Overview and entry requirements
The SOAS MSc Politics of Asia fosters close analysis of politics in Asia — both South Asia and East Asia, with additional options covering Southeast Asia and Central Asia. How do globalization, nationalism, nuclear rivalry, and urban development affect political life in Asia?
What drives the politics of ethnicity, religion, and gender? How should we understand the specific characteristics of politics (both formal and informal) in India, Pakistan, China, Taiwan, Japan, and Korea, as well as Indonesia, Thailand, Turkmenistan, and many other countries in the region?
See Department of Politics and International Studies
Why study MSc Politics of Asia at SOAS
We’re ranked 5th in the UK for Politics, as well as 3rd globally for academic reputation (QS World University Rankings 2022).
The MSc Politics of Asia is organised along two pathways (South Asia / East Asia) with the option to combine courses from both whilst exploring courses covering other parts of the region. The degree examines the politics of Asia from a range of disciplinary perspectives, including political sociology, comparative politics, political theory, and international relations.
Explore
Start of programme: September intake only
Mode of Attendance: Full-time or Part-time
Entry requirements
- We will consider all applications with a 2:2 (or international equivalent) or higher in a relevant subject. In addition to degree classification we take into account other elements of the application such as supporting statement. References are optional, but can help build a stronger application if you fall below the 2:2 requirement or have non-traditional qualifications.
Please see our 'postgraduate entry requirements' page for Overseas and EU qualifications and equivalencies.
- duration:
- One calendar year (full-time);
Two or three years (part-time, daytime only)
Fees 2022/23
- Home students fees:
- £14,270
- Overseas students fees:
- £23,800
Fees for 2022/23 entrants. This is a Band 2 fee. The fees are per academic year. Please note that fees go up each year. Further details can be found on the Postgraduate tuition fees page
Structure
Students take taught modules to the value of 120 credits PLUS a 10,000 word dissertation (15PPOC999) worth 60 credits.
Credits must be taken in the following combination;
Dissertation
This would focus on some aspect of Asian Politics.
List A
Compulsory modules
List B
East Asia Pathway
List B
South Asia Pathway
List C
East Asia Pathway: A maximum of 30 credits from List C (including language open options)
List C
South Asia Pathway: A maximum of 30 credits from List C (including language open options)
Programme Specification
Important notice
The information on the programme page reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. If you are a current student you can find structure information on the previous year link at the top of the page or through your Department. Please read the important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules.
Teaching & Learning
Modules are taught by a combination of methods, principally lectures, tutorial classes, seminars and supervised individual study projects. The MSc programme consists of three taught modules (corresponding to three examination papers) and a dissertation.
Lectures
Most modules involve a 50-minute lecture as a key component with linked tutorial classes.
Seminars
At Masters level there is particular emphasis on seminar work taking place in two-hour sessions. Students make full-scale presentations for each unit that they take, and are expected to write papers that often require significant independent work.
Dissertation
A quarter of the work for the degree is given over to the writing of an adequately researched word dissertation. Students are encouraged to take up topics which relate the study of a particular region to a body of theory.
SOAS Library
SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.
Tuition fees
Fees for 2022/23 entrants, per academic year (Band 2 tuition fee)
Full-time |
Part-time 2 years |
Part-time 3 years |
Home Students |
Overseas Students |
Home Students |
Overseas Students |
Home Students |
Overseas Students |
£14,270 |
£23,800 |
£7,135 |
£11,900 |
£4,710 |
£7,855 |
Fees go up each year, therefore your tuition fee in your second and subsequent years of study will be higher.
Our continuing students, on the same degree programme, are protected from annual increases higher than 5%.
Full details of postgraduate tuition fees can be found on the postgraduate tuition fees page.
Scholarships
Application Deadline: 2022-01-28 15:00
Application Deadline: 2022-01-28 15:00
Application Deadline: 2022-05-31 00:00
Application Deadline: 2022-05-31 00:00
Application Deadline: 2022-05-31 00:00
Application Deadline: 2022-05-31 00:00
Application Deadline: 2022-05-31 00:00
Application Deadline: 2022-05-31 00:00
Application Deadline: 2022-05-31 00:00
Application Deadline: 2022-05-31 00:00
Application Deadline: 2022-05-02 00:00
Application Deadline: 2022-04-05 00:00
Application Deadline: 2022-05-02 00:00
For further details and information on external scholarships visit the Scholarships section
Employment
SOAS Politics and International Relations students leave SOAS not only with a knowledge and understanding of the complex political and cultural issues of our time, but also with a portfolio of widely transferable skills which employers seek in many professional and management careers.
Recent graduates from the Department of Politics and International Studies have been hired by:
- BBC World Service
- Bloomberg
- British Red Cross
- British Council
- Center for International Peace Operations
- Channel 4
- Council for At-Risk Academics (CARA)
- Department for International Development (DfID)
- Eversheds LLP
- Financial Times
- Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO)
- Global Policy Institute
- Go East Consulting
- Grassroot Diplomat
- Palestine Red Crescent Association
- Save the Children
- UNICEF Ethiopia
- United Nations
Find out about our Careers Service.
A Student's Perspective
SOAS is more than a university and a place to get an education, it is a community and a big diverse family.
Arzu Abbasova