SOAS University of London

Duration: One calendar year (full-time); Two or three years (part-time, daytime only)

Minimum Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent), usually in Music

Start of programme: September intake only

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

Theoretical and practical grounding in the discipline of ethnomusicology, as well as the opportunity to develop performance and ethnographic skills, regional expertise, and a deeper understanding of global music – just some of what you can expect to develop on the MMus Ethnomusicology. This programme is tailored for musicians and musicologists, anthropologists, teachers and composers, as well as those dedicated to developing an in-depth knowledge of a specific music tradition.... [-]

Duration: Full time: 1 calendar year. Part-time: 2/3 calendar years.

Minimum Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent), usually in Music

Start of programme: September intake only

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

This programme is designed for students who wish to specialise in performance while studying for an academic degree. Students have the unique opportunity to develop performance in specific Asian and African music traditions to a professional standard. They acquire expert knowledge about performance and the geographical or stylistic region of their performance specialism.

The performance component of the programme, in which students choose an Asian or African performance tradition, includes practice-based research. Students study the music of a particular region alongside performance theory training. Through a range of optional modules, they pursue additional interests as well.... [-]

Duration: One calendar year (full-time) Two calendar years (part-time)

Subjects Preferred: Minimum first degree with good grades in any subject equivalent to a UK upper second class honours

Start of programme: September

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

The MRes in Finance and Management degree at SOAS is unique in two respects. First, it combines a broad-based training in quantitative and qualitative research methods used in financial and management studies. Secondly, due to the research background of academics at SOAS and their regional expertise, the qualitative and quantitative research methods introduced can be applied in the context of developing and emerging economies.... [-]

Duration: One calendar year

Minimum Entry Requirements: The qualification for entry is normally a first or upper-second class honors degree (or equivalent) in law or the social sciences, and preferably a demonstrable interest in research and research methods. Work and other experience may be taken into account. Students whose first degree is not the law will be required to take the Preliminary Law, Legal Reasoning, and Legal Methods module.

Start of programme: September intake only

Mode of Attendance: Full-Time

The MRes in Law aims to provide students with advanced skills in legal research, the ability to undertake high level analysis of law and legal issues with a focus on areas of research specific to the School of Law at SOAS, a grasp of the research methods that underpin the discipline and its place in the humanities and the social sciences, a grounding in legal research methods, and the ethics of legal research. The MRes in Law is especially suited to candidates who wish to undertake a Ph.D. or professional research in law. It prepares students to undertake high-quality research.... [-]

Duration: Two calendar years (full-time).

Entry Requirements: The qualification for entry is normally a first or upper-second class honours degree (or equivalent).

The MRes Politics with [Language] is a two-year degree programme designed to prepare students for further research, particularly PhD research, in politics with an area specialism. It allows students to combine the study of politics with advanced methodological training in the social sciences and extensive study in an African/Asian/Middle Eastern language. As such, the programme provides two years of intensive language study at SOAS (e.g. Arabic, Chinese, Swahili, etc.) along with two years of high-level social science methodology training at neighbouring Birkbeck College. Applicants are also invited to apply for ESRC funding to support a 2+3 programme of MRes/PhD study.... [-]

Start of programme: September

Mode of Attendance: Full-time

The MPhil/PhD in Gender Studies is a unique programme combining cutting-edge theorizing in Gender Studies with the special area's expertise related to Africa, Asia and the Middle East which has been a trademark of SOAS. The Centre for Gender Studies welcomes applications from research students for our MPhil/PhD programme in all areas of Gender Studies. The Centre places its emphasis on the acquisition of critical theoretical skills and in-depth regional knowledge across disciplines with specific reference to Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Members of the Centre and current research students work on an exceptionally wide range of topics, both theoretical and empirical. Supervision for research students can be provided across this wide range. The Centre houses a training programme in Gender Studies for research students the work of which is supported by the organization of regular Centre seminars.... [-]

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

SOAS has an international reputation for excellence in the field of South Asian studies earned by the world-leading research undertaken. REF 2014 submissions by members of the Department included significant and paradigm-shifting monographs, edited collections, journal articles and book chapters on literature, cinema cultural history, and postcolonial studies. The Department has two ERC grants: Francesca Orsini for the comparative study of the multilingual literary histories of North India, the Maghreb, and the Horn of Africa; while James Mallinson has one entitled “The Hatha Yoga Project: Mapping traditions of transnational physical yoga practice through philology and ethnography”. Amina Yaqin’s current research projects include a collaboration with the Centre for the Study of Pakistan and the University of East London for the ‘Muslims, Trust and Cultural Dialogue’ research project funded by the RCUK. This follows on from an earlier AHRC funded international research network, ‘Framing Muslims’. Rachel Dwyer is CI on an AHRC funded International Network with the University of Leeds: Soft Power, Cinema, and the BRICS.... [-]

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

The Department offers the widest coverage in Europe of research and teaching related to the languages and cultures of the principal countries of South East Asia. Its primary commitment is to the four languages Burmese, Indonesian/Malay, Thai and Vietnamese, and their works of literature, cinemas, and associated cultures. REF 2014 submissions by members of the Department included significant and paradigm-shifting monographs, edited collections, journal articles and book chapters in cinema and gender, literary criticism, cultural history and postcolonial studies. It is a flourishing and friendly Department with close links to recent alumni.... [-]

Duration: Full time: 2 years. Part-time: 4 years.

Minimum Entry Requirements: SOAS has general minimum entrance requirements for registration for a postgraduate taught degree and these can be viewed at http://www.soas.ac.uk/admissions/pg/howtoapply/ Students wishing to take certain options as their Major will normally be expected to have their 1st degree in that discipline. This applies to those wishing to have their Major in Social Anthropology, Economics, Politics (of the Middle East), and Law.

The two-year language pathway is directed at students who want to engage with the Arab Middle East in a professional as well as academic way, as the intensive language course would enable them to reach a near proficient knowledge of the language.... [-]

Duration: 2 yr pathway: full time (2 years) or part-time (4 years).

The two-year language pathway is directed at students with a professional and academic interest in Japan. The intensive training in the Japanese language aims at supporting students’ ability to tackle their disciplinary interests by engaging with written texts and in oral communication in Japanese.

Your chosen discipline is combined with intensive Japanese language over two years (including a period in Japan), making this programme unique in Europe.

Access to the Japanese language pathway is currently available for students with

Duration: Full time: 2 years Part time: 4 years

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

In the two-year language pathway, students take 60 credits of intensive language and 60 credits in their discipline, in the first year. During the summer, they participate in a summer school abroad (45 credits). Upon their return, in the second year, they take 30 credits of an intensive language module and 60 credits of discipline modules. They also choose a dissertation topic within their Major (60 credits).

Students must pass all of the language modules in order to qualify for the degree with Intensive Korean.

Duration: full time (2 years) or part-time (4 years)

Start of programme: September 2018

Mode of Attendance: Full-Time or Part-Time

The two-year language pathway is directed at students who want to engage with South East Asia in a professional as well as academic way, as the intensive language module would enable them to reach a good level of proficiency in one of the four languages; Burmese, Indonesian, Thai or Vietnamese. The summer between the first and second year of study is spent in the region following an intensive language module.

In the two-year pathway, students can take intensive South East Asian language with either MA South East Asian Studies, MA History, MA Religions of Asian and Africa, MA Medical Anthropology, MA Anthropological Research Methods, MA Migration and Diaspora Studies.... [-]

Duration: full time (2 years) or part-time (4 years)

Start of programme: September 2018

Mode of Attendance: Full-Time or Part-Time

This two-year programme will provide students with the opportunity to combine Masters’ level training with intensive study of an African language (Swahili) in order to acquire the skills necessary for future professional or research careers. The programme will enable students to engage with the subject of their Masters’ programme in Africa through an African language, to engage with sources and data in an African language and to conduct research and professional work in Africa.... [-]

Duration: MA: One calendar year (full-time). Two or three years (part-time). PGDip: One academic year (full-time). Two academic years part-time).

Entry Requirements: A minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent). We welcome applications from academically strong individuals from a wide variety of fields and backgrounds. It is not always necessary to have a first degree in a discipline directly related to the programme.

Start of programme: September intake only.

Mode of Attendance: Full-Time or Part-Time.

The MA/PGDip International Studies and Diplomacy (ISD) programme is designed for those engaged in, or planning to embark upon, a professional career requiring international expertise in government, not-for-profit, corporate or academic environments.... [-]

Duration: 2 Year Full Time

Start of programme: September

Mode of Attendance: Full-time

The two-year MA Advanced Chinese Studies offers comprehensive language-based training across a wide range of disciplines in the humanities and social sciences.

Students on the programme take four taught modules at SOAS during their first year, including team-taught core modules provided by a range of SOAS China experts. In addition, students take a text-reading seminar, allowing them to integrate their Chinese reading skills into their disciplinary studies, or an approved language-based module. Further modules can be selected from available disciplines including Anthropology, Art and Archaeology, Cinema, Cultural and Regional Studies, Economics, History, Law, Literature, Music, Politics, and Study of Religions.... [-]

Duration: One calendar year (full-time); Two or three years (part-time, daytime only)

Minimum Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent)

Start of programme: September intake only

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

The MA in African Studies provides an unrivalled programme of advanced modules on Africa; one of the world’s most fascinating and challenging regions. The opportunity for interdisciplinary study of the continent is a particular advantage of the degree. Our former students have chosen to study Africa at this level for a wide range of reasons. For some, a deep interest in the history and culture or political economy of a particular region is sufficient motivation, but for many students, the programme has, in addition, be followed with the intention of furthering their career opportunities. Some go on to work either in Africa or in fields related to Africa. The opportunity to combine the study of particular African subjects with an African language is very useful, although some evidence of competence in learning a foreign language is usually required.... [-]

Duration: One calendar year (full-time); Two or three years (part-time, daytime only)

Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent)

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

The MA African Studies (Literature Pathway) enables students to engage critically with varied aspects of oral and written literature in Africa. The programme is unique in the way it encourages exploration of relationships between indigenous African aesthetics and contemporary literary theories. The module ‘Theories and Techniques of Comparative Literature’ provides theoretical and methodological skills while the programme’s other units focus on specific areas such as literature in African languages and contemporary African literature in English.... [-]

Programme Code: Q9S1

Duration: Two or three years (part-time, daytime only)

Minimum Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent) plus knowledge of Akkadian. NB: Due to its part-time nature, this programme is currently not available to students requiring a Tier 4 visa

Interview Policy: Candidates will normally be interviewed

Start of programme: September intake only

The SOAS MA in Ancient Near Eastern Languages offers an intensive programme of text-reading and language-learning for those who already have a good knowledge of the Akkadian language - usually at least two years' experience - as well as those who are starting the language for the first time. The degree is intended to widen the student's experience in the vast legacy of written documentation in Akkadian and other languages from ancient Mesopotamia and Anatolia, or to provide an intensive introduction to these. The programme is tailor-made to serve as an intermediate level between SOAS's three-year BA in Ancient Near Eastern Studies (or an equivalent qualification) and postgraduate Assyriological research at the level of MPhil and PhD. It can, of course, be taken for its own sake.... [-]

Duration: 1 year full-time or 2/3 years part-time. The expectation in the UK is of continuous study across the year, with break periods used to read and to prepare coursework.

Minimum Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent) in Social Anthropology. This Master is designed for students wishing to pursue a PhD in Social Anthropology. Exceptionally this course may be taken as a conversion MA. Students who would like to take this path must demonstrate the regional and language expertise necessary for continuing onto a PhD.

Start of programme: September.

Mode of Attendance: Full-Time or Part-Time.

Duration: 2 years full-time or 4 years part-time. The expectation in the UK is of continuous study across the year, with break periods used to read and to prepare coursework.

Minimum Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent) in Social Anthropology or a taught Masters degree in social anthropology. This Master is designed for students wishing to pursue a PhD in Social Anthropology. Exceptionally this course may be taken as a conversion MA. Students who would like to take this path must demonstrate a solid grounding in the discipline as well as the regional and language expertise necessary for continuing onto a PhD.... [-]

Duration: 2 years

Entry Requirements: Applicants will need to produce documented evidence of language learning ability (a language A level or equivalent, or successful completion of an undergraduate language course).

Start of programme: September.

Mode of Attendance: Full-time.

This is the only Masters-level programme offered anywhere in the world that provides students who intend to proceed to conduct anthropological research (broadly defined) in Nepal with the necessary skills (disciplinary, linguistic, methodological).... [-]

Duration: One calendar year (full-time); two or three years (part-time, daytime only). The expectation in the UK is of continuous study across the year, with break periods used to read and to prepare coursework.

Minimum Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class BA degree (or equivalent) in the humanities, social sciences or natural sciences, or significant experience in a relevant food- and/or agriculture-related career

Food is a fundamental human necessity, essential to the sustenance of the human body. At the same time, food may be associated with pleasure, passion, even luxury. Food is also essential to the social body. Who eats what, who eats with whom, and whose appetites are satisfied and whose denied, are all profoundly social dynamics through which identities, relationships, and hierarchies are created and reproduced.... [-]

Please note that this degree will NOT be running in 2018/19

Duration:

One calendar year (full-time).

Two or three years (part-time, daytime only).

We recommend that part-time students have between two and a half and three days free in the week to pursue their course of study. The expectation in the UK is of continuous study across the year, with break periods used to read and to prepare coursework.

Minimum Entry Requirements: The minimum of an upper second-class BA degree (or equivalent). Some exceptions are made for those with significant experience in a relevant media related career.

Start of programme: September intake only.... [-]

Please note that this degree will NOT be running in 2018/19

Duration: One calendar year (full-time) Two or three years (part-time, daytime only) We recommend that part-time students have between two and a half and three days free in the week to pursue their course of study. The expectation in the UK is of continuous study across the year, with break periods used to read and to prepare coursework.

Entry Requirements: The minimum of an upper second-class BA degree (or equivalent). Some exceptions are made for those with significant experience in a relevant media related career.

Start of programme: September intake only.

Please note that this degree will NOT be running in 2018/19

Duration: 1 year full-time or 2-3 years part-time.

Minimum Entry Requirements: Upper second class honours degree (or equivalent, e.g. 3.3 GPA or higher); other strong qualifications may be taken into account. Please note that admissions are suspended for 2017-18. Admissions for 2018-19 will resume in autumn 2017.

Start of programme: September intake only

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

The degree is suitable for students with an interest in anthropological approaches to diverse aspects of tourism as a cultural force in the contemporary world, from sustainable development to cultural heritage. Our students come from all over the world, following BA study, a masters degree in another field, or work and travel experience. This combination of diverse backgrounds and skills creates a uniquely stimulating intellectual environment. Many of our graduates go on to a PhD; others pursue careers in research and consulting; NGOs; museums and other cultural institutions; travel-writing; alternative tourism enterprises; and government agencies.... [-]

Please note that this MA has now been replaced by MA Applied Linguistics and Language Pedagogy (ALLP).

Duration: One calendar year (full-time), or two or three years (part-time, daytime only)

Entry Requirement: First or upper second-class honors degree or overseas equivalent in Arabic or another relevant subject with good knowledge of Arabic

Interview Policy: Interviews by arrangement

Start of programme: September intake only

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

This taught-Masters degree offers a deep insight into the Arab world through its works of literature. It is an advanced programme designed for students with a good first degree in Arabic or with a good university degree who also know Arabic. The fundamental objective is to make Arabic culture and literature accessible to a wider body of postgraduate students and to provide them with training in the study of literature. Students develop an advanced understanding of Arabic literature and gain detailed knowledge of its past and present. The syllabus combines the literary approaches of comparative literature with the in-depth study of Arabic literature. Students have the opportunity to become familiar with, among other things, literary theory, translation techniques, the sociology of literature, the social and political dimensions of modern Arabic literature, and different genres and themes of classical, medieval and modern Arabic literature.... [-]

Entry requirements: The normal qualification for admission to the MA programme is an upper second class honours degree. Other qualifications, however, may be acceptable and the School of Arts welcomes mature students. Students taking the MA degree may or may not have previous experience of our subjects. While knowledge of a relevant Asian or African language is not a requirement, for some modules it is an advantage for admission (see individual module descriptions for details). It is possible to include an element of language training within the MA programme by taking an Asian or African language as one of the two ‘minor’ modules. This option may be particularly desirable for those intending to progress to the PhD, who do not already have the necessary language skills.... [-]

Duration:

Full-time: 1 calendar year. Part-time: 2 or 3 calendar years.

We recommend that part-time students have between two and a half and three days free in the week to pursue their course of study.

Mode of Attendance: Full-Time or Part-Time

The MA Buddhist Studies suits students with different academic backgrounds and prospective personal objectives, from those interested in broadening their knowledge of Buddhism as a whole or of specific Buddhist traditions to those intending to embark on language-based research or fieldwork among Buddhist communities.

It typically suits:

Duration: One calendar year (full-time); Two or three years (part-time, daytime only)

Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent)

Start of programme: September intake only

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

Students who take this degree come from many countries and have a wide variety of academic backgrounds. While some wish to broaden their previous studies or experience of China, others approach the course without having a Chinese element to their first degree, but with a desire to focus their previous training on the region.

The MA Chinese Studies provides an exceptional opportunity to take advantage of the wide range of disciplinary approaches to the study of Chinese societies available at SOAS. The main emphasis is on modern and contemporary China, although it is also possible to study aspects of pre-Modern China.In addition to the courses on offer, students develop their own particular area of specialisation by writing a dissertation in their major discipline.... [-]

Duration: One calendar year (full-time); Two or three years (part-time, daytime only).

Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honors degree (or equivalent). Incoming students will be expected to have completed at least the equivalent of two years of undergraduate Chinese language study.

Start of programme: September

Mode of Attendance: Full-time or Part-time

This programme enables students to engage critically with the varied aspects of Chinese literature.

This programme covers both pre-modern and modern literature of China. It includes the study of literary works written in the original languages, as well as an introduction to literary theory.... [-]

Duration: One calendar year (full-time). Two or three years (part-time, daytime only) We recommend that part-time students have between two-and-a-half and three days a week free to pursue their course of study.

Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent)

Start of programme: September intake only

Mode of Attendance: Full-Time or Part-Time

The opportunity to move from the familiar Euro-American literary canons into the fresh but less well-known worlds of African and Asian literature is what attracts most students to this popular MA.

At SOAS, students benefit from the unique expertise in this vast field possessed by the school’s faculty.... [-]

Duration: One year (full-time). Two or three years (part-time, daytime only).

Entry Requirements: The normal qualification for admission to the MA programme is an upper second class honours degree. Other qualifications, however, may be acceptable and the Department welcomes mature students. Students taking the MA degree may or may not have previous experience of our subjects. While knowledge of a relevant Asian or African language is not a requirement, for some modules it is an advantage for admission (see individual module descriptions for details). It is possible to include an element of language training within the MA programme by taking an Asian or African language as one of the two ‘minor’ modules. This option may be particularly desirable for those intending to progress to the PhD, who do not already have the necessary language skills.... [-]

Duration: 1 Year Full-Time, 2 or 3 Years Part-Time

Minimum Entry Requirements: Minimum - Upper second class honours degree (or equivalent)

Start of programme: September intake only

Mode of Attendance: Full-Time or Part-Time

This is the unique Masters-level programme offered that specifically addresses Critical Media and Cultural Studies of the non-Western world. The degree introduces students to the key contemporary issues discussed in Asian and African media and provides them with the opportunity to engage directly in research on an aspect of these media. It has a strong theoretical element, equipping students with the intellectual tools to consider the production, distribution and reception of non-Western media in new ways and to challenge the English-language, Eurocentric approach of most media studies scholarship.... [-]

Programme Code: TBC

Duration: One calendar year (full-time). Two or three years (part-time, daytime only)

Minimum Entry Requirements: Upper second (2:1) UK BA degree in a relevant subject, 3.6 (USA) or equivalent. Relevant professional and activist experience will be taken into account.

Start of programme: September intake only

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

The MA Gender and Sexuality at SOAS aims to cater for students with a variety of backgrounds and objectives:

Duration: One calendar year (full-time). Two or three years (part-time, daytime only).

Minimum Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class (2.1) or above honours degree (or equivalent)

Start of programme: September intake only

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

SOAS MA in Gender Studies is unique in that it refocuses issues of Western Gender Studies on the complex specificities of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Drawing on the expertise of staff across all SOAS faculties, it offers the specialised study of gender in relation to Asian, African and Middle Eastern cultures, together with rigorous training in and questioning of contemporary gender theory.... [-]

Programme Code: PGTF0038/PGTP0057/PGTP0058

Duration: One calendar year (full-time). Two or three years (part-time, daytime only)

Minimum Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class (II.1) or above honours degree (or equivalent)

Start of programme: September intake only

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

The MA Gender Studies and Law at SOAS caters for students with a variety of backgrounds and objectives:

Duration: Full time: 1 calendar year Part-time: 2 or 3 calendar years. We recommend that part-time students have between two and a half and three days free in the week to pursue their course of study.

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

Over the past decades, the creative and cultural industries have become the focus of a huge amount of research and critical debate. As digitisation transforms the media industries, from music streaming to on-demand TV, there has been an increasing recognition of the economic and cultural value of art, museums, video games and 'heritage'. This programme offers the unique opportunity to critically analyse these developments in a fully global context, across the full range of School of Arts modules in Media, Music and Art and Archaeology.... [-]

Start of programme: September

Mode of Attendance: Full-Time or Part-Time

The emergence of the internet and digital culture has affected all societies, albeit unevenly. This programme explores the global dimensions of digital culture, focusing on digital creativity and practices in the global South. Students are taught to understand the historical development of digital technologies and the internet, exploring their impact and meaning in diverse economic, political and cultural realms. They study contemporary theories of the digital and consider their adequacy for understanding the non-Western world while developing knowledge of a range of research tools for understanding the internet, social media and big data.... [-]

Duration: Full-time: 2 years; Part-time: 4 years

Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent); relevant background in the region of specialism

Start of programme: September

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

Students must complete 255 credits of taught modules in addition to the compulsory dissertation (60 credits).

The programme is tailored for students who wish to proceed to further research on the doctoral level on a topic related to the history of the Near and Middle East, South Asia, South East Asia, East Asia and Africa, but it also makes sense as a stand-alone programme for those who wish to explore a specific topic or question within a shorter period of time.... [-]

Duration: Full-time: 12 months; Part-time: 24 or 36 months

Minimum Entry Requirements: Normally, an Upper Second Class Honours degree of a UK university, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard obtained after a course of study extending over not less than three years in a university (or educational institution of university rank), in History, or a related discipline in the Humanities or Social Sciences.

Start of programme: September intake only

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

The programme is designed for students with a keen interest in studying the remote as well as the more recent past of the countries, peoples, and cultures of Africa, Asia and the Middle East. It is also ideal for students who seek to understand the historical conditions of the contemporary world from a global perspective. While the course is open to students with backgrounds in a diverse range of disciplines in the Humanities and Social Sciences, the ideal applicant would have an UG degree in History or a relevant area studies programme, some knowledge of foreign, in particular Asian or African languages, and preferably relevant background in the region of specialism.... [-]

Duration: 2 years full-time, 4 years part-time

Minimum Entry Requirements: Normally, an Upper Second Class Honours degree of a UK university, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard obtained after a course of study extending over not less than three years in a university (or educational institution of university rank), in History, or a related discipline in the Humanities or Social Sciences.

Start of programme: September

Mode of Attendance: Full-Time or Part-Time

The programme would suit students with a keen interest in learning about the historical conditions of the contemporary world and in particular those who are prepared to look at the world from the perspective of other people and cultures. While the course is open to students from a broad range of backgrounds, the ideal applicant would have a UG degree in History (or a related discipline), some knowledge of foreign, including Asian or African languages, and preferably some relevant background in the region of specialism.... [-]

Duration: One year (full-time). Two or three years (part-time, daytime only)

Minimum Entry Requirements: The normal qualification for admission to the MA programme is an upper second class honours degree. Other qualifications, however, may be acceptable and the Department welcomes mature students. Students taking the MA degree may or may not have previous experience of our subjects. While knowledge of a relevant Asian or African language is not a requirement, for some modules it is an advantage for admission (see individual module descriptions for details).

It is possible to include an element of language training within the MA programme by taking an Asian or African language as one of the two ‘minor’ modules. This option may be particularly desirable for those intending to progress to the PhD, who do not already have the necessary language skills.... [-]

Duration: One year (full-time). Two or three years (part-time, daytime only)

Minimum Entry Requirements: The normal qualification for admission to the MA programme is an upper second class honours degree. Other qualifications, however, may be acceptable and the Department welcomes mature students. Students taking the MA degree may or may not have previous experience of our subjects. While knowledge of a relevant Asian or African language is not a requirement, for some modules it is an advantage for admission (see individual module descriptions for details).

It is possible to include an element of language training within the MA programme by taking an Asian or African language as one of the two ‘minor’ modules. This option may be particularly desirable for those intending to progress to the PhD, who do not already have the necessary language skills.... [-]

Duration: Two years (full-time). Four years (part-time, daytime only)

Entry Requirements: The normal qualification for admission to the MA programme is an upper second class honours degree. Other qualifications, however, may be acceptable and the Department welcomes mature students. Students taking the MA degree may or may not have previous experience of our subjects. The Japanese pathway offers beginner and intermediate entry levels. For further information please see the webpage for the [MA....and Intensive Language Japanese] in the pages of the Japan and Korea department. The Korean pathway is designed for beginner learners of Korean.... [-]

Duration: Two years (full-time), four years (part-time)

Minimum Entry Requirements: The normal qualification for admission to the MA programme is an upper second class honours degree. Other qualifications, however, may be acceptable and the Department welcomes mature students. Students taking the MA degree may or may not have previous experience of our subjects.

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

The Department of the History of Art and Archaeology contains some of the world’s leading experts in the art history and archaeology of the Islamic Middle East, whose ground-breaking research informs and is informed by their teaching. Students benefit from the unparalleled knowledge and enthusiasm of the staff. As members of the School of Arts, they profit from the insights of scholars and students working in other related fields, such as Music, Film and Media in the Middle East and the wider Islamic world. They can also select from courses in other departments, taking advantage of SOAS’s unrivalled expertise in the languages, history, religions and cultures of the Middle East.... [-]

Duration: One year (full-time). Two or three years (part-time, daytime only).

Minimum Entry Requirements: The normal qualification for admission to the MA programme is an upper second class honours degree. Other qualifications, however, may be acceptable and the Department welcomes mature students. Students taking the MA degree may or may not have previous experience of our subjects. While knowledge of a relevant Asian or African language is not a requirement, for some modules it is an advantage for admission (see individual module descriptions for details). It is possible to include an element of language training within the MA programme by taking an Asian or African language as one of the two ‘minor’ modules. This option may be particularly desirable for those intending to progress to the PhD, who do not already have the necessary language skills.... [-]

Duration: Full time - 1 year Part time - 2 or 3 years.

Minimum Entry Requirements: Equivalent of a UK 2:1 degree.

Start of programme: September intake only.

The aim of the programme is to offer grounding in the theories on Cultural Studies which draws on Marxism, Structuralism, Post-Structuralism, Post-Marxism, Feminism, and Post-Modernism and their use, application and adaption in the cross-cultural contexts of Africa, Asia and the Middle East. It provides an examination of the main historical concepts in Western culture such as ideology, power, class, identity, race, nation, subjectivity, representation, and memory and how these are challenged by scholars working in non-Western cultures of Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The aim is to explore the different and plural cultural histories and memories of these contexts to which Cultural Studies must adapt.... [-]

Duration: One year (full-time); Two or three years (part-time, daytime only).

Minimum Entry Requirements: Upper second class honours preferably in a related discipline

Start of programme: September intake only

The MA in Environmental Law and Sustainable Development provides a unique specialisation in a rapidly developing area of law. Environmental law is one of the most challenging fields that has grown very rapidly over the past four decades and is now one of the key areas of both domestic and international law. At SOAS, we understand the environment in a broad sense which includes not only environmental issues strictly speaking but also all the links that they have with other areas such as natural resources, human rights, economic development trade or intellectual property rights. In other words, there is a very direct and close link between environmental law and sustainable development. This is not surprising since sustainable development has been the umbrella concept guiding the development of environmental law since the late 1980s. It remains the central concept around which environmental law and policy are centred (the Rio+20 summit was known as the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development) and around international development, the policy is focused at least until 2030 in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals adopted in 2015.... [-]

Duration: One calendar year (full-time), or two or three years (part-time, daytime only)

Entry Requirements: Minimum Upper Second-class (2.1) honors degree (or equivalent). Overseas students may be asked to provide evidence of meeting English language requirements. Relevant professional and activist experience will be taken into account.

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

The pathway caters for students who would like to obtain a critical lens to the current issues and debates within the study of gender in the Middle East and will appeal to both students who are interested in the relevant academic discussions and those who are interested in political and activist dimensions.... [-]

Duration: 1 Year Full Time, 2 or 3 Years Part Time

Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent)

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

The MA in Global Cinemas and the Transcultural offers students the unique opportunity to study in-depth regional cinemas outside the now standard research topographies, both geographical and theoretical, of mainstream cinema studies, so opening up avenues for advanced research in areas and methodologies as yet untapped. Alternatively, it provides an avenue of study for those simply wishing to obtain a post-graduate qualification in Cinema Studies without being confined to a European- and/or American-centric world-view.The degree is designed around a compulsory core module, Cinema, Nation and the Transcultural, that simultaneously challenges existing critical paradigms defining 'national cinema' in the simplistic terms of geographical zones of production and reception, while offering alternative methodological approaches to the study of cinema within the local/global, inter-cultural contexts of the post-modern world. The elective elements of the degree allow students the opportunity to specialize in one or more of the many regional cinemas on offer in the School: Japanese, Chinese (mainland, Hong Kong & Taiwanese), mainland and maritime South East Asian, Indian, Iranian, Middle Eastern and African). It also enables students to combine specialist film studies knowledge with a minor module in an Asian or African language or to advance their social and cultural knowledge of a given region through an ethnographic module. Alternatively, through our links with University of... [-]

Duration: 1 Year Full Time, 2 or 3 Years Part Time

Minimum Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent)

Start of programme: September intake only

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

This programme focuses on the dynamic developments in media and communications within Asia, Africa and the Middle East. It examines the growing significance of these regions as the locations of new media players and new cultural genres, of complex audience involvements with mediated communication and as the sites of critical and creative responses to globalization processes. It challenges Eurocentric approaches to the study of media and provides a unique opportunity to study the media and communications environments of the non-Western world.... [-]

Duration: Full-time: 12 months; Part-time: 24 or 36 months

Minimum Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent); relevant background in the region of specialism

Start of programme: September intake only

The MA in Historical Research Methods is designed to train students in research skills to the level prescribed by the research training guidelines favoured by UK Research Councils. It is intended for students with a good first degree in history, or who possess a taught Masters degree in history. Most students would be expected to progress to a research degree in history at the end of the degree, but it is also possible to take it as a stand-alone programme.... [-]

Duration: One calendar year (full-time); Two or three years (part-time, daytime only)

Minimum Entry Requirements: Upper second class honours preferably in a related discipline

Start of programme: September intake only

The MA in Human Rights Law allows students to study human rights law, its application and relevance to a broad range of areas and legal issues, including Islamic law, Chinese law, gender, international law, conflict and labour law. All SOAS modules are designed not only to introduce students to the general fields of law, but also to provide an understanding of how generic legal structures and processes may operate in non-Western social and cultural settings. All teachers on modules offered at SOAS are experts in their designated field. Many have years of experience advising governments, international organisations or non-governmental organisation, and many also have been or continue to be legal practitioners.... [-]

Duration: One calendar year (full-time); Two or three years (part-time, daytime only)

Minimum Entry Requirements: Upper second class honours preferably in a related discipline

Start of programme: September intake only

The MA in International Law allows students to study international law and its application in a broad range of legal areas, including commerce, criminal law, humanitarian law, environmental law, and human rights. All SOAS modules are designed not only to introduce students to the general fields of law, but also to provide an understanding of how generic legal structures and processes may operate in non-Western social and cultural settings. All teachers on modules offered at SOAS are experts in their designated field. Many have years of experience advising governments, international organisations or non-governmental organisation, and many also have been or continue to be legal practitioners.... [-]

Minimum Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent)

Start of programme: September intake only

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

Among all universities in Europe and North America SOAS host the biggest concentration of research and teaching staff working on Iranian history, politics, economics, religions, art and archaeology, linguistics, Persian language and literature, media, film, anthropology and music. SOAS has the resources to offer a comprehensive, critical perspective on a variety of aspects of Iranian society and culture and go beyond the contemporary public debates around this country.

The MA in Iranian Studies enables students to critically assess the historical development of Iranian society, economics and culture within the context of the wider West Asian area and to appreciate the complexity of the history and cultural makeup of Iran.... [-]

Duration: One calendar year (full-time); Two or three years (part-time, daytime only)

Minimum Entry Requirements: Upper second class honours preferably in a related discipline

Start of programme: September intake only

The MA in Islamic Law allows students to study Islamic law and its application in a broad range of legal areas, including Islamic jurisprudence, Islamic family law, Law of Islamic finance and human rights, as well as its relationship to society in the Middle East, Asia and Africa. All SOAS modules are designed not only to introduce students to the general fields of law, but also to provide an understanding of how generic legal structures and processes may operate in non-Western social and cultural settings. All teachers on modules offered at SOAS are experts in their designated field. Many have years of experience advising governments, international organisations or non-governmental organisation, and many also have been or continue to be legal practitioners in their specialised fields.... [-]

Duration: One calendar year (Full-Time) Two or three years (Part-Time, daytime only) The expectation in the UK is of continuous study across the year, with break periods used to read and to prepare coursework. We recommend that part-time students have between two and a half and three days free in the week to pursue their course of study.

Minimum Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent)

Start of programme: September only

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

The MA in Migration and Diaspora Studies is a broad-based degree for students who want to receive specialized research training in Migration and Diaspora Studies, including a relevant language, which will prepare them to proceed to advanced postgraduate research in Migration and Diaspora Studies at SOAS or elsewhere.... [-]

Duration: Two Years.

Start of programme: September

Mode of Attendance: Full-Time

The two-year MA Intensive South Asian Studies offers comprehensive language-based training across a wide range of disciplines in the humanities and social sciences.

Students on the programme take 120 credits at SOAS during their first year, of which a language module at an appropriate level in Bengali, Hindi, Nepali or Urdu and the module ‘The Politics of Culture in Contemporary South Asia’ are core. In addition to the two core modules, students must choose modules to the value of 60 credits from the list of options advertised for the MA South Asian Area Studies. The disciplines available include Anthropology, Art and Archaeology, Cinema, Cultural and Regional Studies, Economics, History, Law, Literature, Music, Politics, and Study of Religions.... [-]

Minimum Entry Requirements: Minimum good second class honours degree (or equivalent)

Start of programme: September intake only

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

Understanding journalism is crucial in today’s mediated world. The spread of the Internet, social media and the advent of comparatively cheap communications technology holds out the promise of enabling a more diverse range of actors to shape journalism. The forms and practices involved in such journalism could also enable greater inclusivity, supporting a range of progressive aims such as advocacy, peace, development and greater intercultural understanding. At the same time, widespread cost-cutting in mainstream journalism and the speeded-up journalistic practices used to service multiple delivery platforms threaten to further entrench the norms and definitional advantages of the wealthy and powerful because of their greater ability to subsidize journalism through public relations material.... [-]

Not running 2018-19

Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honours or equivalent.

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

Do you want to enhance your understanding of the cultural, political and economic history of Pakistan? The MA in the Study of Contemporary Pakistan provides a comprehensive and critical approach to Pakistan: its complex and vibrant culture, politics, economics, law, religious history and current trends. SOAS hosts one of the biggest concentration of research and teaching staff who specialise in Pakistan related topics. You will have an opportunity to interact and work closely with them. The Programme of Study will introduce you to the latest research topics, methods and debates in the field. It will prepare you to critically assess the diverse complexities of one of the most reported on countries in the world.... [-]

Duration: One calendar year (full-time), or two or three years (part-time, daytime only)

Minimum Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent)

Subjects Preferred: Applicants are not required to have previous academic experience of this subject, although a strong interest in Islamic societies and cultures is of course expected.

Start of programme: September intake only

This MA programme studies many aspects of the world of Islam, from its early development to its modern trends. Its primary objective is to approach the study of Islam through a variety of disciplines, cultural contexts and periods. The programme examines Islamic tradition, law and art, as well as the place of Islam in modern politics and alongside other religions. The degree may be considered as a preparation for research or as a way of completing a liberal education. Each module has its own series of classes and seminars, and in addition, students attend general lectures and seminars organised by the Middle East Centre. In most modules, there is one two-hour class each week. This may be an informal lecture followed by a discussion or a student presentation. At Masters level, there is particular emphasis on seminar work where students may be expected to make full-scale presentations for units they take. The dissertation is on an approved topic linked to one of the taught modules.... [-]

Duration: One calendar year (full-time), or two or three years (part-time, daytime only)

Minimum Entry Requirements: Upper second class honours BA (or equivalent) in Arabic. An upper second class honours BA / BSc degree in any other subject is an acceptable qualification providing it is accompanied by the required level of Arabic language: students should be able to read and understand original Classical Arabic texts, such as Qur'an, Hadith, Tafsir, Sirah, Fiqh.

Start of programme: September intake only

The MA offers the students the opportunity to concentrate on the Qur'an, the Hadith and other Islamic texts, and so provides a unique training in the translation of Islamic religious material. The degree is designed to benefit academics, teachers of Islam in other institutions, translators of Islamic material into English in research centres, government departments and da'wa centres. It provides excellent research training and is a useful qualification for those who wish to progress to higher postgraduate degrees.... [-]

Duration: The MA is taken full-time over one year or part-time over two or three years.

Minimum Entry Requirements: The usual qualification for entry is a good first degree in a relevant field. However, the School is keen to offer the course to those with a real passion for the subject, who wish to develop a strong interest within an academic framework.

Start of programme: September intake only

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

The MA Israeli Studies is an interdisciplinary degree which explores the history, culture, politics, language, and music of Israel. The programme is based on a modular system, so the subjects covered can be as diverse as the political thought of Vladimir Jabotinsky, Christian Zionism, the poetry of Yehuda Amichai, the rise of Palestinian nationalism, the struggle of Soviet Jews for emigration, the writings of Mendele Moykher-Sforim, the music of the Hasidim, Palestinian Islamism, the teachings of the Rambam and the Ramban.... [-]

Duration: One calendar year (full-time), Two or three (part-time, daytime only)

Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent)

SOAS offers the most comprehensive MA in Japanese Studies available anywhere in Europe.

Students are able to choose modules that cover all of Japan’s historical periods, from the earliest to the present and ranging over the social and political sciences as well as humanities.

The students who take this programme come from many countries and have a wide variety of academic backgrounds. Some have already studied, or lived, in Japan and wish to broaden their knowledge or understanding. Others wish to focus their previous training on the region, while still others will come from Japan or other East Asian countries wishing to study Japan from the perspective of a different culture and academic tradition.... [-]

Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent).

Duration: 2 years

Mode of Attendance: Full-Time or Part-Time.

Sophia University's Graduate Programme in Global Studies (GPGS) and the Department of Japan and Korea at SOAS University of London have launched a Dual Degree Program (DDP) which allows students to benefit from the combined resources of two of the world's leading institutions in Japanese Studies, located in two major global cities – Tokyo and London. Students making use of this possibility widen their intellectual horizons by taking classes at two of the world’s leading institutions in Japanese Studies. Supervision of student theses or graduation projects by prominent scholars at both institutions encourages multiple perspectives on Japanese Studies.... [-]

Duration: One calendar year (full-time); Two or three years (part-time, daytime only)

Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honors degree (or equivalent)

Start of programme: September

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

This programme covers both pre-modern and modern works of literature of Japan. It includes the study of literary works written in the original languages, as well as an introduction to literary theory.

This degree is designed either as an end qualification in itself or to prepare the student for more advanced graduate work (MPhil/ Ph.D.).

Incoming students will be expected to have completed the equivalent of the first two years of undergraduate language study at SOAS in Japanese.... [-]

Duration: One calendar year (full-time) Two or three years (part-time, daytime only)

Minimum Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent)

Start of programme: September intake only

This degree is designed either to prepare the student for advanced graduate work in a wide range of subjects related to Korea or as an end/qualification in itself.

The programme explores the history, politics, art, music and literature of Korea, as well as providing opportunities to study the languages of the region.

The MA in Korean Studies consists of four components. Students choose one major course and two minor courses from the lists on the Course Detail page.... [-]

Duration: One calendar year (full-time); Two or three years (part-time, daytime only)

Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent)

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

The MA Korean Studies (Literature Pathway) aims to:

Duration: One calendar year (full-time), two or three years (part-time, daytime only)

Entry Requirements: Upper-second class degree (or equivalent)

Interview Policy: Candidates with ‘non-standard’ qualifications usually invited

Start of programme: September intake only

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

Today, there are around 6-7,000 languages spoken in the world and it is widely agreed that at least half of those are under threat of extinction within 50 to 100 years. Language documentation is a new sub-discipline within linguistics that has emerged as a response to the growing crisis of language endangerment. It emphasises data collection methodologies, in two ways: first, in encouraging researchers to collect and record a wide range of linguistic phenomena in genuine communicative situations; and secondly, in its use of high-quality sound and video recording to make sure that the results are the best possible record of the language.... [-]

Duration: One calendar year (full-time); Two or three years (part-time, daytime only)

Minimum Entry Requirements: Upper second class honours preferably in a related discipline

Start of programme: September intake only

The MA in Legal Studies allows students to create their own programme structure, choosing modules from a range covering comparative regional law, trade law, law and development, commercial law (including copyright and patent law), human rights, environmental law, Islamic law, dispute resolution, and international law. All SOAS modules are designed not only to introduce students to the general fields of law, but also to provide an understanding of how generic legal structures and processes may operate in non-Western social and cultural settings. All teachers on modules offered at SOAS are experts in their designated field. Many have years of experience advising governments, international organizations or non-governmental organization, and many also have been or continue to be legal practitioners.... [-]

Duration: One calendar year (full-time), two or three years (part-time, daytime only)

Minimum Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent)

Interview Policy: Candidates with ‘non-standard’ qualifications usually invited

Start of programme: September intake only

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

Modern linguistics is the scientific study of all aspects of the world’s languages from their sound systems and grammatical structure through to the interaction of language with culture, the study of meaning in language, and the use of language in modern technology. Linguists try to establish what types of structures are shared by different languages and the extent to which language may differ from each other.... [-]

Minimum Entry Requirements: Upper-second class degree (or equivalent)

Interview Policy: Candidates with ‘non-standard’ qualifications usually invited

Start of programme: September intake only

Mode of Attendance: Full-time

The programme is run on a modular basis to suit students with little or no training in linguistics who:

This two-year programme is meant for students who wish to combine rigorous training in the discipline of linguistics, with the intensive study of one or more African or Asian languages. At the end of the programme, students will be able to embark on professional careers in language-related fields with emphasis on the region in which the language chosen for the programme is spoken. They will also be able to undertake further study, e.g. for a research degree in linguistics.... [-]

Start of programme: September intake only

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

This programme challenges the assumptions behind the media and development industries and development studies and offers new ways of thinking about the issues. The approach balances critical theoretical analysis of the hegemony implied by the ideas and practices of development with the practical issues surrounding the use of contemporary media, including notably digital technologies.

It draws on media theory, practical knowledge, and experience, alongside critical debates within and about development, to challenge assumptions about the role of media and development industries. Students combine critical theoretical analysis of the role of media in development with a focus on practical issues surrounding the use of media, including digital technologies.... [-]

Duration:

One calendar year (full-time). Two or three years (part-time, daytime only).

We recommend that part-time students have between two and a half and three days free in the week to pursue their course of study. The expectation in the UK is of continuous study across the year, with break periods used to read and to prepare coursework.

Minimum Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent).

Start of programme: September intake only.

The degree is suitable for students with an intellectual interest in anthropological approaches to the study of health as well as for those who work in healthcare in Africa and Asia.... [-]

Duration: 2 years full time, 4 years part-time

Minimum Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honors degree (or equivalent)

Start of programme: September

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

Duration: 2 years full time, 4 years part-time

Minimum Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent)

Start of programme: September

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

Duration: Full time one year, part-time over 3 years

Entry Requirements: Candidates must normally possess a first or upper second class honors degree or equivalent. (E.g. an equivalent bachelors degree from a good US university would have a GPA of 3.3 or above). The programme is interdisciplinary in nature so it is not necessary to have a degree in a discipline directly related to the programme. Each application is assessed on its individual merits and entry requirements may be modified in the light of relevant professional experience, and where the applicant can show a practical commitment to their field of study. Candidates must also be able to provide two supporting references.... [-]

Duration: One calendar year (full- time). Two or three years (part-time, daytime only). We recommend that part-time students have between two and a half and three days free in the week to pursue their course of study.

Entry Requirements: Students with a demonstrably strong background in music performance and evidence of a serious and sustained interest in development and creative communication. An undergraduate training in ethnomusicology, music psychology or music sociology would be an advantage, although a 2.1 pass in any social science degree would be acceptable. Under exceptional circumstances, significant fieldwork experience may offset the absence of formal academic qualifications in this area.... [-]

Duration: One calendar year (full-time), or two or three years (part-time, daytime only).

Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent).

Start of programme: September intake only.

Mode of Attendance: Full-Time or Part-Time.

The MA in Near and Middle Eastern Studies provides exceptional opportunities for studying this diverse and fascinating area at the postgraduate level through a variety of disciplinary approaches. The main emphasis of the programme is on the modern period through the modules in history, geography, politics, economics and anthropology. Some exposure is provided, however, to the pre-modern culture and society of the area through modules in religious studies, Islamic art and archaeology, and history. Modules based on Arabic are offered for those with an adequate knowledge of the language, while modules in Arabic, Hebrew, Persian and Turkish are available for those who wish to acquire or develop skills in these languages.... [-]

Duration: One year (full-time) Two or three years (part-time).

Minimum Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honours (or equivalent).

Start of programme: September intake only.

The region, known as "Pacific Asia", can be defined in various ways, but the "core" countries are China, Japan, Korea and the ASEAN nations (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and the Philippines). Together, they make up one of the most diverse and important regions in the world.

SOAS has more expertise in this part of the world than any other institution in Western Europe; indeed there are very few places anywhere in the world that can boast the same range of expertise.... [-]

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

The MA Palestine Studies is a simultaneously disciplinary and interdisciplinary programme that provides students with an overview of the ways in which varying bodies of scholarship across and intra various disciplines engage and study Palestine and examines how the study of Palestine cuts across and informs scholarly, theoretical, political and disciplinary approaches. It develops an understanding of the complexities of modern and contemporary Palestine through a study of relevant material, and of the dynamics of colonisation, displacement, insecurity and security. It attends to the place of culture in representing conflict and identity politics and as a means of mediation and resistance.... [-]

Start of programme: September

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

The MA Postcolonial Studies Programme offers a focus on the historical relationships of power, domination, and practices of imperialism and colonialism in the modern period (late nineteenth-century to the present) through the study of literature and culture.

The core module will introduce a variety of theoretical and methodological approaches to the literature, film, and media of these areas. A range of literary, filmic and theoretical texts from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and the Near and Middle East will normally be included in the reading list. These will address representations of colonialism and decolonization, neo-colonialism, nationalism in postcolonial societies and diasporic experiences, allowing us to explore the heterogeneous meanings, intersections, and strategies of analysis that have emerged with reference to postcolonial studies.... [-]

Duration: 1 calendar year Part-time: 2 or 3 calendar years. We recommend that part-time students have between two and a half and three days free in the week to pursue their course of study.

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

Who is this programme for?

The programme is designed to appeal to policy-makers, analysts, journalists and researchers in either international, national or regional institutions and organisations engaged in policy formation, inter-religious dialogue and community development, social work, development, conflict resolution, peacebuilding or diversity management. It will also provide a solid basis from which to pursue doctoral study. The programme is intended to enable professional development in the area of ‘Religion and Politics’ as well to provide pre-doctoral research training in social scientific analyses of ‘Religion and Politics’.... [-]

Duration: Full-time: 1 calendar year Part-time: 2 or 3 calendar years. We recommend that part-time students have between two and a half and three days free in the week to pursue their course of study.

Minimum Entry Requirements: Normally, minimum upper second class Honours degree from a UK university, or an overseas qualification or equivalent standard. Applicants with qualifications obtained at private or religious institutions should inquire about the School’s position on such qualifications.

Interview Policy: We welcome applications from students with non-conventional qualifications and usually determine suitability for the programme on the basis of an interview.... [-]

Duration: 2 years full time, 4 years part-time

Entry Requirements: Normally, minimum upper second class Honours degree from a UK university, or an overseas qualification or equivalent standard. Applicants with qualifications obtained at private or religious institutions should inquire about the School’s position on such qualifications.

Start of programme: September

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

The MA Religions of Asia and Africa is in the first place a rewarding cultural and human experience. It is designed both as an end qualification in itself and as a platform preparing students for more advanced graduate work.... [-]

Duration: One year (full-time). Two or three years (part-time, daytime only)

Minimum Entry Requirements: The normal qualification for admission to the MA programme is an upper second class honours degree. Other qualifications, however, may be acceptable and the Department welcomes mature students. Students taking the MA degree may or may not have previous experience of our subjects. While knowledge of a relevant Asian or African language is not a requirement, for some courses it is an advantage for admission (see individual course descriptions for details). It is possible to include an element of language training within the MA programme by taking an Asian or African language as one of the two ‘minor’ courses. This option may be particularly desirable for those intending to progress to the PhD, who do not already have the necessary language skills.... [-]

Duration: One calendar year (full-time); Two or three years (part-time, daytime only)

Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honours (or equivalent) in Chinese

Subjects Preferred: Chinese

Start of programme: September intake only

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

Students are expected to have a degree of at least upper-second class level or equivalent and to have proved to our satisfaction that they have a competence in Chinese equivalent to at least the level reached by the end of our third year BA Chinese course. The degree is designed either as an end qualification in itself or to prepare the student for more advanced graduate work (MPhil/PhD).... [-]

Duration: One calendar year (full-time) Two or three years (part-time, daytime only) We recommend that part-time students have between two and a half and three days free in the week to pursue their course of study. The expectation in the UK is of continuous study across the year, with break periods used to read and to prepare coursework.

Start of programme: September intake only

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

Who is this programme for?

The programme is designed on a modular basis offering different pathways to suit, broadly, three categories of students: Students with a degree in social anthropology wishing to pursue more specialist topics and/or more regional and language-based study Students with little or no previous knowledge of social anthropology wishing to acquire a broad knowledge of the discipline Students with little or no previous knowledge of social anthropology wishing to take the degree as a conversion course before proceeding to a research degree in anthropology... [-]

Duration: One calendar year (full-time) Two or three years (part-time, daytime only) We recommend that part-time students have between two and a half and three days free in the week to pursue their course of study. The expectation in the UK is of continuous study across the year, with break periods used to read and to prepare coursework.

Minimum Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent).

Start of programme: September intake only.

Mode of Attendance: Full-Time or Part-Time

This Anthropology MA provides an understanding of the ways in which anthropological approaches and debates inform the study of meanings and concepts in development, its priorities, policies and practice. It attracts students with diverse backgrounds and study/work experiences which makes for a lively and challenging atmosphere.... [-]

Duration: 2 years full-time, 4 years part-time.

Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent).

Start of programme: September

Mode of Attendance: Full-time or Part-time

This Anthropology MA provides an understanding of the ways in which anthropological approaches and debates inform the study of meanings and concepts in development, its priorities, policies, and practice. It attracts students with diverse backgrounds and study/work experiences which makes for a lively and challenging atmosphere.

The degree is designed to provide students with a fairly detailed knowledge of anthropology, development issues, research methods, and either an ethnographic region (and/or language) and/or thematic interest in health/gender/food/ media. Advice will be given to match the choice of optional components to the requirements, interests, and qualifications of individual students whose background may be in general social science, regional, language or other studies. While the focus of the degree is on development issues and practice, its disciplinary orientation remains anthropological.... [-]

Duration: One calendar year (full-time) Two or three years (part-time, daytime only) We recommend that part-time students have between two and a half and three days free in the week to pursue their course of study. The expectation in the UK is of continuous study across the year, with break periods used to read and to prepare coursework.

Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent)

Start of programme: September intake only

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

The programme is designed on a modular basis offering different pathways to suit, broadly, three categories of students:... [-]

Duration: One calendar year (full-time); Two or three years (part-time, daytime only)

Minimum Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent)

Start of programme: September intake only.

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.... [-]

Duration: One year (full-time) Two or three years (part-time)

Minimum Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honors (or equivalent)

Start of programme: September intake only

The MA in South East Asian Studies provides exceptional opportunities for advanced study of one of the world’s most diverse and important regions.

Students on the programme come from a wide range of backgrounds. Some come into the programme having acquired an interest in South East Asia during their undergraduate career or as a result of traveling in the region.

The programme also attracts mature students: some take the MA as a partial preparation for employment in the region; others, having lived in South East Asia for a number of years, seek to place their experience and impressions into a more structured, analytical framework.... [-]

Duration: One calendar year (full-time) Two or three years (part-time daytime only)

Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honours (or equivalent)

Start of programme: September intake only

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

The SOAS MA programme in Taiwan Studies is the first postgraduate degree focussing on contemporary Taiwan in the English speaking world. It provides an unrivalled programme of advanced interdisciplinary courses on Taiwan’s politics, society and culture, film, rights and law, and languages. SOAS is the world’s leading centre for the study of Taiwan. Each year its Centre of Taiwan Studies runs a very vibrant series of academic events, film screenings, concerts and conferences that are designed to create a unique environment for the study of Taiwan.... [-]

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

The thematic components and cross-regional perspectives typically suit students with the following interests and/or aspirations:

Duration: One calendar year (full-time), two or three years (part-time, daytime only)

Entry Requirements: Upper second class or above honours degree (or equivalent); fluency in the specified African or Asian language at least to the level of that imparted by the first degree in that language.

Interview Policy: Candidates with ‘non-standard’ qualifications are usually invited to interview.

Start of programme: September intake only.

Mode of Attendance: Full-Time or Part-Time.

The MA programme in Translation combines training of practical translation skills with the teaching of translation theories and methods. It is unique in terms of the range of Asian/African language specializations. The aim of the programme is to enhance students' methodological and practical skills in translation, preparing them for the professional market as (freelance) translators or other language professionals while providing an intellectual perspective on the discipline of translation studies, which could be the foundation for further MPhil/PhD research.... [-]

Duration: One calendar year (full-time); two or three years (part-time, daytime only)

Minimum Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honours degree in a social science or humanities subject or equivalent

Start of programme: September intake only

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

This programme enables students to engage critically with different aspects of Turkish culture and society. The degree offers comprehensive training in the field of Turkish studies. Drawing on SOAS's wide resources in the field, the programme allows students to combine courses to build a syllabus of study according to their interests. It serves as excellent preparation for research.... [-]

Duration: One calendar year (full-time); Two or three years (part-time, daytime only) Students usually complete their core modules in Year 1, and their option modules and dissertation in subsequent years.

Minimum Entry Requirements: The qualification for entry is normally a first or upper-second class honours degree (or equivalent) in Politics or International Relations, or a related social science discipline. Applicants without such a background may be considered for admission depending on their academic training and undergraduate performance.

Start of programme: September intake only

The Department of Politics and International Studies offers seven linked masters programmes in politics and the international politics of Asia and Africa.... [-]

Duration: One calendar year (full-time); Two or three years (part-time, daytime only)

Minimum Entry Requirements: The qualification for entry is normally a first or upper-second class honors degree (or equivalent) in Politics or International Relations, or a related social science discipline. Applicants without such a background may be considered for admission depending on their academic training and undergraduate performance.

Start of programme: September intake only

Containing 60 percent of the world’s population, Asia is the setting for many of the most important political issues in the world today. These issues include the rise of China and India, economic dynamism of the Asian-Pacific area, regional integration (ASEAN, SAARC, Shanghai Cooperation Organization), security hotspots (Korean Peninsula, Taiwan Straits, India-Pakistan, the ‘global war on terror’), democratic transition and consolidation, the survival of non-democratic regimes, and identity conflicts of ethnicity, religion and language. To understand these and other political processes, this MSc programme draws upon the concepts and methods of the sub-disciplines of comparative politics (political sociology and political economy) and international relations. The evidence from Asia will also reveal the relevance and limitations of the concepts and methods derived from North American/European settings and suggest ways in which they may be modified.... [-]