BA South East Asian Studies is a three-year programme that strikes an exciting balance between the study of a South East Asian language (Burmese, Indonesian, Thai or Vietnamese) and the cultures of the region. Competence in a South East Asian language is developed as a tool for exploring the culture for which a spoken language is a vehicle.
The syllabus introduces its subject through the broad media of language, culture, literature and cinema with options also to gain knowledge of South East Asian history, politics, economics, linguistics, religious studies, music, art and archaeology, anthropology and others.
This degree is ideal for students who do not seek the intensive engagement with language demanded by the four-year degrees, but who desire a working knowledge of the language to enhance their engagement with the diversity of South East Asian culture.
Programme Code: T302 BA/SEASt
Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings
Start of programme: September
Mode of Attendance: Full-time
BTEC: DDM
Access to HE: Minimum of 30 Level 3 Credits at Distinction
Scottish Highers: AABBB
Scottish Advanced Highers: ABB
Irish LC: 320 points from 5 Higher level subjects at grade C1 or above
Advanced Placement: 4 4 4 (Two semesters - UCAS Group A) plus US HSGD with GPA 3.0
Euro Bacc: 80%
French Bacc: 14/20
German Abitur: 2.0
Italy DES: 80/100
Austria Mat: 2.0
Polish Mat: Overall 75% including 3 extended level subjects
Fees for 2021/22 entrants. The fees are per academic year. Please note that fees go up each year. Further details can be found in the Fees and Funding tab on this page or in the Registry Undergraduate Tuition Fees page
Professor Rachel V Harrison Convenor
Choose a language at a suitable level from Burmese, Indonesian, Thai or Vietnamese. This would typically be level 1 of the chosen language.
Please take the module below OR choose 30 credits from List B
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| H150 Introduction to the History of Modern East and Southeast Asia | 154800323 | 15 | Term 2 |
Choose a further 30 credits from List B or an open option from another department at an approved level.
You must take both of the following modules.
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cultural Studies of South and South East Asia | 155907002 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Cultural Studies of Mainland South East Asia | 155907003 | 15 | Term 1 |
A language module which is a continuation of the Year 1 language or 30 credits from List A.
30 credits from List A or a second approved language module.
Choose 30 credits from List A, List C or an open option at an approved level.
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independent Study Project in South East Asian Studies | 155901243 | 30 | Full Year |
A South East Asian language or modules to the value of 30 credits from List A.
A second approved language or modules to the value of 30 credits from List A or List C.
30 credits from List A, List C or an open option.
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burmese Language 1 A | 155906070 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Burmese Language 1 B | 155906071 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Indonesian Language 1 A | 155906066 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Indonesian Language 1 B | 155906067 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Khmer (Cambodian) Language 1 A | 155906074 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Khmer (Cambodian) Language 1 B | 155906075 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Thai Language 1 A | 155906072 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Thai Language 1 B | 155906073 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Vietnamese Language 1 A | 155906068 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Vietnamese Language 1 B | 155906069 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Burmese Language 2 | 155900997 | 30 | Full Year |
| Indonesian Language 2 | 155901022 | 30 | Full Year |
| Thai Language 2 | 155901367 | 30 | Full Year |
| Vietnamese Language 2 | 155900705 | 30 | Full Year |
| Thai Language 3 | 155901353 | 30 | Full Year |
| Vietnamese Language and Texts | 155901049 | 30 | Full Year |
| Thai Language 4 | 155901357 | 30 | Full Year |
| Vietnamese Literature | 155901113 | 30 | Full Year |
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand On Screen | 155901317- | 15 | |
| Indonesia on Screen | 155901354- | 15 | |
| Queer Cinema in Asia | 155907000 | 15 | Term 2 |
| English Literatures of South East Asia | 155901410 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Under Western Eyes: European Writings on South East Asia | 155907001 | 15 | Term 1 |
| War, Revolution and Independence in South East Asian Literatures in Translation | 155901316 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Jawi and the Manuscript Tradition | 155901312 | 15 | Term 1 |
These modules are for first year students only.
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Themes in the Art and Archaeology of South and Southeast Asia | 154900156 | 15 | Term 1 |
| R110 Introduction to Buddhism- | 158000110 | 15 credits | |
| Hinduism: Foundation | 158000118 | 15 credits | |
| World Christianity Foundation | 158000117 | 15 credits (0.5 unit) | |
| H150 Introduction to the History of Modern East and Southeast Asia | 154800323 | 15 | Term 2 |
Year 2 and Final Year South East Asia related modules. Please check any pre-requisites.
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast Asian Government And Politics | 153400022 | ||
| Music and Religion in South East Asia | 155800080 | 15 | Term 2 |
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.
No
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.
Introductory and intermediate modules in a South East Asian language use a wide variety of learning experiences and techniques. Most other units are taught by formal lecture and with related tutorials. Assessment is by a combination of written examination and coursework.
The SOAS's teaching is backed up by the South East Asia collection within the SOAS library, one of the world's major collections of information in the field of South East Asian studies. The South East Asia collection now contains over 6500 books and pamphlets and 550 periodical titles as well as substantial collections of microfilms and manuscripts.
Full details of undergraduate tuition fees can be found on the Registry's Undergraduate Tuition Fees page.
Fees for 2021/22 entrants. The fees below are per academic year. Please note that fees go up each year.
| Programme | Full-Time | |
|---|---|---|
| UK Students |
Overseas Students |
|
| BA, BSc, LLB | £9,250 | £19,560 |
| BA/BSc Language Year Abroad | £1,385 | £9,780 |
For further details and information on external scholarships visit the Scholarships section
As a graduate who specialised in the South East Asian region, you will have gained competency in language skills and intercultural awareness and understanding. Familiarity with the region will have been developed through a combination of the study of language, literature, history, cinema, politics, economics or law. Graduates leave SOAS not only with linguistic and cultural expertise, but also with a portfolio of widely transferable skills which employers seek in many professional and management careers, both in business and in the public sector. These include: written and oral communication skills; attention to detail; analytical and problem-solving skills; and the ability to research, amass and order information from a variety of sources.
Graduates have gone on to work for a range of organisations including:
| Atkins Heritage Burmese Refugee Project Dept for Environment, Food and Rural affairs Evergreen Energy Foreign & Commonwealth Office JP Morgan Karenni Student Development Programme LCC Children's Services |
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Netherlands Pepperdine University Semporna Islands Project Suzhou Education Bureau Medical Defence Union Xoom Corporation Climatechange.org Child in Need Institute |
Types of roles that graduates have gone on to do include:
| Senior Heritage Consultant Project Manager Policy Advisor Consul Lecturer Country Director Company Director Diplomat |
Professor of History Writer English Language Assistant Learning and Development Officer SVP Business Development Consultant International Marketing Executive Support Worker |
For more information about Graduate Destinations from this department, please visit the Careers Service website.
Magda Biran TaylorI always maintained my early interest in South East Asia and hoped to return to SOAS one day, in order to complete my studies. The opportunity to do this occurred when I retired. I am now studying for an MA in South East Asian Studies.
If you still have questions about this programme or studying at SOAS get in touch.
Undergraduate applications should be made through UCAS.