History of Art and International Relations

History of art and international relations is an unusual and rich combination that brings together the study of how human beings have represented the world visually with the analysis of how they organise their relations across national boundaries. History of art examines the production, circulation, and meaning of visual culture, asking how objects, images, and built environments express and shape the values, beliefs, and power structures of the societies that made them. International relations examines how states, organisations, and other actors interact in the global arena, addressing war and peace, diplomacy, trade, human rights, and the governance of the commons.

At the School of Oriental and African Studies, this three-year full-time programme with a foundation year brings a distinctive focus on the art and politics of the Global South to both disciplines. SOAS's unparalleled expertise in Asian, African, and Middle Eastern cultures gives the history of art component a breadth and depth that is unusual in art history education, engaging with traditions that are often underrepresented in more Eurocentric programmes. The international relations component is similarly enriched by SOAS's orientation towards the politics and history of the developing world.

The foundation year provides a supported introduction before the main degree, making the programme accessible to students who want to build their academic foundations.

Graduates from this combination go on to careers in museums and galleries, international organisations, arts journalism, cultural diplomacy, journalism, education, and the charity sector. The combination of visual literacy and political analysis is particularly valuable in organisations that work at the intersection of culture and international affairs. Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in art history, international relations, museum studies, or cultural policy.