South and Southeast Asian Studies (BA)

Why Leiden University

What makes South and Southeast Asian Studies at Leiden University remarkable?

• You will study with internationally acclaimed lecturers and researchers, at the oldest university of the Netherlands (founded 1575), which has a long-standing tradition in teaching and research on South and Southeast Asian topics.
• We offer ambitious, high-quality education, based on our lecturers’ top-level research.
• We support our students in acquiring valuable academic and professional skills, including critical thinking and the ability to present ideas clearly to different audiences.
• Our programme is characterised by a personal approach. You will work in small groups of students and in close contact with the lecturers, who will challenge you to give the best of yourself.
• Leiden is a friendly, historic city.

Study at a world-class university

Leiden University is a world-class university that is one of the oldest in Europe. Founded in 1575, we have consistently been building a solid position of scholarly authority that is recognised in the academic and professional worlds. Leiden, and particularly its Faculty of Humanities, is rated consistently high in all the major Dutch and international rankings, with the Faculty of Humanities as one of its top-tier departments.

Our academic staff includes many scholars with an excellent international reputation. Their research contributes to the debates that our societies engage in every day. As a student, you will be able to participate in that research, as our staff integrate their latest insights into their lectures.

Independent thinker

We care about our students and will do everything we can to give you the best possible support. As a university, we are committed to freedom: freedom of spirit, thinking and expression, and we will challenge you to become an independent thinker.

Diversity and inclusion

We are convinced that our education can only flourish if everyone within the programme feels supported, respected and empowered to do their best work. We find it important to offer a learning environment that allows for the different perspectives and points of view that students bring with them, depending on their ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, health, religion, age or socio-economic background. LU firmly stands for its diversity policy, which aims at creating a diverse and inclusive learning and working environment for all our staff and students. 

More reasons to choose Leiden University.

Discover the world at the Faculty of Humanities

Our time is dynamic and complex, with many challenges for which we need to find a solution. These solutions can be found by people with the knowledge that comes from a relevant, high quality education. The Faculty of Humanities offers that kind of education. The wide range of subjects studied at our faculty includes many languages, cultures, art en societies from across the world, from prehistoric times until today. Our education and research are inspired by ambition and passion and by commitment to our students. This has led to consistently high national and international rankings. 

In this era of globalisation, the humanities are more important than ever. Climate change, security, migration, integration, trade, and technology are blurring the borders between countries and cultures. In order to be able to cooperate and live together, it is crucial that we understand each other. Humanities offer the insights we need for that. By choosing for a programme at the Leiden Faculty of Humanities, you become part of an international academic community which helps you to develop a critical mind and supports you to be your best.