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State, Society and Development – (M.Sc.)
School of Oriental and African Studies
Faculty of Law and Social Sciences
- Programme website
- University Website
- City government site
- Student experiences about the UK - STeXX.eu
| Application Deadline: | June 30 | ||
| Annual Tuition Fee: | ≈ € 6,885 - ≈ € 15,788 (non-EEA) | ||
| Location: | London / United Kingdom / View location on map ▾ Hide location on map ▴ | ||
| Duration: | 12 months | Start Date: | September |
| Educational Form: |
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| Education Variants: |
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| Languages: | English | ||
Location of School of Oriental and African Studies
This MSc programme seeks to explain state-society relations and development in Asia, Africa and (where appropriate) Latin America through the sub-disciplines of comparative political sociology and comparative/international political economy. Students will study the core concepts of these sub-disciplines such as: state; civil society; social closure; class; bureaucracy; patrimonialism; hegemony; late-industrialisation; product cycle; developmental state; rent-seeking; good governance; and globalization. They will also be exposed to the principal analytical perspectives of political science such as historical institutionalism, rational choice theory and Marxism. These intellectual foundations will enable students to gain a better understanding of the shaping factors behind phenomena such as: state collapse and criminalisation in Africa; cronyism in Southeast Asia and Latin America; religious fundamentalism in South Asia; economic take-off in East Asia; linguistic nationalism in Central Asia; the ‘third wave’ of democratisation; global financial instability; and the relationship between the Washington Institutions and the South. Students will also come to understand the usefulness of cross-regional comparison by seeing how the study of one region can illuminate similar issues elsewhere, despite differing cultural contexts.
Contents
Students take taught courses to the value of 3 full units + dissertation:
1. ONE or TWO units from A;
2-3. ONE or TWO units (or equivalent half-units) from B;
4. Dissertation on some aspect of State & Development or State & Society (compulsory).
A. ONE or TWO disciplinary politics courses from:
- State and Development in Asia and Africa – 15PPOC017
- State and Society in Asia and Africa – 15PPOC008
B. ONE or TWO of the following REGIONAL politics courses:
- Government and Politics in Africa – 15PPOC205
- Government and Politics of Modern South Asia – I5PPOC003
- Government and Politics of Modern South East Asia – 15PPOC247
- Islam and Politics - 15PPOH006 (Term 2 half unit)
- Politics and Society in Central Asia – 15PPOC007
- Northeast Asian Politics and Society: Japan, the Korean Peninsula and Taiwan- 15PPOC245
- State and Society in the Chinese Political Process – 15PPOC012
- Political Society in the Middle East (Term 1 half-unit) (15PPOH008)
- State and Transformation in the Middle East (Term 2 half-unit) (15PPOH011)
- Taiwan's Politics and Cross-Strait Relations - 15PPOC252
C. Dissertation
- Dissertation: – 15PPOC999 (following the disciplinary perspective [State & Development or State & Society] of the chosen pathway)
You are normally required to take an English Proficiency Test if you come from a non-English speaking country.
Most European Universities recognise the IELTS test.
More informationRequirements
Applicants should have a first or good second class honours bachelors degree from a UK university, or equivalent, in a subject appropriate to that of the programme to be followed. As an approximate comparison, an equivalent BA from a US university would have a Grade Point Average of either 3.3 or 3.5 depending on the awarding university. If an applicant does not have a bachelors degree in an appropriate field s/he may be required to complete a qualifying year or a one year diploma before entering the masters programme. Relevant work experience may also be taken into consideration. Individual courses may have specific entry requirements, so you are advised to consult the postgraduate prospectus for further information.
English language requirements
In order to ensure that SOAS students have a sufficient standard of English to study effectively, we require overseas students to submit evidence, during the application process, of their current level of proficiency.
Score for Unconditional Entry
- IELTS: Overall 7+ with at least 7 in all sub scores
- TOEFL: iBT105+ with at least 25 in all sub scores
- Pearson Test of English - Academic: Score of 75 or above with at least 70 in all sub scores
Additional Requirements
| Minimal degree required: | Bachelor's degree |
| Minimal amount of work experience | Not specified |
Language Proficiency
| IELTS Band: | 7.0 |
| TOEFL Internet-based: | 105 |
Funding details
Scholarships and BursariesThere are some scholarships and bursaries available for postgraduate students. These are very competitive and early application is advised.
Loans
Another way to fund your studies is through educational loans. Some high street banks offer loans for education. The other option is a career development loan. Before taking out a loan ensure that you understand what the repayments will be and that you will be able to afford them.
Professional and Career Development LoansA Professional and Career Development Loan is a bank loan for UK students designed to help you pay for your course. Repayments start one month after you complete your course. You can borrow between £300 and £8,000. The bank will approve your loan according to your credit rating.
US Federal LoansEligible US students can apply for Stafford Federal Loans, Federal Plus and private loans to cover their tuition and maintenance costs.
The Registry Fees and Scholarship section can also certify student registration for other loans, such as Canadian educational loans.
Please contact:
- Registry Fees Section if you have any queries on educational loans or fees for degree courses.
- Noel Connaughton for fees information for occasional courses, certificates and diplomas.
- CEFIMS for fees information for distance learning courses.
Other Sources of Funding
Useful funding information can also be found at:
- Hotcourses Scholarship Search
- HERO funding information for research students
Interested? Request information!
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