Postgraduate Studentships - Search for funding opportunities.
Postgraduate Studentships - Search for funding opportunities.
Study Details: MA 1 year FT, 2-3 years PT; PG Dip 1 year FT, 2-3 years PT
Who is this programme for?:
The MA/PG Diploma International Studies and Diplomacy (ISD) programme is designed for those engaged in or planning to embark upon a professional career requiring international expertise in government, not-for-profit, corporate or academic environments.
The degree aims to prepare students for roles such as within a Foreign Service or other government department, international civil service (such as the United Nations or European Union), international NGOs (working in fields such as development, humanitarian assistance and conflict resolution) multinational corporations and international media.
The programme also suits those engaged in or considering research roles such as within a policy think tank, risk analysis organisation or doctoral programme; seeking to deepen their academic and practical understanding of international affairs and contemporary diplomatic practice.
The programme has a multi-disciplinary structure and draws on the teaching and research strengths of CISD and of the SOAS departments of International Politics, Law, Economics and area studies (especially of Asia, Africa and the Middle East) as well as a wide range of languages. Students choose a combination of courses to meet their specific professional needs and personal interests.
We welcome applications from academically strong individuals from a wide variety of fields and backgrounds. However it is not necessary to have a first degree in a discipline directly related to the programme.
Each application is assessed on its individual merits and entry requirements may be modified in light of relevant professional experience and where the applicant can demonstrate a sustained practical interest in the international field.
Normally a first or upper second class honours degree (or equivalent). Other relevant experience, including good qualifications in a less relevant subject area may be considered.
Full Time Fees £13230, Part Time £6615
Seeking to understand global interactions and wishing to influence or shape them are lofty ambitions. Students who choose to attend CISD do so as it provides them with an opportunity to merge a strong theoretical understanding with equally rigorous practical skills that equip them to go out into the workforce with both knowledge and the ability to deliver. It is our intricate combination of SOAS expertise, cutting edge research and practical skills that has made CISD students attractive to employers.
CISD students have gone on to a variety of professions where they have been able to utilise the knowledge and skills they learned while studying at the Centre.
Examples of the futures our graduates have gone on to do include:
Policy analysts and advisers (UK Ministry of Defence, UK Department for International Development, Japan Permanent Mission to the UN, United Nations OCHA, UN, Government of Kuwait, H.M. Queen Rania’s Office, NATO Parliamentary Assembly , Centre for Social Cohesion, The Fraser Institute, Forest Trends, Learning and Skills Council, International Council on Security & Development, Deutsche Bank)
Journalists (BBC, BBC World Service, Demotix, Monday Morning, Wall Street Journal, Times Online, Your Money
Campaign officers (Labour Party, MST, Oxfam, Commonwealth Foundation)
Account managers (Schwartz Communications, AI Sensing Ltd, Betbrokers, Byblos Bank)
Analysts for government departments (Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan Cabinet Secretariat, Thailand Foreign Ministry, UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, UK Public Guardianship Office, UK Parliament, UK GCHQ, Uzbekistan Embassy to the UK)
Campaigners and analysts for non-governmental organisations (International Crisis Group, Defenders of Wildlife Action Pond, Amnesty International, Enfants du Monde – Droits de L’Homme, IPPR)
Researchers (Stamp Out Poverty, Gardant Communications, International Peace Research Institute, Citigroup, International Alert, CATALYST, International Centre for Black Sea Studies, Centre for Social Cohesion, Lutheran World Federation)
Consultants and analysts (Accenture, CTG, SMT Consulting, Baird’s Communications Management Consultants, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, JP Morgan Fleming)
Programme officers (Westminster Foundation for Democracy Programme, Verizon, Mefrica)
Bankers (Standard Chartered, Citibank)
Further study including doctoral programmes
CISD programmes provide sound intellectual and skills training, which are useful for analysing and designing solutions to many of today’s global problems. In keeping with our motto, our students think globally and seek to act globally.
Students take taught courses to the value of 3 full units plus 10,000 word dissertation
Postgraduate Diploma candidates take courses as the MA, excluding the dissertation.
Please note that acceptance onto an elective course is subject to availability of places, timetabling, and the approval of the convenor of that course.
NB: Although all ISD core courses run every year, we cannot guarantee that all elective courses offered during the pre-registration period will be available for each academic session.
The programme may be taken in one year (full-time) or in two or three* years part-time (*MA only), with the schedule designed to allow participation by those in full-time employment. Participants may choose a combination of courses to meet their professional needs and personal interests. The programme is convened on a multi-disciplinary basis, and teaching is through lectures, seminars and workshops conducted by SOAS faculty and visiting specialists.
Lectures for ISD courses usually take place in the evening (18.00-20.00) and associated seminars/tutorials are repeated in hourly slots starting as early as 14.00 for some courses, with the latest taking place at 20.00. Students sign up for seminar/tutorial groups at the start of term and stay in the same group throughout the academic year. There is a minimum of two and a half hours formal teaching a week (lecture and seminar) for each ISD course taken. Practical exercises may take place at weekends.
In addition there is a week long study tour to the United Nations (UN) in Geneva. This involves lectures from a variety of UN organisations such as the World Trade Organisation, the United Nations Development Programme, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the International Labour Organisation. There are also visits to a variety of institutions including the UK mission and the International Committee of the Red Cross. The week is launched with a diplomatic reception held in the Palais des Nations at the UN. There is no additional cost for the trip.
All ISD students have the opportunity to take part in Media Training with the specific aim of developing their presentation and journalistic interviewing skills. The training is given by BBC News 24/BBC World presenter Deborah Mackenzie and former BBC producer Simon Crutchley.
The programme also runs a number of additional lectures given by guest speakers and external practitioners. They are available as podcasts on the CISD website.
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