Program Overview

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Double Masters in Asian & International Affairs MA

Key information

Study mode: Full time Duration: Two years full-time, one year China, one year London Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent): UK 210/ECTS 105 Application status: Open Start date: September 2025

Course essentials

The EU is the largest economic bloc in the world and Asia is the fastest-growing region. This course will equip you with the required knowledge about the two regions to work in either of them, or in international institutions. You will have the opportunity to study and understand a variety of political, economic and societal topics and gain specialised knowledge on two topics of your choice. You will develop advanced research skills by writing two research dissertations – one for Renmin University and one for King’s.

Base campus

Strand Campus Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.

Special features

Study abroad On this programme, you will have the opportunity to apply to study abroad, supported by the Study Abroad Tutor in your department and King’s Global Mobility Office. Together with partner organisations around the world, you will be supported in navigating your international, educational journey, developing new skills and competences and learning to apply different perspectives to your chosen discipline.

Regulating bodies

King's is regulated by the Office for Students

Entry requirements

UK applicants

• Standard requirements: A minimum 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree
• Programme-Specific Requirements: Bachelors degree with 2.1 honours in a relevant subject area.

International applicants

• Equivalent International qualifications: Select a country to view equivalent qualifications
• English language requirements: English language band B

Selection process

• All interested students should apply through King's online application system apply.kcl.ac.uk and a non-refundable application fee of £85 applies.
• Applications will be examined and offers will be made by a joint admissions board comprising academic staff from both King's and Renmin.

Personal statement and supporting information

• In the personal statement, students should outline likely dissertation topics, and try to provide a breakdown of the courses/modules studied at undergraduate level.
• You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:
  • Personal Statement: Yes
  • Previous Academic Study: Yes
  • References: Yes
  • Other: Optional

Teaching methods - what to expect

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Self-Study

Assessment

• Exams
• Coursework
• Practicals
• Dissertation

Structure

Required modules

Year 1: International Relations MA, Renmin University of China

• Dissertation in English or Chinese
• 27 RUC credits from a range of modules, including:
  • Contemporary Chinese Politics and Governance (3 credits)
  • Asia-Pacific Security and Strategy (4 credits)
  • Basic/Intermediate Chinese Language (4 credits)
  • Asia-Pacific Energy Cooperation (4 credits)
  • Theories of International Relations and Asia-Pacific Regional Cooperation (4 credits)
  • Nations and Nationalism in Asia (3 credits)
  • Contemporary Chinese History and Culture (3 credits)
  • Methods of Academic Paper Writing (2 credits)

Year 2: Asian and International Affairs MA, King’s College London

• Global Politics: Transatlantic, Transpacific and Eurasia (15 credits)
• Research Design (15 credits)
• Dissertation (60 credits)

Optional modules

Year 1 – Optional Modules

• 5 RUC credits from a range of optional modules, including:
  • Contemporary Chinese Foreign Policy (3 credits)
  • Contemporary Chinese Society (3 Credits)
  • Key Issues and Institutions of Modern-Day China – Lecture Series and Visits (2 Credits)
  • Research Methods in Social Science (3 Credits)
  • The Political Economy of China and Developing Countries Relations (2 Credits)
  • Sino-US Relations (2 Credits)
  • Investment in China (2 Credits)
  • China’s Foreign Economic Relations (3 Credits)
  • The Political Economy of Southeast Asia (2 Credits)
  • Overseas Chinese and International Migration (2 Credits)

Year 2 – Optional modules

• 90 credits from a range of optional modules in the School of Politics and Economics and from another School, subject to approval, including:
  • European Identities and the EU (15 credits)
  • Foreign Policies of the European Union (15 credits)
  • Democratic Legitimacy of International Cooperation (15 credits)
  • Capitalism, liberalism and democracy (15 credits)
  • European Union: History, Institutions, Politics (15 credits)
  • The Political Economy of International Migration (15 credits)
  • Lobbying and Policy Making in the EU (15 credits)
  • International Political Economy of Energy Markets (15 credits)
  • The Political Economy of Europe: Political Science Perspectives (15 credits)
  • Platform capitalism: platform firms and the state (15 credits)
  • The International Political Economy of Production (15 credits)
  • The Middle East In The Global Political Economy (15 credits)
  • Foreign Policy Analysis (15 credits)
  • Global Governance & International Organisations (15 credits)
  • The Political Economy of Development (15 credits)
  • The Politics of Economic Inequality (15 credits)
  • China’s Global Rise: “Great Power Diplomacy with Chinese Characteristics” (15 credits)
  • Quantitative Research Methods (15 credits)
  • Lived Democracy (15 credits)
  • Postcolonial Political Economy (15 credits)
  • Multinational Corporations and Global Supply Chains (15 credits)
  • Evaluating Public Policy (15 credits) [Political Economy]
  • The Political Economy of Corruption (15 credits) [Political Economy]
  • Comparative Political Economy (15 credits) [Political Economy]
  • The Political Effects of Climate Change (15 credits) [Department of Political Economy]
  • Britain & Europe Since 1945 (15 credits)
  • Anglo-American Relations Since 1945 (15 credits) [Political Economy]
  • Islam, Politics & Society (15 credits) [Political Economy]
  • People, Protest and Mobilisation: Exploring Social Movement Theory (15 credits) [Department of Political Economy]
  • Political Economy of Authoritarianism in the Middle East (15 credits) [Political Economy]
  • Gender, Society and Development (15 credits) [Department of International Development]
  • Advanced Quantitative Methods for Causal Inference (15 credits) [Department of International Development]
  • Advanced Qualitative Methods (15 credits) [Department of International Development]
  • Industrial Economics and International Development (15 credits) [Department of International Development]
  • Displacement and Development in the Contemporary Era (15 credits) [Department of International Development]
  • Environment and Development: Crises, Power, and Transformations (15 credits) [Department of International Development]
  • Contemporary Brazilian Politics and Society (15 credits) [King’s Brazil Institute]
  • Contemporary India (15 credits) [King’s India Institute]
  • Environment, Sustainability and Climate Change in China (15 credits) [Lau China Institute]
  • Doing Business in China (15 credits) [Lau China Institute]
  • China's International Relations, 1949-Present (15 credits) [Lau China Institute]
  • Contemporary Chinese Society: Change and Transformation (15 credits) [Lau China Institute]
  • Contemporary Chinese Politics (15 credits) [Lau China Institute]
  • Gender in International Politics and Security (15 credits) [School of Security Studies]
  • Ethics in International Relations (15 credits) [School of Security Studies]
  • Energy Security and Energy Transition in Eurasia (15 credits) [King’s Russia Institute]
  • Governance and Economic Growth in Transition (15 credits) [King’s Russia Institute]
  • Russia’s War in Ukraine (15 credits) [King’s Russia Institute]
  • New and emerging security threats in post-Soviet Eurasia (15 credits) [King’s Russia Institute]
  • Clandestine side of Globalisation: Organised Crime, Terrorism and Corruption (15 credits) [King’s Russia Institute]

Careers

Students undertaking this course would be ideally placed to work in the public sector and in government and international organisations, particularly in departments working on European and/or Asian issues. Graduates are also well placed to gain roles in journalism, consultancy, and think tanks in the private sector.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

UK: 60,000 CNY/RMB (2025/26 - for First Year at Renmin) International: 60,000 CNY/RMB (2025/26 - for First Year at Renmin) King's UK Fee: £16,950 per year (2025/26) King's International Fee: £30,000 per year (2025/26)

Deposit

• If you receive an offer before March, your acceptance deadline is 20 March.
• If you receive an offer between 1 March and 7 April, your acceptance deadline is one month from the offer date.
• If you receive an offer between 8 April and 22 April, your acceptance deadline is two weeks from the offer date.
• If you receive an offer between 23 April to end of April, your acceptance deadline is one week from the offer date.
• If you receive an offer from 1 May, your acceptance deadline is three days from the offer date.

Additional costs/expenses

• Books if you choose to buy your own copies.
• Library fees and fines.
• Personal photocopies.
• Printing course handouts.
• Society membership fees.
• Stationery.
• Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses.
• Graduation costs.

Funding

To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.