Start of programme: September intake only

Mode of Attendance: Full-time or Part-time

Who is this programme for?:

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?

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. Diplomats, activists, journalists, and those working with international organisations and NGOs, as well as those considering academic/research-oriented careers, will benefit from the broad analytical and in-depth empirical training provided by academics with wide professional networks and deep personal experience in Asia.

Outline

Students take taught modules to the value of 120 credits + dissertation:

• 30 credits from List A (compulsory)
• A minimum of 60 credits from List B 
• A maximum of 30 credits from List C (or any open option with the approval of the programme convenor)
• Dissertation on some aspect of Asian Politics (compulsory)

Dissertation

This would focus on some aspect of Asian Politics.

Core Modules

Students must take both modules in List A (to the value of 30 credits).

AND

Choose a minimum of 60 credits from List B

AND

Choose a maximum of 30 credits from List C OR any open option with approval of programme convenor.

List A

List B (East Asia Pathway)

List B (South Asia Pathway)

List C (East Asia Pathway)

List C (South Asia Pathway)

Programme Specification

• MSc Politics of Asia Programme Specification 2020/21 (pdf; 806kb)

Important notice

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 10,000-word dissertation. Students are encouraged to take up topics which relate the study of a particular region to a body of theory.

Learning Resources

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.

Learning Resources

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

Full details of postgraduate tuition fees can be found on the Registry's Postgraduate Tuition Fees page.

This is a Band 5 tuition fee.

Fees for 2021/22 entrants. The fees below are per academic year. Fees go up each year, therefore, your tuition fee in your second & subsequent years of study will be higher. Our continuing students, on the same degree programme, are protected from annual increases higher than 5%.

Scholarships

For further details and information on external scholarships visit the Scholarships section

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