PhD in South East Asian Studies
SOAS University of London
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2 options available
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Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

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Location

SOAS, University of London

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

SEP-25

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Duration

3 years

Course info

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Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

SOAS, University of London

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

3 years

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Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

SOAS, University of London

Study mode

Part Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

6 years

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Asian Studies
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Course info

The South East Asia Section of the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics at SOAS offers the widest coverage in Europe of research and teaching related to the languages and cultures of the principal countries of South East Asia. Its primary commitment is to the four languages Burmese, Indonesian/Malay, Thai and Vietnamese, and their literatures, cinemas and associated cultures. REF 2014 submissions by members of the Department included significant and paradigm-shifting monographs, edited ...Read more

The South East Asia Section of the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics at SOAS offers the widest coverage in Europe of research and teaching related to the languages and cultures of the principal countries of South East Asia.

Its primary commitment is to the four languages Burmese, Indonesian/Malay, Thai and Vietnamese, and their literatures, cinemas and associated cultures. REF 2014 submissions by members of the Department included significant and paradigm-shifting monographs, edited collections, journal articles and book chapters in cinema and gender, literary criticism, cultural history and postcolonial studies. It is a flourishing and friendly Department with close links to recent alumni.

The research interests of the Department’s members include: classical Malay literature; modern literature in Malay, Indonesian, Thai, and Vietnamese; Islam in South East Asia; language pedagogy; phonetics; gender studies; oral literature and folklore; cinema in South East Asia; and translation. These interests are increasingly reflected in the kind of work that is undertaken by the Department’s current doctoral researchers.

A full research training programme is provided at Faculty level, in addition to the close attention each doctoral researcher receives from his or her supervisor. MPhil/PhD students admitted to the Department receive research training in the Faculty-wide first year research training seminar and are also encouraged to participate in discipline-specific training offered by the Faculty Centre for Cultural, Literary and Postcolonial Studies (CCLPS) and research skills training coordinated via the Doctoral School.

The Department provides supervision for both full-time and part-time doctoral researchers undertaking supervised research in a wide range of South East Asian languages and literatures. Theses completed in recent years have included topics in traditional Lao literature, contemporary Thai fiction, the syntax of spoken Mon, the shadow play in Bali, Malay oral literature, schoolbooks in colonial Burma, pre-Angkor Cambodia and political literature in Vietnam.

Under the regulations of SOAS, University of London, all doctoral researchers register initially for an MPhil: they may transfer to PhD after completing one year, if they wish and subject to approval by the School, which requires evidence that the candidate’s work is achieving the standard required.

The minimum duration for full-time doctoral researchers is two years for the MPhil and three years for the PhD. Part-time doctoral researchers normally take twice as long to complete their studies. When their research is completed, candidates submit a thesis to the examiners, and then attend a viva voce examination.

Applicants for postgraduate degrees must have a good command of the language of their field of study, and should normally have a good first degree in the appropriate subject, but students with other qualifications and experience may also be eligible, and applications from mature students are particularly welcome. If necessary for the development of their chosen subject, doctoral researchers will be expected to have or acquire an adequate reading knowledge of Dutch and/or French. All potential applicants are strongly advised to consult the Department before they apply. More general queries should be directed to the Department Research Tutor or to the Doctoral School.

All students register in year 1 of the programme as MPhil students. The upgrade from MPhil to PhD takes place at the end of the first academic session for full time students (or at the end of the second academic session for part-time students).

Key stats

CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
6th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
71st
What students say
L
leila
23 Feb 24

the degree is excellent and the teachers are all incredible but the university needs better..Read more

Y
Yuki
24 Oct 22

Good location, helpful and kind teachers Was hard to find some places, didn't know some facilities existed..Read more

Entry requirements

We normally require a 2.1 bachelor's degree (or its equivalent) plus a Masters degree in appropriate subject area plus one reference. In exceptional cases we may accept applicants who do not meet these criteria if they show evidence of a strong Masters degree and/or appropriate level of relevant work experience.

Tuition fees

Students living in

Domestic

£4,860 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Domestic

This is the fee you pay if the University is in the same country that you live in (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)

Please note that fees go up each year.

£22,490 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from EU

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from somewhere in the EU.

Please note that fees go up each year.

£22,490 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from International

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from a country outside the EU.

Please note that fees go up each year.

IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Asian Studies reviews

Asian Studies
Asian Studies
Asia: Languages
L
leila
23 Feb 24
East Asian Studies BA (Hons)
the degree is excellent and the teachers are all incredible but the university needs better...
Read more
Y
Yuki
24 Oct 22
East Asian Studies BA (Hons)
Good location, helpful and kind teachers Was hard to find some places, didn't know some facilities existed...
Read more
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How Asian Studies students rated:

Student rating
( 3.6) 14 reviews
5 star
22%
4 stars
43%
3 stars
21%
2 stars
7%
1 star
7%

How all students rated:

Student rating
( 4.0) 734 reviews
5 star
30%
4 stars
49%
3 stars
16%
2 stars
4%
1 star
1%
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Uni info

SOAS University of London
SOAS University of London , Camden

At SOAS University of London, postgraduate students are encouraged to challenge the status quo and think globally....

Student rating
( 4.0) View reviews
CUG ranking
71st
SOAS University of London
Thornhaugh Street Russell Square Camden Greater London WC1H 0XG United Kingdom
Nearest tube station: Goodge Street  0.1 miles away Nearest train station: Euston   0.4 miles away
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