Interested in a career in business or banking with a specific focus in South East Asia? Then BA International Management and South East Asian Studies could be the perfect fit for you. In this programme you will gain a strong grounding in management science including modules in accounting, finance, managerial economics, marketing, corporate governance, research methods and international business strategy. While we also offer specialist modules that draw on SOAS's expert knowledge of the historical and cultural context of the region, as well as optional language modules.

After the first year students can choose whether to pursue language learning further, or to focus exclusively on non-language modules related to South East Asia. Introductory language modules taught in Year 1 assume no previous knowledge of the chosen language. These modules focus on all four linguistic skills – understanding, speaking, reading and writing.

Students who find they wish to concentrate more fully on South East Asian languages are encouraged to apply for or transfer to one of the four-year programmes in South East Asian language, which include a year abroad of intensive language-learning in the third year.

Why SOAS?

• SOAS is unique as the only higher education institution in the UK specialising in the study of Asia
• as the economies of South East Asia continue to expand, knowledge of the language and culture will be a big asset in the world of commerce and international trade
• we expertly apply theoretical concepts to real issues facing businesses and other organisations that operate in South East Asia
• we are specialists in the delivery of language courses. Given the importance of at least some language competence when doing business in the region, all students will have the opportunity to study Burmese, Indonesian, Thai or Vietnamese
• you will be able to flexibly structure your programme using our Open Options modules to take advantage of the expertise of our other departments, including the opportunity to learn a new language

Apply now via UCAS or visit our upcoming Open Day.

Find out more about how to apply.

Visit our South East Asia page to find out more.

Programme Code: TN3C BA/SEASIM

Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings

Start of programme: September

Mode of Attendance: Full-time

Students take 120 credits each year composed of Core, Compulsory and Optional modules.

Core modules: These are mandatory and must be passed in the year they are taken before the student can progress to the next year.

Compulsory modules: These are mandatory but in the case of a failure, students may carry this into their next year provided that they retake and pass the failed element or exam.

Optional modules: These are designed to help students design their own intellectual journey while maintaining a strong grasp of the fundamentals.

Year 1

Core Modules

• Please choose one of the following modules:

Compulsory Modules

• Please choose modules to the value of 30 credits from the following:

• PLUS 30 credits of a South East Asian language at a suitable level (Burmese, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai). This should typically be level 1 of the language chosen.

Year 2

Core Modules

Compulsory Modules

• Choose modules to the value of 60 credits from the list below:

• PLUS a continuation of year 1 SEA language or modules to the value of 30 credits from List A or C.

Year 3

Compulsory Modules

• Please choose modules to the value of 30 credits from the following:

• PLUS a continuation of year 2 SEA language or modules to the value of 30 credits from list A.

• PLUS 30 credits from List A, C or an open option.

List A: South East Asian Language Modules

List B: South East Asian Non-Language Modules

List C: South East Asian Related Modules

Programme Specification

• BA International Management & South East Asian Studies Programme Specification (pdf; 441kb)

Important notice

Teaching & Learning

Contact Hours

All full-time undergraduate programmes consist of 120 credits per year, taught in modules of 30 credits (taught over 20 weeks) or 15 credits (taught over 10 weeks). The programme structure shows which modules are compulsory and which optional.

As a rough guide, 1 credit equals approximately 10 hours of work. Most of this will be independent study (see Approaches to teaching and learning at SOAS). It will also include class time, which may include lectures, seminars and other classes. Some subjects, such as learning a language, have more class time than others.

In the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics, undergraduate modules take various forms. Modules may be taught through 1 or 2 hours of lectures a week, and some may have an additional 1-2 hours of weekly seminars. Languages classes may be 4-5 hours per week in the first and second year, typically less at higher levels.

More information is on the page for each module.

Modules are taught through a combination of lectures and tutorials, usually one hour a week of each. Sometimes, one follows the other in a two-hour bloc. Sometimes, the tutorial is at a different time or on a different day than the lecture.

Tutorials are sessions in which students are expected to present reports and take a lead in discussions.

Depending on the size of the class, some intermediate and advanced level modules are less strictly divided between a formal lecture and a tutorial discussion, and instead, the topic is briefly introduced by the lecturer, followed by a seminar discussion. Advanced level modules, which are usually taught in one two-hour bloc, often take this format.

The Independent Study Project (ISP)

These can be taken by final-year students only. Like the Special Subject dissertation, its aim is to provide an opportunity for students to conduct original historical research on their own initiative, to engage in in-depth analysis of particular subjects and to use a range of primary historical sources. It too involves no formal classes and is assessed by a single 10,000-word dissertation (including notes but excluding bibliography).

Learning Resources

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 undergraduate tuition fees can be found on the Registry's Undergraduate Tuition Fees page.

Fees for 2020/21 entrants. The fees below are per academic year. Please note that fees go up each year. 

Scholarships

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

Studying BA International Management and South East Asian Studies will provide students with a firm grasp of international management disciplines.

Skills gained include:

• a coherent and solid knowledge of management and finance, with direct reference to Asia
• a broad knowledge and understanding of South East Asian culture
• competence in speaking, reading and writing a South East Asian language to a level which will be of practical use
• the ability to think laterally and employ critical reasoning
• analytical skills
• communication and presentation skills

Graduates from the Department have pursued successful careers in business, banking, consulting, media and other industries, especially in companies or organisations that operate in, or do business with Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia or Burma.

Find out more about Finance and Management Graduate Destinations.

Graduates have gone on to work for a range of organisations including:

• Deloitte
• Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ
• KPMG
• Euro Monitor International
• Santander
• Investec
• HM Treasury
• Western Securities Co. Ltd
• Nomura
• UBS

Types of roles that graduates have gone on to do include:

• Trainee Chartered Accountant
• Business Relationship Manager
• Financial Analyst
• Market Research Executive
• Management Consultant
• Vice-President
• Foreign Exchange Trading Business Manager
• Deputy Chief Executive Officer
• Events Manager

• How to Apply
• UCAS website
• Request a prospectus
• Got a question - use our enquiry form (opens a new window)
• Funding options
• English language requirements
• Tuition Fees
• Admissions Contacts