MSc Politics and International Relations (South Asia)
London, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2027
TUITION FEES
GBP 12,965 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Home | International: £25,320
Key Summary
About: Apply to MSc Politics and International Relations and choose the South Asia pathway on arrival by selecting required modules. SOAS hosts the largest South Asian Studies network in the UK and Europe and partners with SOAS South Asia Institute. The pathway examines political economy, political sociology, political thought, and international relations. SOAS ranks 5th in the UK and 16th worldwide for Politics (QS 2026) and 3rd worldwide for Academic Reputation in Politics. Eligibility for ESRC funding.
Career Outcomes: Graduates enter diplomacy, international organizations, NGOs, think tanks, civil service, journalism, academia, and consultancy; Career opportunities include research, policy, regional expertise.
MSc Politics and International Relations (South Asia) applicants should apply for MSc Politics and International Relations but can decide to follow the South Asia pathway upon arrival by choosing the pathway's required combination of modules.
SOAS has the largest network of South Asian Studies scholars in the UK and Europe: it is a global leader in the field. Together with the SOAS South Asia Institute, the South Asia pathway provides an in-depth exploration of a pivotal world region from four interdisciplinary perspectives: political economy, political sociology, political thought, and international relations.
Why study MSc Politics and International Relations (South Asia) at SOAS?
- SOAS is ranked 5th in the UK and 16th worldwide for Politics (QS World University Rankings 2026).
- We're ranked 3rd in the world for Academic Reputation in Politics (QS World University Rankings 2026).
- We're ranked 6th in the UK for Asian Studies (Complete University Guide 2025).
- SOAS is unique - our global student body, multi-disciplinary approach, critical and questioning attitude contribute to a vibrant
- learning environment that stretches students beyond the focus on basic ‘skills training’.
- Eligibility for ESRC funding for students who want to follow their MSc degree with a PhD.
Compulsory modules
- Dissertation in Politics and International Studies - 60 credits
- Methodology in the Social Sciences - 15 credits
- Core modules
- Frameworks of Political Analysis - 15 credits
- One Quarter of Humanity: Politics and Society in South Asia - 15 credits
- South Asia in World Politics: Rising Powers, Global Agendas - 15 credits
Guided options
- Law, Religion and the State in South Asia 1 - 15 credits
- 750D Ethnographic Locations: South Asia - 15 credits
- Democracy and Authoritarianism in Asia - 15 credits
- Law, Religion and the State in South Asia - 15 credits
- Comparative and International Family Law (South Asia) - 15 credits
- Political Economy of Development and Change in South Asia - 15 credits
Politics options
- Global Political Thought - 15 credits
- Artificial Intelligence and Human Security - 15 credits
- Foreign Policy Analysis - 15 credits
- International Political Economy - 15 credits
- Introduction to Quantitative Methods in Social Research - 15 credits
- Political Concepts and Global Crises - 15 credits
- Political Theory, Race and Empire - 15 credits
- Political Thought on the Just Rebellion - 15 credits
- State Violence: Theories of the Leviathan and Beyond - 15 credits
- Conflict, Rights and Justice - 15 credits
- Violence, Justice and the Politics of Memory - 15 credits
- Geopolitics and Security in Central Asia and the Caucasus - 15 credits
- Central Asia and the Caucasus: Politics and International Relations II - 15 credits
- Nationalism, Technology and State Building in Chinese Domestic Politics - 15 credits
- China and International Politics - 15 credits
- Globalising China - 15 credits
- International Politics of the Middle East - 15 credits
- Southeast Asia: Politics and International Relations I - 15 credits
- Southeast Asia: Politics and International Relations II - 15 credits
Open options
Students can take a maximum of 30 credits from the School-wide open options list, including languages.
SOAS Politics and International Relations students leave SOAS not only with a knowledge and understanding of the complex political and cultural issues of our time, but also with a portfolio of widely transferable skills which employers seek in many professional and management careers.
Lectures
Most modules involve a 50-minute lecture as a key component with linked tutorial classes.
Seminars
At Masters level there is particular emphasis on seminar work taking place in two-hour sessions. Students make full-scale presentations for each unit that they take, and are expected to write papers that often require significant independent work.
Dissertation
A part of the requirement for the degree is given over to the writing of an adequately researched 10,000-word dissertation. Students are encouraged to take up topics which relate the study of a particular region to a body of theory.
Learning resources
SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.