Entry requirements

SOAS and NU will consider a 2:2 or above Bachelor (honours) degree or international equivalent. This equates to a CGPA of 2.7 out of 4.00, or its equivalent, from the previous level of education.

Both institutions will accept an IELTS Academic/for UKVI/ Online of 6.5 (6.0 in all subscores) or equivalent from one of the acceptable English language tests outlined on the English language requirements page.

Application deadline: 31 July

Months of entry

September

Course content

The world is changing — faster than ever.

We live in an age of complexity and uncertainty. But also of new connections, convergence, and collaboration.

At the centre of these transformations lies Eurasia — a vast, dynamic region where the world’s major currents meet: energy and trade, security and technology, culture and ideas. To understand the global order today — you must understand Eurasia.

The NU–SOAS Joint MA in Global Affairs and Eurasian Studies is your gateway to this pivotal region. A leading-edge collaboration between Nazarbayev University in Astana and SOAS University of London.

On this course, you’ll explore how global and regional forces interact — from diplomacy and security to environment, energy, and culture. You’ll learn to think critically, challenge assumptions, and cut through disinformation.

Graduates of the Joint MA emerge with the insight and skills to shape debates in diplomacy, international organisations, think tanks, and academia — transforming understanding into global impact.

The academic structure includes Semester 1 at SOAS, where students complete a core module on Central Asia and the Caucasus and three optional modules. In Semester 2, students will relocate to NU, where they will complete another core module, additional modules in Politics and Eurasian studies, and undertake a credit-bearing internship in a diplomatic or NGO setting. Each student will be allocated a supervisor from NU and SOAS to support the completion of a 10,000-word dissertation.

Why SOAS

We’re ranked 6th in the UK and 28th worldwide for Politics (QS World University Rankings 2025)
We’re ranked 3rd globally for Academic Reputation in Politics (QS World University Rankings 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’
We’re home to one of the UK’s five National Research Libraries, specialising in the rich collections of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East

Why Nazarbayev University

NU is amongst the fastest rising universities in the Times Higher Education’s rankings after only 15 years of existence (Best ranked university in Central Asia and the Caucasus region and #4 in CIS countries)
NU is recognized for having one of the highest concentration of scholars specialized in Central Asian studies.
NU is accredited by the UK based Quality Accreditation Agency.
Located in the heart of Eurasia, NU is providing its students with a unique opportunity to study Political Science where the tectonic plates of tomorrow’s world are shifting and to complete an internship in a local embassy, a non-governmental organization or an international organization.