SOAS is the only University in the UK where you can study South Asian languages (Bengali, Hindi, Nepali, Sanskrit, Urdu) as part of your BA degree, and combine in-depth language learning with training in a discipline that will also include modules focusing on your area of choice. 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. You will also 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.

Our BA South Asian Studies and… (4 years) transforms your interest in South Asia into a serious degree, combining extensive knowledge in the area, solid linguistic skills, training in a discipline, and a host of much-valued transferrable skills. The 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.

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. 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.

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.

Programme Code: See "Combinations"

Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings

Start of programme: September

Mode of Attendance: Full-time

May be combined with:

• Development Studies TL38 BA/SASDVS
• Economics TL3C BA/SASEC
• English* QT33 BA/ESAS
• History TV31 BA/SASH
• History of Art/Archaeology TV3H BA/HAASAS
• International Relations LTG3 BA/IRSASt
• Law TM3C BA/SASLW
• Linguistics TQ3C BA/LGSAS
• Music TW33 BA/SASMS
• Politics TL3F BA/SASPOL
• Social Anthropology TLH6 BA/SASSA
• Study of Religions TL33 BA/SASSR
• World Philosophies T305 BA/SASWPYA

* Combined with named language pathways only.

Key Information Set data

Click on a combined programme to load KIS data

Language Pathways Available

• Hindi overseen by Mr Naresh Sharma
• Sanskrit overseen by Dr Lidia Wojtczak
• Urdu overseen by Mr Naresh Sharma

Students take the equivalent of 120 credits each year, with at least 150 credits of completed modules in the first subject and 120 credits in the second subject. The third Year Abroad counts as 120 credits.

Key Information

The information for BA, BSc, or LLB programmes refer to data taken from the single subject degrees offered at SOAS; however, due to the unique nature of our programmes many subjects have a separate set of data when they are studied alongside another discipline.  In order to get a full picture of their chosen subject(s) applicants are advised to look at both sets of information where these occur.

Year 1

Core Language Module (Year 1)

Choose a South Asian Language pathway (Hindi, Sanskrit or Urdu) at the appropriate level to the value of 30 credits.

Compulsory Module (Year 1)

Plus

Compulsory Modules (Year 1)

Choose a 15 credit module from 'List B' PLUS choose modules to the value of 60 credits in your second subject.

Year 2

Core Language Module (Year 2)

Choose a continuation of the South Asian language pathway chosen in Year 1 to the value of 30 credits.

Compulsory Module (Year 2)

Plus

Choose one of the following 15 credit core modules below

OR

Choose a Sanskrit module at intermediate level to the value of '30 credits' as your core module

Compulsory Modules (Year 2)

Choose modules to the value of '60 credits' in your second subject

Year 3

Students spend their 3rd Year abroad. See the Teaching & Learning tab for more details.

Year 4

Compulsory Language Module (Year 4)

Choose advanced level modules to the value of 30 credits in the South Asian language pathway chosen in Year 1 (Bengali/Hindi/Nepali/ Sanskrit/Urdu) from 'List A'

Guided Options (Year 4)

Guided Options are modules that may be preferable for the learning outcomes of this degree programme. Choose the extended essay below PLUS a module to the value of 15 credits from 'List A' or 'List C'

OR

Choose a further South Asian Language (Bengali/Hindi/Nepali/Sanskrit/Urdu) module at the appropriate level from 'List A' to the value of 30 credits OR modules to the value of 30 credits from 'List C'

Plus

Choose modules to the value of 30 credits in your second subject

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 pre-requisite for admission to the Year Abroad.

Elementary level

Intermediate level

Advanced level

List B Introductory courses 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

Final year only:

School of Law

Department of Politics and International Studies

Department of English

Department of History

Department of Art and Archaeology

Department of Music

Department of the Study of Religions

Department of Economics

Programme Specification

• BA South Asian Studies and... 4 year programme specification 2019/20 (pdf; 121kb)

Important notice

Year abroad

Year 3 is spent attending an intensive language module in India, Nepal or Bangladesh, with plenty of opportunities to volunteer for local NGOs (valuable work experience) and planning and collecting material for the Independent Study Project in year 4.

Please note, the Year Abroad Urdu language programme is taught in Lucknow, India. Students will only be able to attend the Year Abroad if they are able to acquire a visa for India.

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.

As a student specialising in the languages and cultures of South Asia, you will gain 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 and culture (which can include literature, film, music, art and religion) of various parts of South Asia. 

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 in both business and 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.

Choosing to study a joint degree programme will increase the breadth of your knowledge, and will develop additional skills with which to further your studies of South Asia, or to make comparative study with other areas. South Asian Studies may be combined with a huge range of other disciplines. For more information on the extra skills you will gain from your second subject, please see the relevant departmental page. 

For more information about Graduate Destinations from this department, please visit the Careers Service website.