Please note this programme is not accepting applications for 2019/20
BA South Asian Studies and International Management as a 3-year degree combines the study of management and finance (with particular focus on Asia) with the the study of South Asia from a number of aspects (culture, history, music, art, literature, politics, economics, law, anthropology). The programme consists of four modules every year, with at least five modules completed in your first subject and four in the second subject. Students can choose whether to pursue language learning or focus exclusively on culture modules related to South Asia. Students who decide not to pursue language study and spend the third year abroad can transfer to the BA South Asian Studies and International Management 3-year degree.
Programme Code: TNC2 BA/SASIM
Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings
Start of programme: September
Mode of Attendance: Full-time
Entry requirements
- Languages at SOAS are taught ab initio, and no prior knowledge is required. A foreign language at A-level or equivalent is preferred but not essential.
- Interview Policy: Candidates with ‘non-standard’ qualifications are often invited for interview, though many applications are assessed on the basis of the UCAS forms alone.
- duration:
- 3 years
The first year features the core module South Asian Culture, a modular module surveying the cultural history of South Asia; a language module or an introductory module on the art, religion or history of South Asia; two half credit introductory modules on accounting, management and/or quantitative and analytical techniques for managers; and a module on the economy of either China or Japan & Korea.
In Year 2 you will take four half credit modules on corporate finance and finance accounting, international business strategy, international marketing and managerial accounting. On the South Asian side you will take a module on Hindi cinema or literature in translation as the core module; you have the option to continue with language study and/or start a different South Asian language or choose from a range of culture modules related to South Asia in the South Asia Department and in other departments on music, politics, economics, law, history, and religion.
In Year 3 you will choose two half credit advanced modules on economics and finance in East Asia; an undergraduate dissertation (ISP) of 10,000 words on a topic of your choice related to management and/or finance in South Asia. On the South Asian side you choose one language or culture module at intermediate or advanced level (alternatively, you can do an Independent Study Project that gives you the opportunity to pursue a topic of personal interest in language, literature, politics, culture, religion, the arts and media, or any other aspect of contemporary or historical India, leading to the writing of a 10,000 - word dissertation under tutorial supervision ); furthermore, you take a module with a regional focus (on Pakistan, Nepal or Bengal).
Introductory language modules taught in Year 1 assume no previous knowledge of the chosen language or its script: they start completely from scratch. Modules in modern languages concentrate on all four linguistic skills – understanding, speaking, reading and writing; classes are small and interactive, with students being encouraged to use the language actively from the outset. There is usually a 40/60 balance between coursework and exam in language modules. Many of our introductory language modules have been written especially for our needs by members of the Department staff; and Intermediate and advanced language modules feature a wide range of ‘real world’ teaching and study materials.
Students with a more specific interest in South Asian languages are encouraged to apply or transfer to the BA South Asian Studies and International Management (4 years), which includes language pathways and a year abroad of intensive language -learning in the third year.
Year 1
Core Module (Year 1)
Optional Modules
Students choose a language module from List A OR modules to the value of 30 credits from List B
Option 1
Choose from one of the following modules
Option 2
Choose 2 half credit modules from the list below
Year 2
Option 1
Choose modules to the value of 30 credits from the following:
Option 2
Choose a language module or modules from List A OR a module or modules from List C to the value of 30 credits.
Option 3
Choose modules to the value of 30 credits from the following:
Year 3
Option 1
Choose a language module from List A at intermediate or advanced level OR a module from List C OR an Independent Study Project in South Asian Studies
Option 2
Choose 30 credits from the following:
Independent Study Project
All students must take the Independent Study Project in International Management
Option 3
Choose 2 half credit modules from the following:
List A: South Asian Language Modules
The list below indicates the pathway along which students can progress as they do their South Asian language modules. Students may not take more than one language module at elementary level in any given year. Passing of the intermediate level module (or its equivalent) in Bengali OR Hindi OR Nepali OR Sanskrit OR Urdu is a prerequisite for admission to the Year Abroad.
Elementary level
Intermediate level
Advanced level
List B: Introductory Modules on Aspects of South Asian History and Culture
List C: Non-Language-Based South Asian and South Asian-Related Modules
Some modules require successful attendance of a relevant introductory module; students are advised to check the relevant module descriptions for prerequisites and consult the relevant module convenor before selecting modules.
Department of the Languages and Cultures of South Asia
School of Law
Department of Politics and International Studies
Department of History
Department of Art and Archaeology
Department of the Study of Religions
Department of Economics
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.
Year abroad
There is no year abroad for this programme. There is a BA South Asian Studies and International Management (4 years) which includes a year abroad.
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.
Teaching and Assessment
Language teaching is mostly in small tutorial groups; tapes and language laboratory facilities are available for formal teaching and self-study. Non-language modules are taught by lecture and seminar. Language classes are examined by written and oral examination; non-language classes are examined by essays and written examination.
Special Features
SOAS library, the national library for Asian and African materials, is one of the world’s major collections of information in the field of South Asian studies.
Our BA South Asian Studies and International Management (3 years) prepares you for a career in management and finance in or with South Asia. As the economies of South Asia continue to expand, a knowledge of language and culture will be more and more of an asset in the world of commerce and international trade. Other career paths of our graduates include international development and aid agencies, print journalism and media, local, national and international government agencies, overseas companies, teaching, law, librarianship, arts administration. Many of our graduates choose to pursue Masters programmes that either focus on particular aspects of South Asia, or are linked to professional qualifications in law, development, media, etc.
For more information about Graduate Destinations from this department, please visit the Careers Service website.
A Student's Perspective
The most lucrative resource has been the SOAS library which has an excellent South Asia collection. Also, the central London location of SOAS means I never really go far for anything!
Akhil Katyal
