24 MSc Programs in Political Science in London, United Kingdom for 2024

MSc Digital Politics & Sustainable Development responds directly to processes afoot of power shifts and power diffusion in international relations (IR). These processes are fundamentally changing the organisational structure of IR. This programme responds to questions of agency, action and accountability of governance networks by deploying systems-based approaches.

The MSc Global Affairs examines the politics, society, economics, and history of the world’s non-western, regional, and rising powers and their role within a changing world order. The program allows you to build regional specialization, alongside a consideration of cross-cutting and transnational issues in global affairs.

Applicants apply for the MSc Violence, Conflict and Development programme but can decide to follow the Palestine Pathway upon arrival by choosing the combination of modules required for this pathway. Students taking the Palestine Pathway will develop a specialist understanding of Development Studies in the context of Palestine.

MSc Russian and Eurasian Politics and Economics - the flagship degree programme of the King’s Russia Institute - equips students with the tools and perspectives needed to understand the processes of political, economic and social change that are continuing to reshape Russia, Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus.

Our Environment, Politics and Development MSc programme provides an advanced theoretical understanding of the relationship between development problems and environmental issues. You will explore these relationships from the perspectives of political ecology, development geography and environmental governance. To illustrate these relationships, we use relevant case studies drawn from across the globe.

We welcome those who have worked in the field of development and/or conflict, but we also accept applications from students without relevant work experience who can demonstrate a strong interest in the major themes of the programme and a strong first degree, preferably in social science.

The programme is designed for Masters students who are interested in the politics of human rights, humanitarianism and international and transitional justice especially in conflict and post-conflict states. It is also highly relevant to anyone working or intending to work in international NGOs, international organizations, think tanks and advocacy groups in the areas of rights, humanitarian assistance and transitional justice. It also looks more broadly at the future of global human rights in a world where, many claim, the influence of the West is declining and asks critical questions about the legitimacy and effectiveness of transitional justice mechanisms and humanitarian intervention. Students on this programme are able to participate in all of the activities of the Centre on Conflict, Rights and Justice - including closed and public seminars, workshops, expert briefings and professional training, a student-led blog, regular social events and the Centre's internship scheme (for a small group selected through a competitive application process).

Our Global Leadership and Peacebuilding MSc examines the mutually reinforcing links between global leadership, peace and society, especially in developing nations. Through this blended learning programme, which offers both face-to-face and online modules and which supports wholly online study where applicable, you will learn to understand the huge significance of global leadership processes and outcomes in peacebuilding efforts in the developing world and the impacts they have on society.

MSc International Politics explores key issues and debates in world politics from a variety of perspectives. We cover important questions such as: Why do wars happen? Is global peace possible? How is power exercised in international politics? What are the conditions for cooperation among states? How do migration challenge and change the international political order? We look at orthodox answers to such questions and interrogate them through a variety of critical, non-Western and marginalised views. Students will utilise different theoretical lenses in combination with SOAS’s rich empirical expertise and are invited to examine the dynamics of world politics from the perspective of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. We also interrogate how international politics is informed by questions of empire, colonialism, race, gender and class.

This programme takes a critical political ecology frame and examines environmental policy and its intersections with development from a social justice angle. It is taught and convened by leading political ecologists and offers a critical analysis of key issues including water, forestry, climate, fisheries, agricultural production, biodiversity, conflicts and energy supply.

SOAS has been the leading institution for the study of the Middle East for decades, and the Department of Politics is world-renowned for its scholars’ combination of regional and disciplinary expertise. The MSc Politics of the Middle East is further distinguished by its tutors’ critical perspectives and the cutting-edge modules on offer. The content balances 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, artificial intelligence and human security. The programme trains students in disciplinary approaches – political sociology, political economy, and international relations – while encouraging them to think and write across these disciplinary boundaries.

Our postgraduate course in Terrorism, Policing and Security is designed to provide police officers with the necessary skills to help combat terrorism and international crime. Focusing on international security issues such as intelligence, military response and criminal justice, you will also analyse security closer to home and identify community policing’s role in combatting radicalisation. Learn how policing theory, governance and policymaking connects to global security via distance learning to better understand the international policing community.

Our postgraduate course in Security Management is designed to meet this challenge, enabling participants and organisations the opportunity to grasp the issues pertaining to security management, counter-terrorism and intelligence, and law enforcement. Learn how different security strategies are designed and implemented on a practical and theoretical level via distance learning to best understand the importance of security management.

The innovative Covert Investigation and Specialist Intelligence programme explores key themes involving covert and intelligence matters including effectiveness, value, lawfulness, risks and ethics. The course incorporates a wider range of subjects including HUMINT collection, the elicitation of intelligence, investigative interview models, covert techniques, underpinning legislation, oversight mechanisms, intelligence sharing and analysis at local, national and global levels.

GCU London’s International Diplomacy Programmes are designed to address the growing global market needs in the areas of diplomacy, international business, international security and international communication. The development of appropriate understanding and acquisition of relevant skills in these areas have become essential for the effective management of international interaction at public and private levels alike.