BA International Relations taught by our expert research-active academics is 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, students 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.

Combine International Relations with other subjects

Other disciplines – Development Studies, East Asian Studies, Economics, History, Languages and Cultures, Law, Politics, Social Anthropology

Languages – Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean 

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 from the Department of Politics and International Studies 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