History and Intensive Language (Japanese)

SOAS’s MA History and Intensive Language programme is one of the few UK Master-level degrees in History which focuses on the histories of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

With its high concentration of expertise of these regions, the programme offers an unrivalled breadth of courses on these regions’ respective as well as interconnected histories. In addition to offering regional and global/transnational expertise, the SOAS MA History and Intensive Language programme also provides a rich training in the theory and methodology in history-writing and historical research.

While the course is open to students from a broad range of backgrounds, the ideal applicant would have an undergraduate 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.

Why Study MA History and Intensive Language at SOAS?

• SOAS is ranked 7th in the UK and 36th in the world for History (QS World University Rankings 2026).
• We're ranked 4th in the UK for Academic Reputation in History (QS World University Rankings 2026).
• SOAS is ranked 12th in the UK for Modern Languages (QS World University Rankings 2026).
• Our History research environment is entirely world-leading/internationally excellent (REF 2021).
• 83.3% of our History impact case-studies were world-leading/internationally excellent (REF 2021).
• 71.2% of our History research outputs were world-leading/internationally excellent (REF 2021).
• In the 2023 Postgraduate Research Experience Survey, History scored above sector in the following categories: research culture, community, research skills, and professional development.
• You can participate in the Regional History Seminars, as well as in a wide range of research seminars, lectures and conferences, which regularly take place in different departments across the School and at other colleges of the University of London.

Study Tours

All postgraduate students can take part in our Study Tours and explore the world. Destinations include New Delhi, Lahore, Seoul, Luang Prabang, Almaty, Bishkek, Kigali, Johannesburg, and Doha. For more information, see our Study Tours page.