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King's College London
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Postgraduate degree

Double Masters in Asian & International Affairs MA

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Our Double Masters in Asian & International Affairs will give you in-depth knowledge of the politics and economics of Asia, and relations between Asia and the wider world. Through this programme you will develop an advanced understanding of societies in Asia, and you will explore how their shifting relations with the US and the EU are currently transforming international politics and the global economy. You will study at two world-leading institutions: Renmin University of China (Beijing), where you will benefit from expert knowledge on China and Asia; and King’s College London, where you will benefit from our expertise in international affairs, economics and foreign policy.

Key benefits

  • Develop an in-depth understanding of inter-regional dynamics that are transforming Asia and the wider world.
  • Gain a sensitivity to social, cultural and political differences that are greatly valued by employers.
  • Study at two of the world's most prestigious universities, in two of the world's most dynamic cities (one year in Beijing, one year in London). King's College London is ranked 15th in the world, and 5th in Europe, for the study of politics and international relations by the 2020 QS World University Rankings, and Renmin University is ranked 4th in China for the same subject area.
  • Learn from world-leading scholars whose research contributed to King's College London being ranked first in the United Kingdom for research power in the field of politics and international relations in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework.
  • Possibility of learning Chinese, a highly desirable skill to employers.

The EU is the largest economic block 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 to gain specialised knowledge on two topics of your choice and develop advanced research skills by writing two research dissertations – one for Renmin University of China and one for King’s. Renmin University of China (RUC) is a leading research university focusing on the humanities and social sciences. The Chinese Ministry of Education ranks Renmin as first in the country for the study of political science, public administration, economics, law, statistics, business administration and sociology. The School of International Studies (SIS) is one of the oldest institutes in China to engage in teaching and researching political science and international affairs in China. Because of this, SIS has established strong academic traditions and accumulated invaluable historical experience, making it China's most influential teaching and research base in the fields of political science and international studies in China. King’s is one of the top universities in the world, as well as one of the most recognised institutions for the study of politics, political economy and international relations. Our academics are internationally renowned and regularly publish in major journals in the fields of politics and political economy, international relations and international political economy and foreign policy and security. The Department of European and International Studies was one of the first European Studies departments in the UK, and is currently home to a number of researchers investigating a wide range of topics and disciplines.

Base campus

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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

Regulating bodies

King's is regulated by the Office for Students

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Teaching methods - what to expect

Lectures
Seminars
Self-Study

Curious to find out more? Access on-demand content including taster lectures and talks, and meet our current staff and students on our subject hub page.

We will use a delivery method that will ensure students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face to face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment.

You will have regular contact with our staff, who are world-leading experts in their fields, through lectures, seminars and supervision. 

Year

Lectures, seminars and feedback

Self-study

1

Students are expected to successfully complete 32 RUC credits

As required

2

6-8 hours per week

34 hours per week

For Renmin University of China, one credit equates to 18 class hours.

Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work at King’s.

Assessment

  • Exams
  • Coursework
  • Practicals
  • Dissertation

You are assessed through a combination of coursework and examinations and may typically expect assessment by:

Year

Examination

Coursework

Practical

1

50%

50%

-

2

-

100%

-

Year 2: The majority of European and International Studies modules are assessed coursework rather a final unseen written examination; other optional modules may differ. The dissertation module is assessed by a 10,000-word essay.

The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect.

Structure

Required modules

Year 1 Required Modules International Relations MA, Renmin University of China You will normally take modules totalling 32 RUC credits and transfer four of them to their Year 2 at King’s College. Please note, you only transfer-in your best four credits from the required list. You are required to complete and pass: - 15,000 word dissertation in English or Chinese You are also required to take 27 RUC credits from a range of 2,3 or 4 credit modules:

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 (2 credits)
Nations and Nationalism in East Asia (3 credits)
Contemporary Chinese History and Culture (3 credits)
Methods of Academic Paper Writing (1 credit)

Year 2 Required Modules Asian and International Affairs MA, King’s College London Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totalling 210 credits (180 King’s credits and 5 RUC credits which equate to an additional 30 King’s credits) You are required to take the following modules

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

Optional modules

Year 1 Optional Modules You are required to take 7 RUC credits from a range of 2, 3 or 4 credit optional modules, which may typically include

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)

Year 2 Optional Modules You are required to take 90 credits from a range of modules, which may typically include

European Identities and the EU
Foreign Policies Of The European Union
The Political Economy Of International Migration
Lobbying and Policy Making in the EU
Critical Political Economy
The International Political Economy Of Energy Markets
The Political Economy Of Europe: Political Science Perspectives
Research Methods For Social Sciences
The International Political Economy Of Production
The Middle East In The Global Political Economy
Global Governance And International Organisations
The Political Economy of Development
The Political Economy of the Financial Crisis
The Politics of Economic Inequality
Political Economy Of Korean And East Asian Development
East Asia in the Global Political Economy
Comparative Capitalism: Eastern and Western Models
Lived Democracy
Postcolonial Political Economy
Multinational Corporations and Global Supply Chains
Evaluating Public Policy (15 credits)
The Political Economy of Corruption (15 credits)
Gender Politics and Public Policy (15 credits)
New Political Economy of the Media
Comparative Political Economy (15 credits)
Quantitative Methods in Political Economy (15 credits)
Institutions & Economic Development (15 credits)
Formal Political Economics
Britain & Europe Since 1945
Anglo-American Relations Since 1945
Islam, Politics and Society (15 credits)
Politics of Energy Security in Eurasia (15-credits) [King's Russia institute]
Clandestine side of Globalisation: Organised Crime, Terrorism and Corruption

You may also continue taking Chinese language classes at King’s Modern Language Centre.

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Employability

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.

Tuition Fees

UK:

Full time: £14,070 per year (2022/23)

International:

Full time: £24,660 per year (2022/23)

These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.

Deposit

When you receive an offer for this course you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. The deposit will be credited towards your total fee payment.

The UK deposit is £500.

The INTERNATIONAL deposit is £2,000. 

  • If you receive an offer on or before 31 March, payment is due by 25 April 2022.

  • If you receive an offer between 1 April and 30 June, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer.

  • If you receive an offer between 1 July and 31 July, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.

  • If you receive an offer between 1 August and 21 August, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer.

  • If you receive an offer from 22 August onwards, payment is due within three days of receiving the offer.

If you are a current King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.

 Additional costs/expenses

If you are studying abroad at a non-partner university, you should expect to pay tuition fees to the host university as well as King’s.

You should also budget to pay for the associated subsistence costs, such as travel, visas, accommodation and food as well as any vaccination/immunisations required by the country to which you are travelling. 

 

Additional Costs

In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:

  • 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

Funding

The EU is the largest economic block 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 to gain specialised knowledge on two topics of your choice and develop advanced research skills by writing two research dissertations – one for Renmin University of China and one for King’s. Renmin University of China (RUC) is a leading research university focusing on the humanities and social sciences. The Chinese Ministry of Education ranks Renmin as first in the country for the study of political science, public administration, economics, law, statistics, business administration and sociology. The School of International Studies (SIS) is one of the oldest institutes in China to engage in teaching and researching political science and international affairs in China. Because of this, SIS has established strong academic traditions and accumulated invaluable historical experience, making it China's most influential teaching and research base in the fields of political science and international studies in China. King’s is one of the top universities in the world, as well as one of the most recognised institutions for the study of politics, political economy and international relations. Our academics are internationally renowned and regularly publish in major journals in the fields of politics and political economy, international relations and international political economy and foreign policy and security. The Department of European and International Studies was one of the first European Studies departments in the UK, and is currently home to a number of researchers investigating a wide range of topics and disciplines.

Base campus

strand-quad
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

Regulating bodies

King's is regulated by the Office for Students

Loading...

Teaching methods - what to expect

Lectures
Seminars
Self-Study

Curious to find out more? Access on-demand content including taster lectures and talks, and meet our current staff and students on our subject hub page.

We will use a delivery method that will ensure students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face to face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment.

You will have regular contact with our staff, who are world-leading experts in their fields, through lectures, seminars and supervision. 

Year

Lectures, seminars and feedback

Self-study

1

Students are expected to successfully complete 32 RUC credits

As required

2

6-8 hours per week

34 hours per week

For Renmin University of China, one credit equates to 18 class hours.

Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work at King’s.

Assessment

  • Exams
  • Coursework
  • Practicals
  • Dissertation

You are assessed through a combination of coursework and examinations and may typically expect assessment by:

Year

Examination

Coursework

Practical

1

50%

50%

-

2

-

100%

-

Year 2: The majority of European and International Studies modules are assessed coursework rather a final unseen written examination; other optional modules may differ. The dissertation module is assessed by a 10,000-word essay.

The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect.

Structure

Required modules

Year 1 Required Modules International Relations MA, Renmin University of China You will normally take modules totalling 32 RUC credits and transfer four of them to their Year 2 at King’s College. Please note, you only transfer-in your best four credits from the required list. You are required to complete and pass: - 15,000 word dissertation in English or Chinese You are also required to take 27 RUC credits from a range of 2,3 or 4 credit modules:

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 (2 credits)
Nations and Nationalism in East Asia (3 credits)
Contemporary Chinese History and Culture (3 credits)
Methods of Academic Paper Writing (1 credit)

Year 2 Required Modules Asian and International Affairs MA, King’s College London Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totalling 210 credits (180 King’s credits and 5 RUC credits which equate to an additional 30 King’s credits) You are required to take the following modules

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

Optional modules

Year 1 Optional Modules You are required to take 7 RUC credits from a range of 2, 3 or 4 credit optional modules, which may typically include

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)

Year 2 Optional Modules You are required to take 90 credits from a range of modules, which may typically include

European Identities and the EU
Foreign Policies Of The European Union
The Political Economy Of International Migration
Lobbying and Policy Making in the EU
Critical Political Economy
The International Political Economy Of Energy Markets
The Political Economy Of Europe: Political Science Perspectives
Research Methods For Social Sciences
The International Political Economy Of Production
The Middle East In The Global Political Economy
Global Governance And International Organisations
The Political Economy of Development
The Political Economy of the Financial Crisis
The Politics of Economic Inequality
Political Economy Of Korean And East Asian Development
East Asia in the Global Political Economy
Comparative Capitalism: Eastern and Western Models
Lived Democracy
Postcolonial Political Economy
Multinational Corporations and Global Supply Chains
Evaluating Public Policy (15 credits)
The Political Economy of Corruption (15 credits)
Gender Politics and Public Policy (15 credits)
New Political Economy of the Media
Comparative Political Economy (15 credits)
Quantitative Methods in Political Economy (15 credits)
Institutions & Economic Development (15 credits)
Formal Political Economics
Britain & Europe Since 1945
Anglo-American Relations Since 1945
Islam, Politics and Society (15 credits)
Politics of Energy Security in Eurasia (15-credits) [King's Russia institute]
Clandestine side of Globalisation: Organised Crime, Terrorism and Corruption

You may also continue taking Chinese language classes at King’s Modern Language Centre.

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Employability

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.

Tuition Fees

UK:

Full time: £14,070 per year (2022/23)

International:

Full time: £24,660 per year (2022/23)

These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.

Deposit

When you receive an offer for this course you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. The deposit will be credited towards your total fee payment.

The UK deposit is £500.

The INTERNATIONAL deposit is £2,000. 

  • If you receive an offer on or before 31 March, payment is due by 25 April 2022.

  • If you receive an offer between 1 April and 30 June, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer.

  • If you receive an offer between 1 July and 31 July, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.

  • If you receive an offer between 1 August and 21 August, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer.

  • If you receive an offer from 22 August onwards, payment is due within three days of receiving the offer.

If you are a current King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.

 Additional costs/expenses

If you are studying abroad at a non-partner university, you should expect to pay tuition fees to the host university as well as King’s.

You should also budget to pay for the associated subsistence costs, such as travel, visas, accommodation and food as well as any vaccination/immunisations required by the country to which you are travelling. 

 

Additional Costs

In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:

  • 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

Funding

Application closing date guidance

Applications will be examined and offers will be made by a joint admissions board comprising academic staff from both King's and Renmin. Please note that the closing date for applications to King's is May 6th, so it will not be possible to be considered for this programme after this date. This should then give any successful applicants time to apply to Renmin University by their closing date of May 30th.

 

Students holding Chinese nationality should apply to Renmin directly first before applying through King's online system by May 6th. Chinese nationals will have to complete the National Entrance Examination for Postgraduate Students in China, per People's Republic of China Ministry of Education regulations. Renmin's contact details are as follows:

Ms Pan Haiyan

Ph: +86 10 6251 0626

E-mail: panhaiyan@ruc.edu.cn

Room 816B, Mingde International Building, School of International Studies, Renmin University of China, 59 Zhongguancun Street, Haidian, Beijing, China, 100872

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