The importance of non-western perspectives in global affairs

06 Dec 2018

The world is changing fast. It’s clear that the centre of global gravity has shifted – crises and political change within Europe and North America, as well as the rise and reassertion of non-western countries and regions– have changed the world we live in in far-reaching ways.

But the future is wide open for definition.

When studying global affairs in today’s ever-shifting climate, it’s essential to consider both local and international perspectives. No longer is the area of global affairs limited by one-way perspectives—now the field is open to cross-cutting and transnational issues. It’s an excellent time for any future globalist to dedicate their interests towards the discipline.

Global Affairs at King’s College London

Through a dynamic range of perspectives that considers both western and non-western viewpoints, Global Affairs MSc students at King’s College London examine the most pressing issues that face our rapidly globalising world.

“In a world in constant flux and facing a series of environmental, economic and political challenges, it is more important than ever that future global professionals acquire the specialised knowledge and academic training necessary to address and resolve them.

The Global Affairs MSc offers students unrivalled opportunities to draw together cross-regional expertise from across King’s world leading Departments and Global Institutes to develop advanced understandings of the drivers of this change and the skills and networking capabilities to work collaboratively on the generation of bespoke solutions,” says Professor Bronwyn Parry, Head of the School of Global Affairs at King’s.

The MSc Global Affairs examines the politics, society, economics and history of the world’s non-western, regional and rising powers and their role within a changing world order. It provides the opportunity to study China, India, Russia, Brazil, the Middle East or Africa; to understand both the larger countries as well as the regions within which they are situated.

Students also have the unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience of designing and executing an independent research project on a global subject – either a dissertation with research methods training or a capstone project alongside specialised policy-oriented micromodules.

King’s College London (King’s), a QS Top 10 UK University (2019), is located in the heart London and offers an inclusive learning environment with a mix of students from around the world. With a firm focus on regions beyond the UK, international students bring a unique and valued global perspective to lectures.

Eligible applicants can apply for a £9,900 Master’s scholarship to study Global Affairs MSc.

Global Institutes with international perspective

Global Affairs MSc students will benefit from a flexible curriculum which allows them to develop specialist regional knowledge. King’s is home to several Global Institutes which offer regional expertise, including:

The King’s India Institute; the only institute in Britain dedicated solely to the study of India. With expertise that delve into study areas such as the foundations of the contemporary Indian state, gangster politics and the economics of corruption, it’s the ideal place to focus on this South Asian country.

At the King’s Russia Institute, research sees how the country is doing 26 years after the fall of the Soviet Union and 100 years since the Bolshevik revolution. Since there have been countless cultural conflicts and conversations involving Russia, this is an interesting arena for any postgraduate student embarking on a journey into modern human history.

Bringing Brazilian culture and history to the forefront of analysis, King’s Brazil Institute coordinates and develops Brazil-related research capabilities and Brazil-focused programmes, simultaneously building links with Brazilian organisations in education, the cultural and creative sectors, business and government. With a primary focus on the BRIC economies, this organisation often attracts Global Affairs MSc postgraduate learners looking to relate their research projects to Brazil.

The Lau China Institute is another of King’s global gems. Complemented by high-quality teaching and credible research initiatives, the institute is keen to participate in the public debate on China within the UK, in Europe and globally, also keen to promote its innovative and multi-disciplinary research.

Another advantage of studying at King’s College London is the acclaimed African Leadership Centre (ALC). By covering a range of themes like leadership, political economy of development and peace security, the ALC is a global community of scholars, based at KCL and the University of Nairobi, informing and influencing policy change in Africa and at a global level.

How to connect to the Global Affairs MSc

If you’re interested in applying to the postgraduate Global Affairs MSc at King’s College London – discover more here.

A course that encourages you to ask questions like “What does a strong China look like?”, “How are the patterns of transition in Africa influencing global discourses on socio-economic transformation?” and “Why do we need to know more about Brazil?”, this programme will challenge and refine your world view.

If you’re ready to develop an advanced understanding of the politics, society, economy and history of non-western countries, regions and rising powers, and you’ve taken a close look at the international entry requirements – what are you waiting for?

It’s time to take your skills to the UK and evolve into a global graduate at the School of Global Affairs, King’s College London.

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