Please note this programme is not accepting applications for 2019/20
SOAS is the only University in the UK where you can combine the study of management with the study of the language and culture of South Asia as part of your BA degree.
The four-year degree gives you the unique opportunity of spending the third year attending an intensive language programme in India, Nepal or Bangladesh and experiencing life and study in South Asia in what is a unique life experience.
At SOAS, on the management side you will study general modules on accounting, business, management and marketing that will include concrete examples from Asia, advanced modules on economy and finance in East Asia, and you will be able to focus on finance and management of South Asia in your essays and final dissertation.
On the South Asian side you will be able be able to choose from a range of exciting modules on the culture and society of South Asia, including unique modules in cinema, literature, art, music, religion, history, politics, law, economics and anthropology. We offer the widest range of culture modules on South Asia, both at introductory and specialist levels.
If you choose to study languages, in Bengali, Hindi, Nepali, Sanskrit and Urdu (‘pathway languages’) we offer language modules at beginner, intermediate and advanced level. We also offer modules that use the language skills you acquire to gain access to the present and past culture of South Asia through written and audio-visual texts.
Pali and Punjabi may also be available, but in a more limited range of modules.
Programme Code: TND2 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:
- 4 Years
BA South Asian Studies and International Management as a 4-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.
The first year features the core modules South Asian Culture, a module surveying the cultural history of South Asia; a language module or an introductory module on the art, religion or history of South Asia; 2 half module 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 modules on corporate finance and finance accounting, international business strategy, international marketing and managerial accounting. For your other two modules you continue language work in the pathway language of choice (core) in combination with an intermediary module relevant to that language
Year 3 is spent attending an intensive language module in India, Nepal or Bangladesh, with opportunities to liaise with local and international companies and to collect material for the Independent Study Project in year 4.
In Year 4 you will choose two half module 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; and two further modules of intermediate or advanced language and/or culture modules on South Asia.
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.
Year 1
Core Module (Year 1)
Option 1
Students choose a language module to the value of 30 credits from List A.
Option 2
Choose two 15 credit modules from the following:
Year 2
Option 1
Students choose a language module to the value of 30 credits from List A.
Option 2
Students choose a further language module to the value of 30 credits from List A or advanced level OR a module from List C:
Option 3
Choose modules to the value of 30 credits from the following:
Year 3
Depending on their language pathway, students will spend the whole academic year in India (Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit), Nepal (Nepali) or Bangladesh (Bengali). There students are expected to attend an intensive language module at an appointed institution and are required to sit local examinations.
Year 4
Option 1
Students choose a language module to the value of 30 credits from List A.
Option 2
A further language module to the value of 30 credits from List A at intermediate or advanced level OR a module from List C
Independent Study Project
All students must take the Independent Study Project in International Management
Option 3
Choose two 15 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
Yes
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 (4 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
People come here to pursue things they’re passionate about and the sheer diversity of the student body is also another reason why school life is so fascinating
Ross Adkin
