Politics and International Relations (Middle East)

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?

• SOAS is ranked 5th in the UK and 16th worldwide for Politics (QS World University Rankings 2026).
• We're ranked 3rd in the world for Academic Reputation in Politics (QS World University Rankings 2026).
• 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.

Study Tours

All postgraduate students can take part in our Study Tours and explore the world. Destinations include New Delhi, Lahore, Seoul, Luang Prabang, Almaty and Bishkek, Kigali, Johannesburg, and Doha. For more information, see our Study Tours page.