BACHELOR OF ARTS SOUTHEAST ASIAN STUDIES



Programme Overview

The programme intends to provide a space for the development of teaching and learning, emphasizing on the studies of the region including its politics, economy, culture and security.


Using the multi-disciplinary approach of considering issues and application, students in the initial stage are required to take two Departmental core subjects including South East Asian languages. Students in their final year of study are required to take the research paper component.


Duration:  3.5 Years (7 Semesters), Full time (Coursework)

Programme Structure

  1. Philosophy and Current Issues
  2. Basic Entrepreneurship Culture
  3. Introduction to Southeast Asian 1
  4. Package Core Courses: Choose 1 Course - Refer to the attached list
  5. Program Elective Courses: Choose 1 Course - Refer to the attached list
  6. University Elective Course (SHE): Student Attribute Improvement Course 1
  7. Appreciation of Ethics and Civilizations
  8. Malay Language Communication*
  9. English Communication Course / Foreign Language
  10. Co-Curriculum
  11. Community Building, Social Action and Innovation
  12. Introduction to Southeast Asian Region II
  13. Package Core Courses: Choose 1 Course - Refer to the attached list
  14. Program Elective Courses: Choose 1 Course - Refer to the attached list
  15. University Elective Course: Student Attribute Improvement Course 2
  1. Digital Humanities
  2. Theory and Approaches to Development
  3. Politics and Government In Southeast Asia
  4. Economic Development in Southeast Asia
  5. Package Core Courses: Choose 1 Course - Refer to the attached list
  6. Specialization Elective Courses: Choose 3 Course - Refer to the attached list
  7. University Elective Course (SHE): Student Attribute Improvement Course 3
  8. English Communication Course / Foreign Language II
  9. Maritime Economy in Southeast Asia
  10. Research Methodology
  11. Package Core Courses: Choose 1 Course - Refer to the attached list
  12. Specialization Elective Courses: Choose 3 Course - Refer to the attached list
  13. University Elective Course (SHE): Student Attribute Improvement Course 4
  1. Ethnicity, Identity and Politics of Minorities in Southeast Asia
  2. Migration and Development in Southeast Asia
  3. Research Project (P1)
  4. Specialization Elective Courses: Choose 3 Course - Refer to the attached list
  5. Southeast Asia in a Global Economy
  6. Seminar on Southeast Asia
  7. Research Project (P2)
  8. Program Elective Courses: Choose 1 Course - Refer to the attached list
  9. Specialization Elective Courses: Choose 2 Course - Refer to the attached list
  1. Industrial Training

Note:

*Courses for International Students

Students may choose ten (10) Courses from one of the (1) specialization elective/ university minor packages offered. Refer to the list of Student Attribute Enhancement Courses (SHE) provided by CITRA.


Students can choose one (1) of the Core Packages offer.


ELECTIVE COURSE

Choose THREE (3) Only


  1. Development of Small and Medium Industry and Enterprise in Southeast Asia
  2. ASEAN in a Globalised World
  3. Asian Emporium
  4. Maritime World and Globalization in Southeast Asia
  5. Social Movements in Southeast Asia
  6. Marine Resource Management in Southeast Asia
  7. Performing Arts of Southeast Asia
  8. Culture and Society in Southeast Asia
  9. Political Development in Southeast Asia
  10. Social Entrepreneurship in Southeast Asia
  11. Security and Globalisation in Southeast Asia
  12. Political Theory and Ideology in Southeast Asia
  13. Southeast Asian Theatre
  14. Cultural Tourism in Southeast Asia
  15. Political Economy of Southeast Asia
  16. Environment and Development in Southeast Asia
  17. ASEAN and Regionalism
  18. Ocean Governance in Southeast Asia
  19. Maritime Tourism Development in Southeast Asia
  20. Electoral System and Democratisation in Southeast Asia
  21. Field Studies in Southeast Asia
  22. Coastal Management in Southeast Asia
  23. Labour Markets in Southeast Asia
  24. Heritage of Southeast Asia

Filipino Package

  1. Filipino Language IA
  2. Filipino Language IB
  3. Filipino Language IIA
  4. Filipino Language IIB

Burmese Package

  1. Burmese Language IA
  2. Burmese Language IB
  3. Burmese Language IIA
  4. Burmese Language IIB

Thai Package

  1. Thai Language IA
  2. Thai Language IB
  3. Thai Language IIA
  4. Thai Language IIB

Core Course

  1. Introduction to Southeast Asian Region I
  2. Introduction to Southeast Asian Region II
  3. Theory and Approaches to Development
  4. Politics and Government in Southeast Asia
  5. Economic Development in Southeast Asia
  6. Maritime Economy in Southeast Asia
  7. Ethnicity, Identity and Politics of Minorities in Southeast Asia
  8. Migration and Development in Southeast Asia
  9. Southeast Asia in a Global Economy
  10. Seminar on Southeast Asia
  11. Research Project
  12. Industrial Training
  13. International Security
  14. Foreign Policy of Malaysia
  15. Foreign Policies of Major Powers
  16. Practice of Diplomacy
  17. Research Project
  18. Industrial Training

Career Prospects

Academic Researcher, Business Development Manager, Cultural Consultant, Cultural Heritage Manager, Development Project Manager, Diplomat or Foreign Service Officer, Environmental Consultant, International Trade Specialist, Language Specialist, Maritime Policy Analyst, Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Specialist, Policy Advisor, Social Entrepreneur, Southeast Asia Regional Analyst, Tourism Development Officer.

Tuition Fee

Local

RM54,800

(Note: This fee is not applicable for UPU applicant)

International

RM60,900

Intake

Semester 2 (March) Intake, Academic Session 2025//2026

Entry Requirement

STPM
  • Malaysian citizen
  • Obtain a minimum CGPA of 3.00
  • Obtained a minimum Grade B- in TWO (2) Subjects
  • Stream: Art and Science stream
Matriculation / Foundation
  • Malaysian citizen
  • Obtain a minimum CGPA of 3.00 a recognised institution approved by UM Senate
  • Obtained a minimum Grade B- in TWO (2) subjects
  • Stream: Art and Science stream
STAM
  • Malaysian Citizen
  • Obtained a minimum grade of Jayyid Jiddan at Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM)
  • Obtain a minimum grade of Jayyid in TWO (2) subjects at the STAM level
Diploma / Equivalent
  • Malaysian citizen
  • Obtain a minimum CGPA of 3.00 a recognised institution approved by UM Senate
  • Obtain a minimum grade of B- in TWO (2) subjects at the Diploma level
UM SATU Foundation
  • Malaysian citizen
  • Obtain a minimum CGPA of 3.00
  • Obtain a minimum grade of B- in TWO (2) subjects
GEC A-Level
  • Malaysian citizen
  • Obtain a recognized GCE A-Level qualification
  • Obtain a minimum grade of B in TWO (2) subjects
International Baccalaureate
  • Malaysian citizen
  • Obtain a minimum score of 30 points
  • Obtain at least Grade 5 (HL) / 6 (SL) in TWO (2) subjects.
AUSMAT
  • Malaysian citizen
  • Obtain a minimum score of 80 in the Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR).
  • Obtain a minimum grade of B in TWO (2) subjects
Senior High School Certificate (SHSC)
  • Pass with a minimum average of 65%
  • Obtain a minimum of 60%/grade B- in any TWO (2) subjects
Matriculation / Foundation
  • Obtain a minimum CGPA of 3.00 from a recognised institution approved by UM Senate
  • Obtain a minimum of grade B- in any TWO (2) subjects
Diploma
  • Obtain a minimum CGPA of 3.00 from a recognised institution approved by UM Senate
  • Obtain a minimum of grade B- in any TWO (2) subjects
GEC A-Level
  • Obtain a recognize GCE A-Level Qualification
  • Obtain a minimum of grade B in any TWO (2) subjects
International Baccalaureate (IB)
  • Obtain a minimum score of 30 points
  • Obtain at least Grade 5 (HL) / 6 (SL) in any TWO (2) subjects
AUSMAT
  • Obtain a minimum score of 80 in the Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR)
  • Obtain a minimum grade B in any TWO (2) subjects
Additional Requirements:
  • Candidates who apply must be physically fit, not suffering from any mental or physical illness and able to follow the program of study designed for this course.

English Language Requirements

  • Obtain a minimum of Band 3.0 in MUET for examinations starting from Session 1 of the year 2021, or Band 3.0 for examinations up to the year 2020, according to the validity period on the date of application
  • However, applicants without MUET but with the following results may be considered for conditional admission, provided they fulfill the MUET requirement within ONE (1) academic session:
    • Obtain at least Band 4.5 (Academic) in IELTS;
    • Obtain a minimum score of 33 in TOEFL iBT (Centre-based)
  • Obtained a minimum English language Competency in any ONE (1) of the following requirements:
    • MUET 4.0
    • IELTS (Academic) 6.0
    • TOEFL iBT (Centre-based) 60
    • TOEFL Essentials (Online) 8.5
    • Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) 59
    • Cambridge English Qualifications & Tests B1 Preliminary, B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency 169