Lecturer in Global Politics
Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy
MA Global Diplomacy: South Asia (Online)
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Key information
Key information
- Duration
- 2-years (Max. 3-years)
- Start of programme
- April / October
- Attendance mode
- Online Learning (part-time)
- Fees
-
MA/MSc: £12,000
PGDip/PGCert: available as exit awards. - Entry requirements
-
A minimum lower second class honours degree (or equivalent). We welcome applications from academically strong individuals from a wide variety of fields and backgrounds
Course overview
The MA Global Diplomacy: South Asia online programme will deepen your understanding of international affairs and contemporary diplomatic practice with a regional focus on South Asia and Afghanistan.
This MA programme will give you a theoretically and historically informed understanding of the practice of international diplomacy, broadly conceived, and its applications in South Asia.
Research is a key component of this programme and upon completion students will have the skills to:
- think critically, with reference to theoretical and empirical (historical and/or contemporary) content about international studies, diplomacy, and political economy in South Asia
- develop and practice the ability to see – and to comment on – the strengths and the weaknesses of others’ ideas and arguments.
The MA Global Diplomacy: South Asia programme is delivered by the Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy (CISD) and the SOAS South Asia Institute (SSAI) , using a combination of multi-disciplinary teaching, cutting-edge research and public discussion of diplomacy and international politics in a globalised world.
This programme is available as a Masters, Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate level.
Who should apply
The MA Global Diplomacy: South Asia course is for those engaged in or embarking on a career in diplomatic or related fields in South Asia requiring international expertise in government, not-for-profit, corporate or academic environments.
Structure
The Global Diplomacy: South Asia programme is available as a Masters, Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate level.
Please note, The PG Certificate and PG Diploma are offered as exit awards, you must apply for the MA degree and then request to exit when you have the correct credits.
Masters
There are two core modules and a range of elective modules on offer each session. There are also four research mini modules.
- 2x core modules (30 credits each)
- 2x elective modules (30 credits each)
- 4x research mini modules
- 1x dissertation on a topic related to South Asia (60 credits)
Of the taught modules, one core module and one elective module must be from the South Asia list, while one core module and one elective module must be from the Diplomacy list.
PG Diploma
- 2x core modules (30 credits each)
- 2x elective modules (30 credits each)
- 4x research mini modules
Of the taught modules, one core module and one elective module must be from the South Asia list, while one core module and one elective module must be from the Diplomacy list.
PG Certificate
- 2x core module (60 credits)
- 2x research mini modules
| Module | |
|---|---|
| The Art of Negotiation | Core |
| Economics, Politics and Society in South Asia | Core |
| Afghanistan: Strategic and Geopolitical Perspectives | South Asia Elective |
| America and the World: US Foreign Policy | Diplomacy Elective |
| Cultural Diplomacy | Diplomacy Elective |
| Digital Diplomacy | Diplomacy Elective |
| Diplomatic Systems | Diplomacy Elective |
| Ethnic & Religious Conflict in South East Asia in Historical Perspective | Diplomacy Elective |
| Evolution of Warfare | Diplomacy Elective |
| Foundations of International Law | Diplomacy Elective |
| Global Challenges: Science Diplomacy | Diplomacy Elective |
| Global Citizenship and Advocacy | Diplomacy Elective |
| Global Energy and Climate Change | Diplomacy Elective |
| Global International Organisation: United Nations in the World | Diplomacy Elective |
| Global Media | Diplomacy Elective |
| India's Foreign and Security Policy | South Asia Elective |
| International Economics | Diplomacy Elective |
| International Security | Diplomacy Elective |
| Islamic Law in a Global Context | Diplomacy Elective |
| Modern Africa: History, Politics and Society | Diplomacy Elective |
| Muslim Minorities in a Global Context | Diplomacy Elective |
| Pakistan: Religion, Politics and Security | South Asia Elective |
| Political Economy of Violence, Conflict and Development | Diplomacy Elective |
| Political History, Culture and Diplomacy in Iran | Diplomacy Elective |
| Sport and Diplomacy | Diplomacy Elective |
| Strategic Studies | Diplomacy Elective |
| Trade Diplomacy | Diplomacy Elective |
Important notice
The information on the programme page reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. If you are a current student you can find structure information on the previous year link at the top of the page or through your Department. Please read the important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules.
Teaching and learning
This programme is taught 100% online through our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).
Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
In the VLE you will have access to learning materials and course resources anytime so you can fit your studies around your existing commitments. For each module, students will be provided with access, through the SOAS Library, to all necessary materials from a range of appropriate sources.
A key component of the student experience will be peer to peer learning, with students enrolled in discussion forums.
Study timetable
In addition to a dedicated Associate Tutor, a Study Timetable is provided for each module and for the overall programme to help you to organise your time.
The programme is broken down into two study sessions per year. Each subject module lasts 16 weeks, followed by a research mini module lasting 8 weeks.
Sample study timetable
| Activity | Duration |
|---|---|
| Substantive module | 16 weeks |
| Reading weeks | 2 weeks |
| Research mini module | 8 weeks |
| Reading weeks | 2 weeks |
Assessment
Each module is assessed by five written online assessments (‘e-tivities’*) comprising of 30%, the remaining 70% is formed of a 5,000 word essay.The e-tivities provide formative and summative feedback to students as a means of monitoring their progress and encouraging areas in which they can improve.
* An 'e-tivity' is a framework for online, active and interactive learning following a format that states clearly to the students its 'Purpose'; the 'Task' at hand; the contribution or 'Response' type; and the 'Outcome' (Salmon, G. (2002) E-tivities: The Key to Active Online Learning, New York and London: Routledge Falmer.)
Research training and dissertation
Research training is a key feature of this programme, the dissertation module is presented in four development parts, which will follow each of your module sessions. Research modules one and three are formative modules only, and are not assessed.
The dissertation is assessed by the submission of a written dissertation of no more than 15,000 words, excluding the bibliography and appendices, which will account for 85% of the mark awarded for the module (research module four). The remaining 15% of the module mark will be based on the mark obtained for a 1,500 word research proposal (research module two).
The research proposal is compulsory for students going on to do a PGDip or MA; MA students must submit a dissertation at the end of research module four.
Fees and funding
| MA/MSc | PGDip* | PGCert* |
|---|---|---|
| £12,000 | See below | See below |
* Only applicable to Global Diplomacy: South Asia and Global Diplomacy: Middle East & North Africa .
PG Dip and PG Cert are available as exit awards and interested students should be in touch directly with the course team at glodipadmin@soas.ac.uk
Note this is a new fee structure, students will continue their programme on the same fee structure throughout.
See online and distance learning fees for further information.
Pay as you learn
Our distance learning programmes can be paid in full at the time of enrolment or on a pay as you learn basis. Pay as you learn means you pay for modules prior to enrolment (£3,000).
Postgraduate loans
If you have been a resident in England for 3 years you may be eligible. For more information, see please fees and finance.
Employment
Students from SOAS’s Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy (CISD) develop an in-depth understanding of international affairs, contemporary diplomatic practice and policy-makers. Graduates leave with a portfolio of transferable skills such as critical analysis, problem solving, negotiation and communication, all of which are valued by employers across a number of sectors.
Recent CISD graduates have been hired by:
- Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
- Ernst & Young
- European Centre for Democracy and Human Rights
- Government of India
- International Rescue Committee
- Medical Aid for Palestinians
- NHS
- The Commonwealth
- UK National Commission for UNESCO
- UNHCR
- United Nations
- World Food Programme
Find out about our Careers Service.
