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South Asian Studies (MA) (60EC)

The MA South Asian Studies at Leiden University is designed for students with an interest in studying South Asia from a range of perspectives including its history, literature, art, media, culture, religions, philosophy and philology.

Why study South Asian Studies at Leiden University?

This one-year master's programme in South Asian Studies offers you a world-class qualification that combines a comparative and global approach with specialised and in-depth expertise. Expertise on Asia at Leiden University is internationally renowned and spans the whole of Asia. Small classes give you direct and regular contact with your lecturers. You will learn from some of Europe's best scholars in the field, many of whom are at the leading edge of Asia-related research.

Knowledge of an Asian language is not required for this master’s programme, but you do have the option of taking an intensive Hindi, Sanskrit or Tibetan language course. These courses are taken instead of an elective in both the first and second semesters.

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What are your career prospects?

As a graduate of the MA in Asian Studies, you are qualified to work within a variety of fields where there is a demand for expertise in Asia, including journalism and publishing, international trade and marketing, business, public relations, education and development aid, and in government, international organisations and NGOs.

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Is South Asian Studies the programme for you?

A flexible degree format allows you to tailor your degree to reflect your interests or specific career goals. Choose from a broad range of electives, select your own area of research for your MA thesis, and focus your studies on a language and a single country, or on a specific discipline and region. Do you want to find out if you are eligible for this Master's Programme?

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A centre of expertise on languages and cultures of the world

When it comes to languages and cultures, Leiden University is the university. The global expertise present places our university at the top. In Leiden and The Hague, we study languages and cultures from all regions of the world and from prehistory to the present day. In this way we create a broad view of the world; the key to mutual understanding.

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