The MA in South Asian Studies provides exceptional opportunities for advanced study of one of the world’s most diverse and important regions.
Students can choose to concentrate on pre-modern or modern South Asia and can acquire a basic knowledge of one of the area’s languages.
The degree provides a wide-ranging interdisciplinary analysis of the South Asian countries – India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. Disciplines available include Politics, Economics,Anthropology, Law and History.
The programme attracts students from a variety of backgrounds. While some wish to broaden their previous studies or experience of South Asia, others approach the programme without having a South Asian element to their first degree, but with a desire to focus their previous training on the region.
Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings
Start of programme: September
Mode of Attendance: Full-time or Part-time
Entry requirements
- Minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent)
- duration:
- One calendar year (full-time);
Two or three years (part-time, daytime only)
Degree programmes at SOAS - including this one - can include language courses in more than forty African and Asian languages. It is SOAS students’ command of an African or Asian language which sets SOAS apart from other universities.
Students take 180 credits, 60 of which are a dissertation and a 120 from taught modules. A maximum of 60 credits can be taken from one discipline and a minimum of three disciplines must be covered. For students opting to take two language acquisition modules, only one of these can be from an introductory level.
Some disciplines, such as Politics, Economics or Social Anthropology, require an appropriate qualification (such as part of a first degree) if any of their modules are to be taken as the major subject.
*All modules are subject to availability
Dissertation
Taught Component
A maximum of 60 credits can be taken from one discipline and a minimum of three disciplines must be covered. For students opting to take two language acquisition modules, only one of these can be from an introductory level.
Core Modules
Students will take 30 credits from the major options in the list below
Guided Options
Students will take 60 credits from the minor options in the list below
Compulsory Modules
Students will choose a final 30 credits from the list below
Anthropology (minor only)
Art and Archaeology
Cinema
Culture
Economics
Some background in Economics is a prerequisite for these modules. Please contact the convenor for details.
History
Language [up to 30 credits as a minor only; additional language may exceptionally be taken, but only one at beginner's level]
Literature
Music
Politics & International Studies
Study of Religions & Philosophies
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.
Teaching & Learning
Contact Hours
One-year Masters programmes consist of 180 credits. 120 credits are taught in modules of 30 credits (taught over 20 weeks) or 15 credits (taught over 10 weeks); the dissertation makes up the remaining 60 units. 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, including reading and research, preparing coursework and revising for examinations. 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. At SOAS, most postgraduate modules have a one hour lecture and a one hour seminar every week, but this does vary.
More information is on the page for each module.
Knowledge
- How to assess data and evidence critically from printed and digital sources, solve problems of conflicting sources and interpretations, locate materials, use research sources (particularly research library catalogues) and other relevant traditional sources.
- Subject specific skills, for instance familiarity with a South Asian language and the ability to read texts in that language, or advanced study of a South Asian literature in its original language.
- Aspects of South Asian history, economics, political, management and legal systems, art and archaeology, literature, visual and popular culture, anthropology and music.
Intellectual (thinking) skills
- Students should become precise and cautious in their assessment of evidence.
- Students should question interpretations, however authoritative, and reassess evidence for themselves
- Apply language learning skills to new linguistic challenges, or to new oral or written texts.
Subject-based practical skills
- Communicate effectively in writing.
- Retrieve, sift and select information from a variety of sources.
- Present seminar papers.
- Participate constructively in the discussion of ideas introduced during seminars.
- Work to strict deadlines.
- Use and apply foreign language skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Transferrable skills
The programme will encourage students to:
- Write good essays and dissertations
- Structure and communicate ideas effectively both orally and in writing
- Understand unconventional ideas
- Study a variety of written and digital materials, in libraries and research institutes of a kind they will not have used as undergraduates
- Present (non – assessed) material orally
- Communicate in a foreign language
A postgraduate degree in South Asian studies from SOAS provides its students with 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.
Postgraduate students are equipped with linguistic and cultural expertise enabling them to continue in the field of research, along with a portfolio of widely transferable skills which employers seek in many professional and management careers in business, public or charity sectors. 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.
An MA in South Asian Area Studies can open many doors. Those remaining in London will be able to take advantage of the numerous international bodies here, and those with specialist areas of knowledge (finance, law, art) will find relevant opportunities. Many students may choose to pursue a career in South Asia to put their skills into practice. Research degrees are also possibilities for graduates with high grades.
Among a variety of professions, career paths may include: Academia; Commerce; Community; Finance; Government; NGOs; Media; Politics; and UN Agencies.
Graduates have gone on to work for a range of organisations including:
Access to Justice Asia
BBC World Service
Cambridge Archaeological Unit
EMMA Media
Environmental Defense Fund
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
Foremarke Exhibitions Ltd |
Harvard University
Meyado Private Wealth Management
Mohurgong & Gulma Tea Estates
Momoyama Gakuin University
Neon Tree Media
SOAS, University of London
University of Edinburgh |
Types of roles that graduates have gone on to do include:
Interpreter and Translator
Consulting Associate
Senior Major Gifts Officer
Trade Commissioner
Digital designer
Human Resources Director
Professor of Comparative Religion & Indian Studies
Librarian |
Chaplain
Senior Investment Advisor
Script Writer and Coordinator
Humanitarian and CSR photographer
Professor of Musicology
Head of Humanities
Research Fellow
Lecturer in South Asian History |
For more information about Graduate Destinations from this department, please visit the Careers Service website.
A Student's Perspective
I feel that the thorough and systematic teaching provided by SOAS has given me not only a good knowledge of Sanskrit but also skills in critical thought, linguistic and socio-political analysis and communication that will give me something unique to offer to a graduate employer.
Andrew Werner