Modern South Asian Studies MSc

The MSc in Modern South Asian Studies is a new 12-month, taught master's course, offered jointly by the Faculty of Oriental Studies and the School of Interdisciplinary Area Studies. You will study this important region, with its rich history and its complex present-day societies, from a number of disciplinary and analytical perspectives, culminating in a 12,000-word thesis. The MSc in Modern South Asian Studies is an exciting new degree bringing together Oxford’s wealth of expertise on South Asia in a single programme. Students gain access to teaching and expert supervision across departments, the ability to combine courses in both the social sciences and the humanities, rigorous training in one of three tailored modules in research methods, and the option to build in language training. As a student on the MSc, you will choose one of two streams: Contemporary India or Modern South Asia. These distinctive streams build on the strong master's courses previously offered by the School of Interdisciplinary Area Studies and the Faculty of Oriental Studies, but offer new flexibility. Students on the course will experience a variety of teaching modes, including lectures, seminars, classes, student presentations, and small group teaching. Supervision for the thesis will be offered as a series of individual meetings between you and your thesis supervisor. Assessment is through a combination of coursework, assessed essays, written examinations and the thesis. The department aims to equip its graduates with a range of valuable skills which will enable them to compete successfully within a number of different careers - in the civil service and policy-making bodies in Britain, Europe and further afield, in non-governmental organisations concerned with development, in the charitable sector, in journalism, public and private sector research and consultancy, law and academia. The MSc is a valuable preparation for students wishing to go on to doctoral research.