Southeast Asian Art Academic Programme

The Alphawood Scholarships form part of the Southeast Asian Art Academic Programme (SAAAP) at SOAS University of London, which is generously supported by the Alphawood Foundation (Chicago). Applications may be made on the Alphawood Scholarships online application form until 13 January 2023.

The remit of SAAAP is to: support and advance, through study and research, the understanding and preservation of Southeast Asian Buddhist and Hindu art and architecture from ancient to pre-modern times. The SAAAP remit includes study of the built environment, sculpture, painting, illustrated texts, textiles and other tangible or visual representations, along with the written word related to these, and archaeological, museum and cultural heritage studies.

Between 2014 and 2022, SAAAP provided over 100 Alphawood Scholarships which supported Southeast Asian scholars' postgraduate study at the Certificate, Diploma, MA and MPhil/PhD levels in the Department of History of Art and Archaeology at SOAS.

Alphawood Scholarships also provide support for our students to advance their English-language proficiency through dedicated courses at the SOAS Department of International Foundation Courses and English Language Studies (IFCELS).

Through the Alphawood Scholarships scheme, it is expected that our scholars and alumni will be well-equipped to make a significant and positive impact on the understanding and preservation of ancient to pre-modern Buddhist and Hindu art and architecture in Southeast Asia.

Alphawood Scholars are selected with the expectation that, as alumni, they will be in a position to apply the learning and skills they gain while on award to the benefit of the galleries, museums, heritage organisations, universities, government departments and other institutions in the Southeast Asian region in which they may go on to work.

The geographical reach of the Alphawood Scholarships scheme, as in the wider SAAAP, includes: Brunei; Cambodia; East Timor; Indonesia; Laos; Malaysia; Myanmar/Burma; Singapore; Thailand; and Vietnam.

The Alphawood Scholarships commencing with the 2023-24 academic year will cover:

• Tuition fees - scholars’ SOAS tuition fees will be paid in full for the MA/Diploma programme and the cost of a bespoke English language preparatory course at SOAS’ International Foundation Courses and English Language Studies (IFCELS) department;

• Maintenance – an allowance of £18,062 per year (pro rata) will be paid to the scholar to cover costs of living and studying in central London (or, if studying remotely, an adjusted allowance will be paid to reflect local living costs);

• Travel – the cost of economy flights to and from the UK at the start and end of the MA/Diploma programme will be paid by the scholarship; and

• Visa and other costs - the costs of any visa, requisite Covid-19, health checks and Immigration Health Surcharge costs required for visa purposes, will be reimbursed to Scholars on arrival in the UK.

To be considered for an Alphawood Scholarship, you must have received an offer for your programme of study from the SOAS Department of Art and Archaeology by the time that the Scholarships are awarded in February 2023. 

All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply to SOAS for a place in the  MA/Diploma programme in the Department of History of Art and Archaeology as a first priority.

Once you have completed and submitted your application for admission to the MA/Diploma programme, you should then develop your application for an Alphawood Scholarship, as set out below.

The following eligibility criteria apply to all prospective applicants to the Alphawood Scholarships scheme this year:

• You should normally be resident in one of the following countries: Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar/Burma, Singapore, Thailand or Vietnam.

• Applications will be considered from candidates who are not normally resident in these countries, provided you can demonstrate your intention and capacity to return or relocate to the region to pursue employment, teaching, further study or to otherwise make a direct and positive impact in the countries listed above regarding the objectives of the SAAAP Remit. Please include evidence of this in your personal statement.

• If applying for an MA programme, you should outline your proposed dissertation topic at the point of application for admission and application for award, and articulate how this topic addresses the ancient to pre-modern Buddhist or Hindu art or architecture of Southeast Asia, in line with the objectives of the SAAAP Remit. Please include evidence of this in your personal statement.

For the 2023-24 academic year, the Alphawood Scholarships scheme will be available to support one of the following programmes:

• MA History of Art and Archaeology - https://www.soas.ac.uk/art/programmes/mahistartarch/

• Postgraduate Diploma in Asian Art - any combination of three Diploma modules, including Southeast Asian Art module - https://www.soas.ac.uk/art/programmes/dipasart/

Awards to support study under other postgraduate programmes at SOAS are not available for the 2023-24 academic year.

Please note that candidates are asked to provide evidence of their English-language proficiency at the point of application to demonstrate that they hold the minimum level of proficiency for entry onto either the MA or the Diploma programme. Your application should include:

• an approved English Language test result (IELTS for UKVI) with the date the test was taken. Preference may be given to applicants with an IELTS test above 5.5 within the last 2 years; and/or

• evidence of prior undergraduate study, at an English-language university, where possible.

Depending on individuals’ needs, the Alphawood Scholarship will be extended pro rata to provide English language support for scholars, as follows:

• Online English language training - in preparation for commencement of the chosen programme, all scholars will be expected to undertake this training. It will be tailored to individuals’ needs and consist of weekly one-to-one distance learning sessions. The sessions will run for 12 weeks from April 2023. Details will be provided upon award;

• Pre-sessional English-language tuition – up to 4 weeks tuition at SOAS’ International Foundation Courses and English Language Studies (IFCELS) Department prior to taking up the MA/Diploma programme (in September 2023). https://www.soas.ac.uk/ifcels/presessional/

To obtain entry onto the IFCELS four week pre-sessional course in August and September, candidates will be preferred who can submit in their application evidence of IELTS for UKVI scores of at least 6.5 overall.  With at least 6.5 in Writing and at least 6.0 in Speaking, Reading and Listening. More guidance on IFCELS assessments can be found here.

Students who do not meet the minimum English-language threshold for entry onto the MA/Diploma programmes in September 2023 will not be eligible to take up an Alphawood Scholarship at that time.  

Applicants who need to make an appointment to take the IELTS for UKVI examination to support UK student visa applications, (see Student visa : Knowledge of English - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)).  Please note that examinations must be booked at a test centre that has been approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). Applicants are reminded that the examination should be valid for visa application purposes, and should be issued with a UKVI reference number. Results from other types of IELTS examinations may not be valid for visa application purposes.

Successful candidates will be reimbursed for the cost of one IELTS for UKVI test once arrived in the UK and after opening a UK bank account. Alphawood Scholarship applicants will need to submit official IELTS or equivalent results (dated from within the last two years) as a part of the application for admission. Or provide a valid reason why this has not been possible.

Applications for award are assessed by a Selection Panel comprised of members of SOAS staff with pertinent academic and professional experience and convened as a function of the SAAAP Scholarships Sub-board.

The Panel will assess candidates on the information provided in both the Application for admission to the MA/Diploma programme (academic references, transcripts, personal statements and other relevant information) and that contained in the Alphawood Scholarships application.

The Panel will assess applicants on the basis of the following criteria:

• previous degree and experience in Southeast Asian Buddhist and Hindu art and architecture from ancient to pre-modern times, including study of the built environment, sculpture, painting, illustrated texts, textiles and other tangible or visual representations, along with the written word related to these, and archaeological, museum and cultural heritage studies;

• interest in (and engagement with) the objectives of the programme of study;

• potential for personal growth and development with the scholarship award;

• intentions following completion of their studies at SOAS;

• interest in (and engagement with) the objectives of the SAAAP mission;

• perceived potential for direct and positive impact in the field and in the region;

• the potential for of advancing the field of study within the remit;

• recommendations of two references, as provided in the Application for Admission to the SOAS Department of Art and Archaeology; and

• in consideration of expressed financial need for a scholarship to support MA/Diploma study at SOAS.

There are 2 steps to the application process.

STEP 1 – Application for Admission in the MA/Diploma programme:

All candidates considering an application for an Alphawood Scholarship are first asked to complete their application for admission to the relevant MA/Diploma programme through the following:

• MA History of Art and Archaeology – online application here: https://app.askadmissions.co.uk/AYApplicantLogin/fl_ApplicantLogin.asp?id=soas

• Postgraduate Diploma in Asian Art - any combination of three Diploma modules, including Southeast Asian Art module – download application form here: Postgraduate Diploma in Asian Art | SOAS

Please read the relevant guidance on the Department of Art and Archaeology site before you start your application (https://www.soas.ac.uk/art/)

All Alphawood Scholarship applicants will be required to have an offer of admission in place by the time the Alphawood Scholarships Selection Panel begin reviewing applications (from mid-January to early February 2023).

As the Department of History of Art and Archaeology may take up to four weeks to assess applications for admission and to offer a place in the relevant programme, we strongly recommended that applicants should complete and submit applications for admission to the Department of Art and Archaeology by 31 December 2022 at the very latest.

STEP 2 – Application for an Alphawood Scholarship:

After submitting an application for admission to the Department of Art and Archaeology, applicants should then apply for an Alphawood Scholarship through the Alphawood Scholarships online application form. 

Please note that applicants should complete and submit this Application Form in one sitting. It is not possible to save drafts of this form, nor to return to a partially-complete form at a later date for revision.

As such, all applicants are recommended to make note of the questions and work on responses in a separate document until fully satisfied with the responses. Applicants may then return to the Online Application Form to input and submit these final responses.

Applicants should use the Personal Statement section in their Application for Scholarship to demonstrate their interest in the objectives specified in the SAAAP Remit. They should also demonstrate their intention to pursue employment, teaching, further study, research or to otherwise make a positive impact in areas of the SAAAP Remit after studying at SOAS.

The deadline for applications for an Alphawood Scholarship for MA/Diploma study this year is Friday 13 January 2023.

The application process is now open. This Application Form is to be used when applying for one of the scholarships. The closing date for applications to be received at SOAS is 23.59 (UTC) on Friday 13th January 2023.

Please note that you should complete and submit this Application Form in one sitting. You are not able to save drafts of this form, nor are you able to return to your form at a later date for revision.

As such, we recommend that you make note of the questions below and work on your responses in a separate document until you are fully satisfied with your responses. You may then return to this form to input and submit your final responses.

Apply for an Alphawood Scholarship 2023-2024 here.

• 31 December 2022 – Candidates should submit their complete application for admission to the SOAS Department of Art and Archaeology using the application forms indicated above;

• 13 January 2023 – Candidates must submit their complete application for an Alphawood Scholarship through the Alphawood Scholarships online application form by this time

• 9 February 2023 – The Alphawood Scholarships Selection Panel and SAAAP Programme Board agree the successful applicant/s for award to support MA/Diploma study commencing in the 2023-24 academic year. The SAAAP Office will contact all applicants shortly thereafter to inform them of the outcome of their application

• April to Mid-July 2023 – bespoke English language training;

• Late August 2023 – 4-week IFCELS Pre-sessional Course B begins

• Late September 2023 - Academic Term 1 (2023-24) at SOAS begins

For more information about the Alphawood Scholarships or the Southeast Asian Art Academic Programme at SOAS, please contact: Email: alphawoodscholarships@soas.ac.uk

Email Distribution List

If you would like to be added to our email distribution list, please send a message to alphawoodscholarships@soas.ac.uk clearly indicating your email address, your first and last names and your home institution (if applicable).

Once you are signed up, you will begin to receive periodic emails keeping you up to date with Southeast Asian Art Academic Programme news, events, seminars and new opportunities of interest.

Previous newsletter publications

• Newsletter - 13 Edition - 2021-2022
• Newsletter - 12 Edition - May 2021
• Newsletter - 11 Edition - Feb 2021
• Newsletter - 10 Edition - Oct 2020
• Newsletter - 09 Edition - Feb 2020
• Newsletter - 08 Edition - Jul 2019
• Newsletter - 07 Edition - Jan 2019
• Newsletter - 06 Edition - Sep 2018
• Newsletter - 05 Edition - May 2018
• Newsletter - 04 Edition - Jan 2018
• Newsletter - 03 Edition - Sep 2017
• Newsletter - 02 Edition - May 2017
• Newsletter - 01 Edition

Bob Annibale

Chair of Programme Board
Email: ba15@soas.ac.uk

Professor Adam Habib

SOAS Director
Email: soasdirector@soas.ac.uk

Dr Charlotte Horlyck

Programme Board Member, Outreach Sub-board Chair and Scholarships Sub-board Chair
Email: ch10@soas.ac.uk

Dr Mulaika Hijjas

Programme Board Member, Scholarships Sub-board Member and Research & Publications Sub-board Member
Email: mh86@soas.ac.uk

Dr Heather Elgood, MBE

Programme Board Member, Scholarships Sub-board Member
Email: he2@soas.ac.uk

Ms Suzanne Rushforth

Programme Board Member, Scholarships Sub-board member
Email: s.rushforth@soas.ac.uk

Dr Peter D. Sharrock

Communications and Outreach Manager, Programme Board Member, Scholarships Sub-board Member, Outreach Sub-Board Member
Email: ps56@soas.ac.uk

Professor Ashley Thompson

Academic Lead, Programme Board Member, Research and Publications Sub-group Chair, Scholarships Sub-board member
Email: at50@soas.ac.uk

Southeast Asian Art Academic Programme is committed to building a strong network of institutions and leaders in the field, as well as championing the work of our Scholars and academic staff. We do this through establishing a range of partnerships with universities and heritage bodies in Southeast Asia to jointly host symposia, conferences and summer programmes; supporting the development of important libraries and collections in the region; and engaging with regional universities, cultural and heritage advancement bodies to raise awareness and visibility of our research and to attract new prospective Alphawood Scholars to join the Programme and pursue a higher degree in the field at SOAS.

Through our Outreach work, we also produce a three-times annual Southeast Asian Art Academic Programme newsletter, where you can learn more about our partnerships, conferences and events both in Southeast Asia as well as in the UK. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with Programme news, events and activities.

Outreach sub-board members

Dr Charlotte Horlyck

Programme Board Member, Outreach Sub-board Chair and Scholarships Sub-board Chair
Email: ch10@soas.ac.uk

Dr Peter D. Sharrock

Communications and Outreach Manager, Programme Board Member, Scholarships Sub-board Member, Outreach Sub-Board Member
Email: ps56@soas.ac.uk

Professor Elizabeth Moore

In-region Liaison, Outreach Sub-Board Member, Scholarships Sub-board member
Email: em4@soas.ac.uk

Dr Malcolm McNeill

Outreach Sub-Board Member, Scholarships Sub-Board Member
Email: mm133@soas.ac.uk

Dr Stephen A. Murphy

Outreach Sub-Board Member, Research and Publications Sub-board member, Scholarships Sub-board member
Email: sm120@soas.ac.uk

Southeast Asian Art Academic Programme supports SOAS academic staff, students and alumni to develop exciting new research initiatives in the study of ancient and pre-modern Hindu and Buddhist art and archaeology from the region through its Academic Support Fund. Through this fund Southeast Asian Art Academic Programme is able to provide discrete project funding to individuals and teams to: develop new publications; carry out research fieldwork in the region; host conferences and symposia; partner with museums, galleries and libraries in Southeast Asia; and lead on a wide range of other activities that support scholarship in the field.

For more information on projects that have been supported by the Southeast Asian Art Academic Programme Academic Support Fund, please consult our three-times annual Southeast Asian Art Academic Programme Newsletter. For more information on how to apply to the Academic Support Fund to support your planned project or activity, please learn more about the Fund and how to apply on this site.

Research and publications sub-board members

Professor Ashley Thompson

Academic Lead, Programme Board Member, Research and Publications Sub-group Chair, Scholarships Sub-board member
Email: at50@soas.ac.uk

Dr Christian Luczanits

Research and Publications Sub-board Member, Scholarships Sub-board Member
Email: cl46@soas.ac.uk

Dr Stephen A. Murphy

Outreach Sub-Board Member, Research and Publications Sub-board member, Scholarships Sub-board member
Email: sm120@soas.ac.uk

Dr Crispin Branfoot

Research and Publications Sub-board member
Email: crispin.branfoot@soas.ac.uk

Dr Mulaika Hijjas

Programme Board Member, Scholarships Sub-board Member and Research & Publications Sub-board Member
Email: mh86@soas.ac.uk

Panggah Ardiyansyah

Research and Publications Sub-board member
Email: 642001@soas.ac.uk

The Alphawood Scholarships, administered through the Southeast Asian Art Academic Programme, are designed to bring outstanding Southeast Asian postgraduate students to SOAS to undertake Doctoral, Masters, Diploma or Certificate programmes which focus on ancient to pre-modern Buddhist and Hindu art in Southeast Asia.

Through their SOAS postgraduate programmes, through engagement with leading SOAS academics and through the strong networks that they build during their time on award, our Alphawood Scholars and Alumni are making a significant and positive impact on the understanding and preservation of ancient to pre-modern art and architecture in the region. With support from Southeast Asian Art Academic Programme, our Scholars are able to apply new skills in their home institutions, advance the body of knowledge and develop important new threads of research, lead on discrete projects, events and activities through our Academic Support Fund, and build strong international networks to support them throughout their careers.

To learn more about the Alphawood Scholars and how to apply, please visit our Alphawood Scholarships page for further information.

Scholarships sub-board members

Dr Charlotte Horlyck

Programme Board Member, Outreach Sub-board Chair and Scholarships Sub-board Chair
Email: ch10@soas.ac.uk

Dr Peter D. Sharrock

Communications and Outreach Manager, Programme Board Member, Scholarships Sub-board Member, Outreach Sub-Board Member
Email: ps56@soas.ac.uk

Dr Stephen A. Murphy

Outreach Sub-Board Member, Research and Publications Sub-board member, Scholarships Sub-board member
Email: sm120@soas.ac.uk

Professor Elizabeth Moore

In-region Liaison, Outreach Sub-Board Member, Scholarships Sub-board member
Email: em4@soas.ac.uk

Ms Suzanne Rushforth

Programme Board Member, Scholarships Sub-board member
Email: s.rushforth@soas.ac.uk

Professor Ashley Thompson

Academic Lead, Programme Board Member, Research and Publications Sub-group Chair, Scholarships Sub-board member 
Email: at50@soas.ac.uk

Dr Christian Luczanits

Research and Publications Sub-board Member, Scholarships Sub-board Member
Email: cl46@soas.ac.uk

Dr Malcolm McNeill

Outreach Sub-Board Member, Scholarships Sub-Board Member
Email: mm133@soas.ac.uk

Dr Mulaika Hijjas

Programme Board Member, Scholarships Sub-board Member and Research & Publications Sub-board Member
Email: mh86@soas.ac.uk

Alan Goulbourne

Programme Manager
Email: ag87@soas.ac.uk

Siris Karadia

Project Administrator
Email: sk162@soas.ac.uk

• SAAAP Alphawood Scholarships at SOAS 2022-23 - VISA
• SAAAP Annual Report 2020-21
• SAAAP Annual Report 2020
• SAAAP Annual Report 2018
• SAAAP The Alphawood Midterm Review - 2017-05
• SAAAP Mid-term review 2016-06-06th
• SAAAP The Alphawood SAAAP and Capital Gift Annual Report 2014-15
• SAAAP Alphawood Progress Report 2014-10
• SAAAP Governing Structure

• Programme board minutes 11th Nov 2021
• Programme board minutes 06th May 2021
• Programme board minutes 18th Feb 2021
• Programme board minutes 05th Nov 2020
• Programme board minutes 11th Jun 2020
• Programme board minutes 07th May 2020
• Programme board minutes 20th Feb 2020
• Programme board minutes 12th Dec 2019
• Programme board minutes 07th Nov 2019
• Programme board minutes 27th Jun 2019
• Programme board minutes 25th Apr 2019
• Programme board minutes 20th Feb 2019
• Programme board minutes 13th Dec 2018
• Programme board minutes 19th Oct 2018
• Programme board minutes 28th Jun 2018
• Programme board minutes 19th Mar 2018
• Programme board minutes 21st Feb 2018
• Programme board minutes 14th Dec 2017
• Programme board minutes 19th Oct 2017
• Programme board minutes 23rd Aug 2017
• Programme board minutes 27th Jun 2017
• Programme board minutes 23rd May 2017
• Programme board minutes 22nd Mar 2017
• Programme board minutes 26th Jan 2017
• Programme board minutes 15th Dec 2016
• Programme board minutes 15th Nov 2016
• Programme board minutes 04th Oct 2016