with cutting edge debates on contemporary politics.

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Fees for 2025/26 entrants per academic year

ProgrammeFull-time
Home studentsOverseas students
BA, BSc, LLB£9,535£22,870
BA/BSc Language year abroad£1,385£11,430

See undergraduate fees for further details.

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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)
  • Department for International Development (DfID)
  • Eversheds LLP
  • Financial Times
  • Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO)
  • Global Policy Institute
  • Go East Consulting
  • Grassroot Diplomat
  • Palestine Red Crescent Association
  • Save the Children
  • UNICEF Ethiopia
  • United Nations

Find out about our Careers Service.