MA Global Security and Strategy (Online)

Program Overview

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Key Information

Duration: 2-years (Max. 3-years) Start of programme: April / October Attendance mode: Online Learning (part-time) Fees: £12,000 (MA/MSc), PGDip/PGCert available as exit awards

Course Overview

The MA in Global Security and Strategy online programme takes a critical view to traditional strategic studies, encompassing Africa, Asia and Middle East approaches to grand strategy for peace and security, conflict resolution, international collaboration, war technologies and disarmament.

Delivered by the Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy (CISD), the programme has an inter-disciplinary structure drawing on the teaching expertise and cutting-edge research of SOAS departments and the public discussion of security and strategy in a globalised world.

Students on this MA will gain an excellent understanding of Global Security and Strategy concepts, developing an in-depth critical understanding of their nature from both historical and contemporary contexts. Students will obtain a thorough grounding in the subject, as well as a sophisticated understanding of global policy and governance developments.

Who should apply

Relevant for those engaged in or embarking on careers in global policy, security and strategy or related fields requiring international expertise in government, not-for-profit, corporate or academic environments. This course will be of particular interest to those engaged with Global Security Issues such as the UN and NATO.

By studying online, students have the flexibility to integrate studies into working life without having to take a career break.

Structure

Students will study one core module and a range of elective modules on offer each session. There are also four research mini-modules.

• 1x core module
• 3x elective modules
• 4x research mini-modules
• 1x dissertation

Students are required to rank three elective modules in preferred order from the below sample list for each study session following their core module. All modules are subject to availability and this list is not exhaustive from session to session.

Modules

Module| | Core/Elective ---|---|--- International Security| | Core Strategic Studies| | Elective Afghanistan: Strategic and Geopolitical Perspectives| | Elective America and the World: US Foreign Policy| | Elective Digital Diplomacy| | Elective Economics, Politics and Society in Africa| | Elective Economics, Politics and Society in MENA| | Elective Economics, Politics and Society in South Asia| | Elective Finance, Sustainability and Climate Change| | Elective Foundations of International Law| | Elective Gender, Conflict and the Middle East| | Elective Global Citizenship and Advocacy| | Elective Global Challenges: Science Diplomacy| | Elective Global Diplomacy: The Art of Negotiation| | Elective Global Energy and Climate Policy| | Elective Global International Organisation: United Nations in the World| | Elective Global Media| | Elective Global Public Policy| | Elective India's Foreign and Security Policy| | Elective International Economics| | Elective Multinational Enterprises in a Globalising World| | Elective Muslim Minorities and the State: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives| | Elective Muslim Minorities in a Global Context| | Elective Pakistan: Religion, Politics and Security| | Elective Political Economy of Violence, Conflict and Development| | Elective Political History, Culture and Diplomacy in Iran| | Elective Sports and Diplomacy| | Elective Trade Diplomacy| | Elective

Teaching and Learning

This programme is delivered 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 ('etivities') comprising of 30%, the remaining 70% is formed of a 5,000-word essay. The etivities provide formative and summative feedback to students as a means of monitoring their progress and encouraging areas in which they can improve.

Fees and Funding

MA/MSc: £12,000 PGDip/PGCert: available as exit awards

Pay as you Learn

Our online 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.

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

Staff

Professor Dan Plesch

Professor in Diplomacy and Strategy

Professor Michael W. Charney

Professor of Asian and Military History

Dr Yanan Song

Lecturer in Global Politics

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

The MA Global Security and Strategy (Online) programme is a two-year (maximum three years) online learning programme offered by the Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy (CISD) at SOAS University of London. It takes a critical approach to traditional strategic studies, encompassing diverse perspectives from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East on grand strategy for peace and security, conflict resolution, international collaboration, war technologies, and disarmament.

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Objectives:

• To provide a critical understanding of traditional and contemporary strategic studies, including diverse perspectives from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
• To equip students with a critical understanding of the nature of global security and strategy, their historical and contemporary contexts, and the evolving landscape of global policy and governance.
• To develop students' analytical and research skills, including the ability to critically evaluate evidence, construct arguments, and communicate effectively.
• To prepare graduates for careers in global policy, security and strategy, or related fields requiring international expertise.

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Outline:

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Structure:

• The programme consists of one core module, three elective modules, four research mini modules, and a dissertation.
• Each module lasts 16 weeks, followed by a research mini module lasting 8 weeks.
• Students choose three elective modules from a list provided by the CISD.

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Course Schedule:

• The programme is delivered online through the SOAS Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).
• Students have access to learning materials and course resources anytime, allowing them to fit their studies around their existing commitments.
• A dedicated Associate Tutor and a Study Timetable are provided for each module and the overall programme to help students organize their time.

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Modules:

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Core Module:

• International Security

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Elective Modules:

• Afghanistan: Strategic and Geopolitical Perspectives
• America and the World: US Foreign Policy
• Digital Diplomacy
• Economics, Politics and Society in Africa
• Economics, Politics and Society in South Asia
• Finance, Sustainability and Climate Change
• Foundations of International Law
• Gender, Conflict and the Middle East
• Global Citizenship and Advocacy
• Global Challenges: Science Diplomacy
• Global Diplomacy: The Art of Negotiation
• Global Energy and Climate Policy
• Global International Organisation: United Nations in the World
• Global Media
• Global Public Policy
• India's Foreign and Security Policy
• International Economics
• Multinational Enterprises in a Globalising World
• Muslim Minorities and the State: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives
• Muslim Minorities in a Global Context
• Pakistan: Religion, Politics and Security
• Political Economy of Violence, Conflict and Development
• Political History, Culture and Diplomacy in Iran
• Sports and Diplomacy
• Trade Diplomacy

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Research Modules:

• Research Training 1
• Research Proposal
• Research Training 3
• Dissertation

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Assessment:

• Each module is assessed by five online written assessments ("etivities") comprising 30% of the final grade.
• The remaining 70% of the final grade is based on a 5,000-word essay.
• The dissertation is assessed by a 15,000-word written dissertation (85% of the mark) and a 1,500-word research proposal (15% of the mark).

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Teaching:

• The programme is taught entirely online through the SOAS VLE.
• Students have access to dedicated Associate Tutors and a Study Timetable to support their learning journey.
• The programme utilizes a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, discussions, and individual research projects.

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Careers:

• Graduates of the MA Global Security and Strategy (Online) programme are well-prepared for careers in various fields, including:
• Government
• International organizations
• Non-governmental organizations
• Think tanks
• Academia
• Private sector

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Other:

• The programme is designed for working professionals and offers flexibility to study around existing commitments.
• The programme attracts students from diverse backgrounds and nationalities, fostering a rich learning environment.

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Additional Points:

• The programme is inter-disciplinary, drawing on the expertise of scholars from various departments at SOAS.
• The programme emphasizes research training and critical thinking skills, preparing students for further academic study or professional careers.
• The MA Global Security and Strategy (Online) programme is a rigorous and rewarding program that provides students with a deep understanding of global security and strategy and prepares them for successful careers in the field.

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MA/MSc: £12,000 PGDip/PGCert: available as exit awards.