Politics and International Relations (Central Asia)

MSc Politics and International Relations (Central Asia) applicants should apply for MSc Politics and International Relations but can decide to follow the Central Asia pathway upon arrival by choosing the pathway’s required combination of modules.

SOAS is uniquely positioned to support high-level research and teaching focused on Central Asia and the Caucasus. The Central Asia pathway enables students to acquire a comprehensive understanding of domestic and international politics in a region standing at the crossroads of both Asia and the Middle East, including an appreciation for the role of key external actors such as China, Russia, Turkey, India, and several Western states.

From an inquiry into the nature of Soviet and Russian institutional, economic, and ideological legacies to ongoing debates about modernization, political transition, decolonization, and development, this pathway features a wide range of themes including geopolitics, regional security, energy politics, and forms of authoritarian rule, as well as resistance/protest, ethnic and religious identities, migration, and shifting conceptions of “Eurasianism”.

This broad coverage enables students to understand the specificities of individual states alongside an up-to-date appreciation for the role of Central Asia and the Caucasus within the wider world.

Why study MSc Politics and International Relations (Central Asia) at 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 (QS World University Rankings 2025)
• We're ranked 7th in the UK for African and Middle Eastern 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’.

Study Tours

In 2025-26, Study Tours across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East will offer opportunities for in-depth engagement and high-level networking in:

• Central Asia (Almaty + Bishkek)
• South Asia (New Delhi + Lahore)
• Southeast Asia (Luang Prabang)
• East Asia (Seoul)
• Africa (Kigali)
• the Middle East (Doha)

In 2025-26, the fee for each tour (events plus room and board) will be £1750 + airfare. Each tour will be subject to minimum/maximum participant numbers.

Recommended Study Tour: Almaty / Bishkek (pending availability)

Led by Dr Bhavna Dave, a leader in the field of Central Asian Studies, students will spend the first 4 days in Almaty and the remaining 3 days in Bishkek.

In Almaty, key activities will include introductory lectures and meetings with postgraduate students at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and discussions with academics, analysts, and activists on themes such as geopolitics, economic and political reform, civil society, and human rights (including a visit to Kazakhstan's International Bureau of Human Rights and Rule of Law). We will also visit the National Museum, Panfilov Park, the Central Cathedral, the local bazaar, and various sites related to the January 2022 protests, as well as a ballet, opera, or some other cultural event.

The Almaty-Bishkek journey will take 4-5 hours by bus. In Bishkek, we will visit the famous Osh bazaar, a mosque, and the State History museum, as well as the American University of Central Asia and the OSCE Academy for lectures and high-level discussions regarding political reform, conflict, labour migration, and corruption. Our visit to Bishkek will also include a half-day visit to the stunning Ala Archa mountains.