MASTER OF ASEAN STUDIES



Programme Overview

The Master in ASEAN Studies (MAS) programme provides an advanced level understanding of the political, strategic, economic, and security forces that has shaped ASEAN as well as the wider changing dynamics that continue to impact the Southeast Asian region.


It does so through a consideration of four aspects of ASEAN:


  • To offer an analysis of the historical, political and strategic, social and cultural forces that have shaped Southeast Asia as a region;
  • To consider the contested nature of theoretical concepts - how the same basic categories are understood in partially different ways in competing theoretical approaches to regionalism and regionalisation, and how some concepts belong more to some theories than to others;
  • To assess the institutional arrangements, changing policy agenda and governance issues of the ASEAN; and
  • To compare the key characteristics of ASEAN with analogous developments in regional associations elsewhere around the world.


Full-Time Duration: 3 Semesters (Coursework) 

Programme Structure 

  1. QQX7007 - Regionalism and Regionalisation (3 Credits)
  2. QQD7008 - The Making of Modern Southeast Asia (3 Credits)
  3. QQD7009 - ASEAN and Regional Security (3 Credits)
  4. QQD7010 - ASEAN and Economic Integration (3 Credits)

Elective Courses **

  1. QQB7007 - Regionalism in Europe (3 Credits)
  2. QQB7008 - Modern Europe (3 Credits)
  3. QQD7013 - Development and Governance of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in ASEAN (3 Credits)
  1. QQX7001 - Research Methodology (3 Credits)
  2. QQX7006 - Political Economy of Asia-Europe Relations (3 Credits)
  3. QQX7008 - Comparative Regionalism (3 Credits)
  4. QQD7007 - ASEAN Regionalism (3 Credits)
  5. QQD7014 - Research Project* (6 Credits)

Elective Courses **

  1. QQB7009 - Regional Security in Europe (3 Credits)
  2. QQB7010 - Economic Integration in Europe (3 Credits)
  3. QQD7012 - Digital Economy in ASEAN (3 Credits)
  1. QQD7014 - Research Project* (6 Credits)

Elective Courses **

  1. QQX7009 - Internship (6 Credits)


Note:

* 12 credits divided into 2 semesters: 12/2 = 6 credits

 ** To choose 6 credit hours of elective course from either Sem. 1 / Sem.2 / Sem.3


Career Prospects

Diplomat/Foreign Service Officer, International Relations Specialist, ASEAN Policy Advisor/Analyst, Regional, Development Consultant, NGO Program Manager, Trade and Economic Advisor, Cultural Affairs Specialist, Public Affairs Consultant, Regional Security Analyst, Economic Development Specialist, Researcher/Academic, International Business Consultant, Journalist/Editor specializing in ASEAN Affairs, Global Development Manager, Government Relations Specialist.

          

Tuition Fee

Local

RM25,800

International

RM33,200

Intake

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

Entry Requirement

General Entry Requirements
  • For applicants with a CGPA of not less than 3.00:
    • Possess a Bachelor’s Degree with a CGPA of not less than 3.00; or
  • For applicants with a CGPA of 2.50 – 2.99 (must fulfill at least one of the following): 
    • Graduate from Universiti Malaya; or
    • Accumulate at least one (1) year of work experience in related fields; or
    • Produce publications in related field; or
    • Receive a scholarship; or
    • Serve as a staff member of a government agency; or
    • Pass an interview conducted by the Faculty; or
    • Pass a special evaluation by the Faculty
Specific Entry Requirements
  • General University Requirements: Fulfill the General University Requirements
  • Bachelor’s Degree Qualification: Possess a Bachelor's Degree
  • Equivalent Qualification: N/A
  • Related fields: Possess a Bachelor's Degree in any field from the university listed in UK Narik database
  • Special Requirements: N/A
English Requirements
  • Malaysia University English Test (MUET): Band 4.0; or
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic: Band 6.0; or
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) – Paper-Based Test (PBT): Not applicable; or
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) – Internet-Based Test (IBT) (Centre-Based): Score 60; or
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) – Computer-Based Test (CBT): Not applicable; or
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) – Essential Online: Score 8.5; or
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: Score 59; or
  • Cambridge English Qualifications and Tests – Linguaskill Online: Not applicable; or
  • Cambridge English – B1 Preliminary, B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency: Score 169; or
  • Cambridge English – B2 Business Vantage, C1 Business Higher: Not applicable; or
  • Occupational English Test (OET) (Conventional / Online): Score 250; or
  • Cambridge English: First (FCE): Not applicable; or
  • Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): Not applicable; or
  • Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE): Not applicable