Teaching & modules
Modules
Course structure
Programmes are divided into modules, and students on this programme take modules totalling 180 credits.
Required modules
You are required to take the following module:
Students must choose to take two modules as part of either a Dissertation or the Capstone Project.
Global Affairs Dissertation option (75 Credits)
plus
Students demonstrating recognition of prior learning in research methods may take either of the following advanced research methods modules in place of Introduction to Research Methods:
or
Global Affairs Capstone Project option - 75 credit points
- Global Affairs Capstone Project (60 credits)
- Approaches to Policymaking (5 credits)
- International Conflict Analysis and Resolution (5 credits)
- International Trade Policy (5 credits)
Students must choose TWO modules from the following list of regional introductory options.
Optional modules
A further 45 credits of level 7 optional modules from the modules offered in the Africa, Brazil, China, India, Middle East or Russia Institutes, which may include 15 credits from any other level 7 module offered in KCL Departments outside of these institutes (subject to the Programme Convenor’s email approval and the agreement of the external department).
This may also include a 15-credit language module offered by the King’s Language Centre.
- Gender Leadership and Society (15 credits)
- Building Gender-Inclusive Organisations and Outcomes (15 credits)
- The State and Development in Africa and Asia (15 credits)
- Youth and Society in the Developing World (15 credits)
- Religion and Politics in India and Pakistan (15 credits)
- Democracy and Authoritarianism (15 credits)
- Oil, Gas and Modernization in Russia (15 credits)
- Energy Security and Energy Transition in Eurasia (15 credits)
- Governance and Economic Growth in Transition (15 credits)
- President's Global Leadership Award (PGLA) (15 credits)
- The Political Economy of Latin America (15 credits)
- Natural Resource Governance (15 credits)
- Governance of Security (15 credits)
- Global Welfare Politics (15 credits)
- Civil-Military Relations in the Global South (15 credits)
- Contemporary Ukrainian Politics and Society (15 credits)
- Russia's War in Ukraine (15 credits)
- New and emerging security threats in post-Soviet Eurasia (15 credits)
- Responding to Terrorism (15 credits)
- Divided Cities, Contested States: Urban Violence and Transformation in the Middle East (15 credits)
- Sanctions and Economic Statecraft in War and Peace (15 credits)
- Russia and its West (15 credits)
- Doing Business in China (15 credits)
- China's International Relations, 1949-Present (15 credits)
- Contemporary Chinese Politics (15 credits)
- Contemporary Chinese Society: Change and Transformation (15 credits)
- Modern Chinese Political Thought: Ideology, Language and Practice (15 credits)
- Infrastructure, Technology, and Power in the Age of Global China (15 credits)
- Environment, Sustainability and Climate Change in China (15 credits)
- Economic Policies and Development in Contemporary China (15 credits)
- Chinese International Investments (15 credits)
Students also have the opportunity to take an additional 15 credits of optional modules in language courses offered by the King’s Language Centre, totalling 195 credits across the MSc programme.
Part-time students have some flexibility in the way they divide their modules but must take Introduction to Global Affairs and up to three optional modules (ideally including both regional introductory modules) in their first year (75 credits in total in year 1). The remainder of optional modules (45 credits) plus the Global Affairs Dissertation or Global Affairs Capstone Project (both 60 credits) should be completed in the second year.
For those doing the dissertation, Introduction to Research Methods (Global Institutes) can be taken in the first or second year. Part-time students opting for the Global Affairs Capstone Project may choose to take the ISfG credits in their first or second year, or spread them out if possible.
Teaching methods - what to expect
We use lectures, seminars and group workshops to deliver most of the modules on the programme. You will also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study.
A typical 15 credit module involves 15-20 hours of lectures and/or seminars, plus 130-135 hours of self-study to prepare for classes and assignments. A typical 30 credit module involves 20-30 hours of lectures/seminars plus 270-280 hours of self-guided or group-based learning/project work. The dissertation module typically involves five hours of dissertation supervision and approximately 595 hours of self-guided learning while researching and writing the dissertation. The capstone project will involve a combination of lectures, workshops, 8 hours of group and individual supervision as well as approximately 566 hours of self-guided or group-based work.
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
Assessment
- Assessed Essays
- Presentations
- Exams
Your performance will be assessed through a combination of assessment methods. Assessment methods will depend on the modules selected. Forms of assessment may typically include: • A combination of essay(s) and other written or oral exercises such as policy papers, exams, multimedia presentations and writing/data based exercises. • The Global Affairs Dissertation will be assessed solely on the basis of the dissertation (12,000 words). • One assessment for the module Introduction to Research Methods (Global Institutes) will involve writing a research proposal. • The Global Affairs Capstone Project will be assessed on the basis of a group research report, individual policy paper and an individual action appeal.