NUS Launches New Masters Program On South Asian Geopolitics

• National University of Singapore launches Master of Social Science in Geopolitics of South Asia (MSS-GSA), a one-of-its-kind program in ASEAN focused exclusively on South Asia’s evolving regional dynamics.
• Developed by NUS’s South Asian Studies Programme and ISAS, the one-year course combines political science, economics, and international relations to analyze the subcontinent’s strategic, economic, and cultural shifts.
• Applications for the August 2026 intake open from Nov 1, 2025, to Feb 14, 2026, with tuition rebates available; the program prepares students for careers in diplomacy, media, consulting, and academia.

As power dynamics continue to shift globally, South Asia is at the forefront of this change. With India as its anchor and nearly two billion people, the subcontinent has emerged as a hub for global economics, trade, and diplomacy. With maritime strategies in the Indo-Pacific and cross-border infrastructure, security issues, and digital transformations, South Asia's geopolitics extend their influence far beyond the subcontinent. In today's fast-changing world, the skill to decipher regional trends and forecast geopolitical developments has become crucial for policymakers, journalists, investors, and scholars alike.

For those who want to excel in this realm of history, policy, and power, the question now is not why study South Asia, but where to study South Asia. The National University of Singapore (NUS) provides a perfect platform to understand the intricacies of South Asia's geopolitics. Strategically located at the intersection of South and Southeast Asia, NUS has gained international acclaim for academic distinction, cross-disciplinary research, and an emphasis on policy-relevant research.

Under its Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS), the recently introduced Master of Social Science in Geopolitics of South Asia (MSS-GSA) draws on NUS's tradition of leadership and innovation in regional studies. Conceived by the South Asian Studies Programme in association with the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS) an internationally renowned think tank the programme balances rigorous academic underpinnings with real-world insight into the issues that are molding the future of South Asia.

The MSS-GSA is a one-year, full-time Master's by coursework that delivers breadth and depth across various geopolitical topics. Its course of study combines political science, economics, sociology, and international relations to enable students to understand the political, developmental, and ideological processes remapping South Asia's position in a changing world order.

Differing from traditional area studies programmes, this degree provides a dual viewpoint blending an insider's comprehension of South Asia's internal processes with the outside analytical viewpoint provided by Singapore's strategic location. This two-lens approach allows students to learn about the geopolitics of the region from historical, socio-economic, and policy perspectives, preparing them to analyze regional developments with accuracy and subtlety.

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What distinguishes this program specifically is its specialized, interdisciplinary design and its single-region South Asia-focus, the sole such specialization within the ASEAN region. It is tailored for students aiming to bring academic know-how into professional skills in fields like diplomacy, media, consulting, academia, and international organizations. The program also provides time to study South Asian languages like Tamil or Hindi, enabling non-native speakers to participate more meaningfully in the region's linguistic and cultural diversities a great asset for careers that require cross-cultural communication.

The MSS-GSA course is provided in full-time (12 months) and part-time (24 months) modes with the need to complete 40 units of coursework comprising two compulsory modules The Making of Modern South Asia and Introduction to the Geopolitics of South Asia and a variety of electives across the subjects of history, politics, and international relations. They should be in possession of a Bachelor's degree in the social sciences, area studies, humanities, or related areas, and previous exposure to South Asian or Asian topics is desirable. Professionals with work experience can also apply, as per evaluation by NUS FASS. For individuals whose previous education was not in English, evidence of proficiency in English through TOEFL or IELTS is necessary.

Applications for the August 2026 intake will be open from November 1, 2025, to February 14, 2026. The full-time and part-time students' tuition fee is S$38,150 (including GST), with tuition rebates of up to 40% for applicable Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, and NUS alumni. With its balance of intellectual rigor, local connectedness, and practical relevance, the Master of Social Science in Geopolitics of South Asia at NUS places future scholars and professionals at the leading edge of understanding and explaining one of the world's most important regions.