What will I learn?

SOAS’s MA History and Intensive Language programme is one of the few UK Master-level degrees in History which focuses on the histories of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. With its high concentration of expertise of these regions, the programme offers an unrivalled breadth of courses on these regions’ respective as well as interconnected histories. In addition to offering regional and global/transnational expertise, the SOAS MA History and Intensive Language programme also provides a rich training in the theory and methodology in history-writing and historical research.

While the course is open to students from a broad range of backgrounds, the ideal applicant would have an undergraduate degree in History (or a related discipline), some knowledge of foreign, including Asian or African languages, and preferably some relevant background in the region of specialism.

Why Study MA History and Intensive Language at SOAS?

SOAS is ranked 12th in the UK for History (QS World University Rankings 2023)
SOAS is ranked 6th in the UK for employability (QS World University Rankings 2023)
You have the opportunity to significantly enhance proficiency in a range African, or Asian, or Middle Eastern languages
Our History research environment is entirely world-leading/internationally excellent (REF 2021)
83.3% of our History impact case-studies were world-leading/internationally excellent (REF 2021)
71.2% of our History research outputs were world-leading/internationally excellent (REF 2021)
In the 2023 Postgraduate Research Experience Survey, History scored above sector in the following categories: research culture, community, research skills, and professional development
You can participate in the Regional History Seminars, as well as in a wide range of research seminars, lectures and conferences, which regularly take place in different departments across the School and at other colleges of the University of London.

With specialised historical knowledge, an understanding of cultural sensibilities and skills in research and analysis, graduates from the Department of History are well respected by employers across private and public sectors.

Which department am I in?

Department of the Languages and Cultures of the Near and Middle East

Study options

Full Time (2 years)

Tuition fees

£25,320.00 (27,58,771) per year

Fees go up each year, therefore, your tuition fee in your second & subsequent years of study will be higher. Our continuing students, on the same degree programme, are protected from annual increases higher than 5%.

This is a fixed fee

*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution

Start date

September 2025

Venue

SOAS, University of London

Thornhaugh Street,

Russell Square,

Camden,

Greater London,

WC1H 0XG, SOUTHERN ENGLAND, England

Full Time (2 Years)

Tuition fees

£25,320.00 (27,58,771) per year

Wood Green Hall Single room £170-£155 Per week

*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution

Start date

September 2025

Venue

SOAS, University of London

Thornhaugh Street,

Russell Square,

Camden,

Greater London,

WC1H 0XG, SOUTHERN ENGLAND, England

Entry requirements

For international students

Applicants with bachelor’s degree equivalent to 2:ii: CGPA: 55-60% or 5.5/10 - 6.0/10 from a good university will be considered for entry. We will consider all applications with a 2:2 (or international equivalent) or higher in a social science or humanities subject. In addition to degree classification we take into account other elements of the application such as supporting statement. References are optional, but can help build a stronger application if you fall below the 2:2 requirement or have non-traditional qualifications. English language requirements: Students need to have an IELTS academic score of 6.5 with 6.5 in all subscores; TOEFL IBT - 95 overall with 23 in writing, 20 in other subscores.

*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.

About SOAS University of London