Asian Studies (research) (MA)
Designed for high-achieving students, Leiden University’s research MA Asian Studies offers access to unique resources and expertise. Asian Studies at Leiden University has a reputation for excellence that is unmatched in Europe.
Why study Asian Studies (research) at Leiden University?
You can explore subjects that span virtually entire region both in time and geography. This two-year research master's degree allows you to focus on a country or region such as China, Japan or Korea; or South or Southeast Asia; or on a discipline such as history, politics, international relations, political economy, literature or languages. A key feature is our comparative approach to learning, which includes intra-Asian comparisons, as well as comparisons of Asia with other regions in the world, such as, for example, the Middle East. The programme co-operates closely with the MA Middle Eastern Studies (research) programme: the programmes have the same structure and share two courses, a common introductory course on Area Studies and one on Methodologies in the Humanities and Social Sciences.
The courses in the first year of the programme develop your academic skills to an advanced level. In the second year, you will do research on a topic related to Asia and, where appropriate and possible, in a specific place in Asia. You may also combine this research with attending courses at another top university, here or abroad.
Learn more about the study programme
What are your career prospects?
Our graduates have pursued successful careers in the public, private and non-profit sectors for which knowledge of the Asia and advanced conceptual, analytical and interpretative skills are essential. Graduates have also gone on to pursue a PhD and a career in academia. If you wish to pursue an academic career, your Master's is excellent preparation for a PhD programme or a career in a research agency or the research department of a company or a governmental or non-governmental organisation.
Find out more about your career prospects
Aurelie van 't Slot
Graduated in Asian Studies Research
"Although most research master students have the ambition to pursue an academic career, I believe that the advanced conceptual, analytical and interpretative skills gained during the programme are extremely valuable in any given professional setting."
Is Asian Studies (research) the programme for you?
Are you interested in Asia and do you want to know more about the histories, literatures, societies, economies and politics of one or more regions of this vast continent? Are you an excellent student with an inquisitive mind? Then click below to find out if you are eligible for this Master’s Programme!