Politics and International Relations (Southeast Asia)

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

The Southeast Asia pathway offers a multi-faceted exploration of politics in a dynamic and crucial global region. In conjunction with the SOAS Centre for Southeast Asian Studies, the pathway encourages a detailed analysis of Southeast Asian domestic and international politics, not just from a macro-level perspective, but also with reference to the intricacies that shape political life in individual states.

The interplay of historical experience, cultural ethos, and evolving social and global paradigms is highlighted to show how particular nations have charted their own unique political journeys. Special attention is paid to the effect of increasing global interconnectivity on local political dynamics, from nationalism and urban development to the politics of ethnicity, culture, gender, and religion. Pulling away from a broad-brush approach, the curriculum delves deeply into the experiences of Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Timor Leste.

This ensures that learners gain a holistic understanding of social and political practice, policy formulation, and international affairs across the region, as well as a nuanced appreciation for key political trends, both formal and informal, within individual states.

The MSc Politics and International Studies is designed to train students in research skills to the level prescribed by the ESRC's research training guidelines. As a result, students are eligible for ESRC funding if they plan to study for our MSc degree followed by a PhD in our department.

Why study MSc Politics and International Relations (Southeast 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.

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 and Bishkek, Kigali, Johannesburg, and Doha. For more information, see our Study Tours page. We recommend the tour to Luang Prabang for this course.