Master

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The Master’s in Asian Studies at Leiden University is your opportunity to earn a specialized qualification from one of the leading centers for Asian studies in Europe.

Why study Asian Studies at Leiden University

The Asian Studies master's program offers one-year specializations in East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the History, Arts, and Culture of Asia, and the Politics, Society and Economy of Asia, as well as two-year specializationsin in China, Japan*, Korea. 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, many of whom are at the leading edge of Asia-related research worldwide.

During your studies, you have the opportunity to develop your fluency in a classical or modern language. You also have the option to take an intensive modern Indonesian language course.

The MA in Asian Studies programme at Leiden University offers an outstanding qualification from one of the leading centres for Asian studies in Europe.

Expertise on Asia at Leiden University is internationally renowned and spans the whole of Asia. Learn from some of Europe's best scholars in the field. Small classes give you direct and regular contact with your lecturers, many of whom are at the leading edge of Asia-related research. All programmes make the most of Leiden University's world-class resources, including its famous collections of Asian artifacts.

With an expansive curriculum and flexible programme formats, you have the scope to tailor your qualification to reflect your interests or career ambitions. Choose to focus on a language and a single country, or on a specific discipline and region.

An important goal of many programmes is developing your fluency in a classical or modern language. You also have the option of taking an intensive modern Indonesian language course.

Curriculum

You are eligible to apply for the MA Asian Studies (60 EC) if you have:

a bachelor’s degree from a Dutch research university in the specialisation Chinese Studies, Japanese Studies, Korean Studies or South and Southeast Asian Studies; or

a bachelor’s degree from a research university, equivalent to the level of a Dutch academic bachelor’s degree, in the field of Humanities or Social Sciences and completed at least 30 EC (or equivalent) in courses at the bachelor’s level on the history, art and/or culture of one or more East, South or Southeast Asian countries or regions (this may include the thesis); and

knowledge of the nature and role of as well as the ability to analyze and report on academic inquiry in the humanities or social sciences.

The Board of Admissions will assess whether your degree and background are sufficiently related to the level and content of a bachelor’s degree from a Dutch research university in Chinese Studies, Japanese Studies, Korean Studies, or South and Southeast Asian Studies based on the requirements specified above.

Students with a Bachelor in South and Southeast Asian Studies from Leiden University are directly eligible for admission. Students can apply in Studielink. There is no need to submit an application for admission using the online application portal.

Bachelor’s degree from a University of Applied Sciences (HBO)

Applicants with a degree from a Dutch University of Applied Sciences (HBO) or equivalent are not eligible for admission to the Master’s and pre-master’s programs.

Admissions Option 2

Gallery

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.

Some of the occupations of our graduates include:

Project manager at a trading and consultancy company in India

PhD student in South Asian Studies at the University of Edinburgh

Consultant at a defence and security company

Communications officer at an animation studio in Japan

Relations management officer at an organisation promoting internationalisation in education

Senior assistant director at the Singaporean Ministry of Education

Career Opportunities

Social Sciences

Area studies

Asian Studies

Are you curious, critical and involved in the world around you? At Leiden University, the oldest university in the Netherlands, you can make a valuable contribution to tackling the various national and international challenges facing modern society. Together with academics and fellow students from all over the world, you will actively address these challenges. We keep an open mind, do not shy away from difficult discussions and allow one another the space to disagree. We expect the same active, open-minded and critical attitude from you. We challenge you to look beyond your own boundaries. Leiden University welcomes anyone who wants to achieve their full potential. Our modest community size in the historical cities of Leiden and The Hague creates a highly personal and committed atmosphere. Together, we map out a learning path that suits you and your ambitions. You will also be encouraged to conduct research in cooperation with eminent and enthusiastic scholars. The knowledge and skills you develop here will benefit you for the rest of your life, regardless of the career path you choose!

MA Asian Studies

Introduction

Why study Asian Studies at Leiden University

Curriculum

Admissions

Gallery

Career Opportunities

Where do our graduates work

About the School

Questions