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From understanding the intricate dynamics of Middle Eastern diplomacy to unpacking Africa’s booming tech innovation, area studies matter now more than ever. Hence, employers across the globe are specifying a need for individuals who can navigate complex international environments and build bridges between communities.
SOAS University of London‘s School of Languages, Cultures, and Linguistics nurtures these competencies through its Area Studies programmes, specialising in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Each pathway offers a unique multidisciplinary approach, enabling students to explore their chosen region through core subjects like history, politics, law, literature, and development studies. All lessons are led by world-class faculty members; however, what truly sets these programmes apart is their flexibility and how they allow students to design their education around their passions.
This is precisely what caught Alina Rames’s attention. Born and raised in the UK, she chose the MA South Asian Area Studies programme to combine her interests in South Asian ancient history, contemporary politics, religion, and conflict. “I don’t believe any other UK university could have offered that opportunity,” she says.
“I appreciated being able to select modules based on my interests and ambitions,” she says. As an Indian classical dancer, this flexibility even allowed her to tailor her coursework to complement her passion for dance.
SOAS ranks sixth in the UK for employability (QS World University Rankings 2023), boosting students’ chances of landing their dream career after a master’s degree. Source: SOAS University of London
Interdisciplinary programmes for a globalised world
SOAS also offers an MA Linguistics and an MA Southeast and Pacific Asian Studies. Each programme incorporates language proficiency, regional expertise, and interdisciplinary approaches, setting them apart from Western-centric academic models.
The MA Linguistics is a one-year, modular programme designed to accommodate students with no prior linguistics training or those looking to expand their sociolinguistics knowledge. Students on this route cover core topics in phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, historical and typological linguistics, sociolinguistics, language planning, and language revitalisation. The programme focuses on languages of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East and the communities who speak them.
The MA Southeast and Pacific Asian Studies programme focuses on countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. It combines anthropology, history, and religious studies to help students fully comprehend the region’s cultures, languages, and literatures.
Meanwhile, Rames’s pick, the MA South Asian Area Studies programme, offers an interdisciplinary exploration of the region’s politics, religion, literature, and culture. It includes language acquisition in Hindi, Urdu, Tamil, and Bengali. As Rames’s found, several modules explore how language is intertwined with culture and identity.
For instance, one module, Literatures of Resistance in South Asia, focused on how language can reflect social hierarchies and act as a tool of resistance, expression, or oppression. “I observed how languages shift, such as the rise of English in India’s urban centres, and how this impacts cultural assimilation and social mobility,” explains the student.
Across these three pathways, students learn directly from primary sources and local communities. With access to SOAS’s extensive library and rare multilingual archives, they can conduct meaningful research. SOAS faculty further elevate these programmes with their experiences.
Experts like Dr. Mulaika Hijjas, who specializes in Southeast Asian Islamic manuscripts, and Dr. Rachel V Harrison, an authority on Thai literature and cultural studies, ensure students receive world-class guidance.
“All of my lecturers brought diverse expertise and firsthand experience from the region, and each enriched my learning experience in unique ways,” Rames’s says. “One faculty member who had a particularly strong impact on my academic journey was Dr. Anandi Rao, who taught Politics of Culture B. Her insightful lectures, paired with her thoughtful guidance, helped me clarify my ideas and frame my dissertation meaningfully.”
SOAS’s strategic goals focus on expanding internships and global partnerships, integrating digital humanities into Area Studies, and enhancing equitable access through scholarships. Source: SOAS University of London
Practical experience for global careers
For students seeking practical experience, SOAS offers year-abroad and summer programmes that provide cultural immersion in countries like India and Thailand. These fieldwork and volunteering opportunities enhance real-world understanding.
The university’s location in London enables students to engage in cultural events, festivals, and academic seminars. Rames’sdiscovered that these interactions, particularly with South Asian students, helped her improve her language skills and deepen her understanding of the world.
Such immersion, combined with academic rigour, equips SOAS’s Area Studies graduates for careers in international organisations, worldwide trade, cultural diplomacy, and more. They thrive across divisions, thanks to their soft skills, cross-cultural competence, and language proficiency. “Through modules like Politics of Culture A & B, I developed critical thinking and analytical skills that have equipped me with the ability to understand complex global issues from a regional perspective,” Rames’s says.
This explains why SOAS graduates go on to add value to organisations like the United Nations, BBC World Service, and international development agencies. Learn more about following in their footsteps.
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