International Master's Programme in Political Science with Specialization in Global Asian Studies

The Master’s Programme in Global Asian Studies offers an in-depth and multidisciplinary exploration of one of the world’s most dynamic regions. It provides a broad understanding of Asia’s politics, societies, economies, histories, and cultures, and examines how interactions between Asia and the wider world are mutually influential. Combining empirical study, with theoretical and critical analysis, the programme prepares students for professional work and academic research in fields related to Asia’s global significance.

Profound knowledge of Asia is a strong asset in any student portfolio, when applying for a job in business, government, or in a national or international nongovernmental organization.

Photo: Kristian Pohl/Stockholm University © May 28, 2024

The programme imparts students with deep knowledge of this important region of the world, preparing them for specialized work and doctoral studies. Through fieldwork, exchange studies and internship it primes students to become practitioners in the public, private or nongovernmental sectors of the job market. The programme provides a two-year master's degree in Global Asian Studies and is given by Stockholm Center for Global Asia at the Department of Political Science, in collaboration with the Department of Social Anthropology and teachers from the Department of Law.

Global Asian Studies is a multidisciplinary academic field that examines the politics, societies, economies, histories, and cultures of Asia. The programme places particular emphasis on contemporary developments, exploring how historical trajectories and transnational processes, and domestic developments, both shape and are shaped by the actions of states, institutions, and social actors within Asia. Students engage with pressing themes such as autocratization and democratization, social movements, migration and labour, law and governance, and conflicts and international politics. The programme deepens understanding of how local, regional, and global forces interact in producing political and social change across Asia.

A central feature of the programme is its focus on critical analysis, fostering the ability to approach complex issues from multiple perspectives through analytical and theoretically informed reasoning. This approach equips students with the qualified analytical skills required for advanced professional practice and research.

Programme structure

The two-year Master’s Programme combines academic depth with methodological training and empirical learning.

The first course offers a broad introduction to politics, political economies, and key international conflicts in East and Southeast Asia (15 credits). This course serves as a foundation for the four subsequent thematic courses (7.5 credits each), which dives more in-depth into key issues such as development, international politics, democracy, authoritarianism and human rights, social movements, migration and labour, and law. The second semester concludes with a method course (15 credits), where students choose between qualitative and quantitative methods. This develops both methodological proficiency and transferable analytical skills.

In the third semester, students conduct independent research and write their master’s thesis, applying the theoretical and methodological skills they have developed. The final semester
offers flexibility through elective courses, exchange studies, or an internship with a relevant organization abroad or in Sweden. All teaching is conducted in English.

Knowledge and skills developed

The programme provides students with a multidisciplinary understanding of Asia’s diverse and dynamic societies, economies, and political systems. It cultivates strong analytical and methodological abilities preparing graduates for careers in policy analysis, diplomacy, journalism, development cooperation, or for
further doctoral studies.

Through opportunities to do fieldwork, exchange studies, or internships, students gain practical experience and professional competence, enabling them to apply
academic insights in real-world contexts. Graduates are well prepared for positions across the public, private, and non-governmental sectors, both in Sweden and
internationally.

Year 1

Semester 1

The courses below are also open for registration for students in the department's other master's programs.

Period A-B

Global Asia: economy and politics in East and Southeast Asia, 15 credits (Subject: Political Science).

Period C

Law, Culture and Society in Asia, 7.5 credits (Subject: Political Science and Law)

Period D

International Relations and Security in East and Southeast Asia, 7,5 credits (Subject: Political Science).

Semester 2

Period A

Transnational Migration and Labour in Asia, 7,5 credits (Subject: Social Anthropology).

Period B

Autocracy, democracy, and development in East and Southeast Asia, 7,5 credits (Subject: Political Science).

Period C-D

Political Science Methods, 15 credits (Subject: Political Science).

Year 2

Semester 3

Master's Thesis in Political Science with a Specialisation in Global Asia, 30 credits (Subject: Political Science).

Semester 4

Internship, Exchange studies, Field work or Elective courses





Read our step-by-step guide on how to apply

Admission to the International Master's Programme in Political Science is done once a year, for the autumn semester. All applications are to be submitted electronically through universityadmissions.se (English) or antagning.se (Swedish).

Please note that all parts of the application must be submitted directly to universityadmissions.se or antagning.se. No documentation should be sent to the department.

The Master's programmes in English are only open for admission in the international admission's round.

The general requirement to study a Master's programme in Sweden is a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher learning, corresponding to at least 180 credits in the European Credit Transfer System.

The specific requirement for the International Master's Programme in Political Science with specialization in Global Asian Studies is a Bachelor's degree in a social science subject along with Swedish upper secondary school course
English B, or equivalent.

We make a selection among the eligable applicants. The selection of students is based on grades of academic courses.

If you have questions about the admissions process or the general eligability, please contact University Admissions, or the Admissions Office at Stockholm University (study@su.se).

If you have questions about the specific requirements, the selection process or the programme, please contact master@statsvet.su.se.

Kindly note: If the university where you gained your Bachelor’s degree does not implement the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), alongside your academic transcript you will need to submit a statement detailing how the credit system from the university in question corresponds to the ECTS. The statement should contain the following information:

  • Your personal information
  • The name of your degree
  • How many credits within your university’s system equals 1, 7.5 and 30 ECTS
  • If applicable, how many credits a semester of full-time studies entail at the university which issued your Bachelor’s degree, stated both in credits of the original system, and in ECTS

The statement should be signed and stamped by an official person at your degree issuing university, such as a study counsellor, administrator, Director of Studies etc.

Additional eligibility criteria



Stockholm Center for Global Asia

The programme is hosted by Stockholm Center for Global Asia, which serves as its academic home and hub for teaching, research, and intellectual exchange. The Center’s research focus spans social science disciplines, and research interest, in issues of democratization, autocratization, human rights, development studies, international politics, and studies of migration.

Students benefit from the academic environment, with seminars, workshops and conferences featuring both international scholars and Stockholm University researchers. Master’s students are encouraged to participate in these activities, gaining access to a research community that bridges teaching, scholarship, and professional practice.



Meet our teachers

Our teachers include experts in a wide range of topics within the field, who continually update their knowledge in their areas of specialization in order to share their expertise with you as a student. Learn more



A degree in Political Science from Stockholm University opens doors to meaningful and globally relevant careers. According to a 2025 Alumni Survey by the Department of Political Science, most graduates find qualified employment within a few months after graduation. Many work in business, government, or national and international organizations, while others pursue further academic studies in Sweden or abroad.

Graduates from the International Master’s Programme in Political Science with Specialization in Global Asian Studies (STVAS) are well positioned for careers in the public, private, or non-governmental sectors. With its regional focus on Asia’s politics, societies and political economies, the programme prepares students for roles in embassies, NGO’s multinational companies, and international organisations requiring specialised knowledge of East and Southeast Asia.