SOAS, University of London (The School of Oriental and African Studies)

Overview

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

SOAS has an international reputation for excellence in the field of South Asian studies. In the most recent RAE (2009), 65% of the work of the department was rated as world leading or internationally excellent, an assessment that helped SOAS to achieve the rank of first in the UK in Asian Studies.

The department welcomes applications for the degrees of MPhil or PhD on any topic related to the research interests and disciplines of the Department’s research-active staff. Prospective candidates should consult the details of the various staff members’ research areas. These presently include, but are not limited to: Indian film and cinema; diaspora studies; postcolonial literature; literary studies associated with Hindi, Urdu, Nepali, Gujarati, Tamil and Sanskrit; classical Hinduism; feminism; current representations of Muslims; and the politics of Nepal, Bhutan and Pakistan. Broader topics can be accommodated through joint supervision with colleagues in other departments and centres.

A full research training programme is provided at a Faculty level, in addition to the close attention each student receives from his or her supervisor. It is intended that this training will be supplemented on a disciplinary basis through seminars run by the various Centres located in the Faculty.

A list of both current and recently completed PhD projects can be consulted, and a list of current staff members and their research interests are available. Would-be candidates are strongly encouraged to make initial contact with a prospective supervisor in the first instance, and well in advance of submitting their application, to discuss their proposed research. More general queries should be directed to the Department Research Tutor or to the Admissions Office.