The MA in History, Arts and Culture of Asia is designed for students interested in taking a humanities-related approach to the study of countries or regions in pre-modern, modern or contemporary Asia.
Why study History, Arts and Culture of Asia at Leiden University?
With an expansive curriculum, this one-year master's gives students the opportunity to delve deep into their specific disciplinary area of interest within the field of Asian Studies. Explore the countries of your choice from a wide range of disciplinary perspectives, including history, literature, art history, critical heritage, media and culture, and religion.
Within the master's in History, Arts and Culture of Asia, knowledge of an Asian language is not required, but you have the opportunity to broaden your skillset by taking an intensive modern language course at beginner’s level in Sanskrit, Indonesian, Tibetan or Hindi.
You also have the opportunity to earn a dual degree by following the focus Critical Heritage Studies of Asia and Europe at one of Leiden University's partner universities in Asia, earning you an additional MA in Heritage Studies on top of your MA in Asian Studies. Knowledge of an Asian language is not required for this master’s programme.
Your expertise in Asia will qualify you for jobs in a variety of fields where there is demand for expertise in Asia, including journalism, publishing, international trade, marketing, business, public relations, education, development aid, and in government, non-profit and international organisations.
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.
Video: Our experts on Languages and Cultures explain
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Leiden University offers ambitious students a world-class academic environment in which to develop their area of expertise.
Top-ranked university
Leiden University's Faculty of Humanities consistently ranks among the top 30 humanities faculties worldwide by the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings. Here, you can access resources found nowhere else in the world, such as Leiden University's famous collections of Asian artefacts; learn from researchers whose expertise spans all corners of Asia; and choose from an expansive curriculum that includes specialised subjects not available elsewhere.
Close, individual tuition
At Leiden, we take a student-centred approach to learning. Teaching takes the form of small-scale lectures, seminars and tutorials, where every student has the opportunity to participate in debates and share their ideas. A high level of focused attention from lecturers also keeps you engaged and on track to meet your goals. A flexible programme format means that whatever your interests or career goals, our faculty members can help you customise the programme to meet these requirements.
Access to the Humanities Hub labs
As a Humanities master’s student you will have access to the Humanities Hub which comprises labs with digital facilities for both students and researchers. The labs include an AI Lab, Media lab, film studio and podcast studio and give you the opportunity to develop your digital and media skills within the field of the humanities. Check the Humanities Hub page for a full list of all the labs and facilities.
Humanities Hub Leiden
An excellent start to your career
Our reputation as a centre of excellence means that your qualification is respected by organisations worldwide. Our graduates enjoy successful careers thanks to their broad and global mind-sets, specialised and in-depth knowledge, and strong critical-thinking skills.The success of our alumni speaks for itself: our graduates are equipped to solve the challenges facing society now and in the future.
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 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. Every new generation sees the world from a new perspective – and our students are the newest generation. We look forward to hearing more about your perspective. Leiden University has been pursuing diversity policy since 2014, with the aim of creating a diverse and inclusive learning and working environment for all staff and students.
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The one-year master's in History, Arts and Culture, a specialisation of Leiden University’s MA in Asian Studies, allows you to focus on one or more countries or regions of pre-modern, modern or contemporary Asia.
The curriculum of the MA in History Arts and Culture of Asia consists of core courses, electives, and a master's thesis. The programme’s modular structure, which includes elective courses in each of the two semesters and an individually supervised thesis, gives you considerable freedom to tailor the curriculum.
The first semester consists of the compulsory core course Introduction to Asian Studies that all students of the MA in Asian Studies have to take. You must also choose two or more elective courses that introduce the issues, debates and methodologies of one of the humanities disciplines within Asian Studies.
If you start the programme in the spring semester (February), you will take the Introduction to Asian Studies in your second semester.
In your second semester you will again take one or two electives for a minimum of 15 EC, or fulfill this partially by an internship, and write your MA-Thesis (15 EC).
If you have a special interest in heritage studies, it is possible to focus on Critical Heritage studies of Asia and Europe within the History, Arts and Culture programme. Inspired and supported by the Asian Heritages research cluster of the International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS), these courses allow you to explore the contested character of all representations of culture, the plurality of notions of heritage in Asian and European contexts, and the way distinct and conflicting values of indigenous, local communities and official state discourses are negotiated.
The curriculum includes courses in critical approaches to heritage studies, and heritage and policy making, and a number of electives that focus on heritage management, specific subjects/regions of Asia, and/or the study of Asian languages.
In addition to the curriculum of the MA Asian Studies/HAC programme, there are two compulsory courses for the focus on Critical Heritage Studies:
In the first semester (start September), students should attend the course Critical Approaches to Heritage Studies, taught by Dr. Elena Paskaleva. This course is offered at the Faculty of Humanities.
In the second semester (start February), students should attend the course The Politics of Destruction: Targeting World Heritage, taught by Dr. Elena Paskaleva. This course is offered at the Faculty of Humanities.
Once a term, Professor Michael Herzfeld delivers a guest lecture and meets with all students during individual appointments. For more information regarding his visits, please contact Dr. Elena Paskaleva.
Following the MA degree at Leiden University, you also have the opportunity to pursue a Dual Degree Programme, which is offered by Leiden University, the International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS) and one of our Asian partner universities, including the National Taiwan University and Yonsei University in South Korea.
As far as certification in the Dual Degree Programme is concerned, upon successful completion you will have obtained two diplomas in total: the Leiden University MA diploma, the partner university MA diploma and a separate certificate for the programme in Critical Heritage Studies of Asia and Europe, issued by IIAS.
For more information about Critical Heritage Studies or the Dual Degree Programme, please contact dr. Elena Paskaleva. If you would like to apply for admission to Critical Heritage Studies, you are required to indicate this in your motivation letter with your application.
Course overview
For a more detailed programme, see the Prospectus.
Please note that this guide applies to the current academic year. This means that the programme for the coming year may differ.
The curriculum of the MA in History Arts and Culture of Asia consists of core courses, electives, and a master's thesis. The programme’s modular structure, which includes elective courses in each of the two semesters and an individually-supervised thesis, gives you considerable freedom to tailor the curriculum.
Anjitha Ajayan
Graduated in the Master's History, Arts and Culture of Asia
"The research exposure I gained from my Asian Studies program has been outstanding. The courses and teaching methods used by the faculty have significantly improved my critical thinking skills and have been thought-provoking. The variety of specializations allows students to choose courses that are suitable and relevant to their interests. I remember my thesis supervisor always encouraging me to consider the 'why' aspect of a problem, which has helped me view society more critically."
Anne Gerritsen
Professor of Kikkoman Chair for the study of Asia-Europe Intercultural Dynamics
“I challenge my students to take responsibility for their own choices, by letting them select their own objects of study from museum collections, and providing them with hands-on experiences in museums and storerooms.”
Admission and Application
Do you want to find out if you are eligible for this Master's Programme?
Get the most out of your studies at Leiden University by taking part in our extracurricular activities.
Asian Studies study associations
The Asian Studies department has four study associations related to the BA and MA programmes in Asian Studies: Siitaa (South and Southeast Asian Studies), SVS (Chinese Studies), LVSJK Tanuki (Japanese Studies), and S.V.K. Dokkaebi (Korean Studies). These associations organise educational and social activities such as parties and film nights, lectures, workshops and much more. Joining a study association is a great way to get to know fellow students and teachers outside of the academic setting.
Leiden Leadership Programme
Are you interested in developing your leadership potential? The Leiden Leadership Programme (LLP) is an Honours Programme specifically developed for ambitious master's students at Leiden University and the Delft University of Technology who recognise the importance of leadership abilities. The LLP offers in-depth training sessions, assessments, seminars, and the creation of a Personal Leadership Roadmap – a five-year plan for reaching and developing your leadership potential.
Study at the Academy of Creative and Performing Arts
The Academy of the Creative and Performing Arts (ACPA) is a research institute and part of the Faculty of Humanities. The ACPA offers education such as electives, and talent programmes such as the Practicum Artium (PA), which gives you the opportunity to study photography, graphic design or drawing, and the Practicum Musicae at the Royal Conservatoire The Hague, where you can study classical music, singing, early music or jazz. Find out more about ACPA.
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Se Young Jang is a historian of modern Korea and Northeast Asia, whose primary line of research centers on regional and global aspects of nuclear development – both civil and military – in Korea and its neighboring countries. View her full profile here.
Dr. E.G. Paskaleva
Elena Paskaleva is assistant professor in critical heritage studies of Asia and Europe. Her current research focuses on the material culture of Central Asia, and in particular on the history and socio-political importance of Timurid architecture. View her full profile here.
Your expertise in Asia will qualify you for jobs in a variety of fields where there is demand for expertise in Asia, including journalism, publishing, international trade, marketing, business, public relations, education, development aid, and in government, non-profit and international organisations.
Examples of the diverse roles of our graduates include:
Assistant curator at a Singaporean museum
Account manager at a translation agency
Quality analyst at an IT consultancy agency
Project manager at a trading and consultancy company in India
Owner of a consultancy firm
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
Customer service coordinator at a European rail travel company
Editor at an academic publishing house
Guest relations officer at a hospitality
Content editor at a booking website
Roshny Kohabir
Graduated in MA History, Arts and Culture of Asia (MA Asian Studies)
"The MA Asian Studies helped me to further develop and deepen various skills such as written and oral communication and presenting research results. Creativity and an open mind were a necessity when it came to creating a critical and analytical view during the process. I obtained these skills as a recent Humanities graduate, and used them during my activities as a writer for tender applications. Of course they will be of great use for my future career. As a very recent graduate of the Master’s program Asian Studies, I immediately began my search for a job opportunity that formed a connection between my passions and my skills."
Humanities skills
"After graduating the BA International Studies, I started the MA Asian Studies program. My choice was an easy and a logical one, I simply wished to dive in to South Asia more than I did during my Bachelors. It was the best choice I could have made. I grew, developed skills, obtained in-depth knowledge on diverse subjects, joined field trips and I had the opportunity to create my own program through the generous amount of electives and freedom."
Thesis vs. Passions
"My true passion I discovered during my academic career; “misunderstood Asian Art and traditions.” I wrote my thesis by reading numerous ancient Hindu literature books, and connecting various phenomena to contemporary affairs. I praise the University for its large library and collections. Without those collections my education and the process of writing my thesis would not have been the same."
Lisette Atsma
Graduated in MA History, Arts and Culture of Asia (MA Asian Studies)
"After graduating, I really didn’t know what I wanted to do, so I did all kinds of jobs to earn money. I hadn’t even considered earning my living in IT as an option until I saw friends getting jobs in the sector without specific training in the field. A friend worked at Sogeti and I decided I would also give it a try. I applied for a young professional position and was hired as a test engineer."
Skills I learned at Leiden University
"Asking critical questions is definitely something. But above all, I learned how to learn. At high school, everything came to me pretty easily, but at university, I really had to buckle down. Now that I’m studying again in addition to my work, I can use these study skills very well. I meet lots of people, mainly because I am always working at different companies. The work is creative and my background knowledge of both writing and graphic aspects is widely deployed. I have a good eye for detail, which means I can sometimes surprise people with the things I notice. That is of course nice as well."
In which sector do students find jobs?
26 %Governement and semi-government
14 %Education
12 %Financial institutions
7 %IT
7 %Culture, sports and recreation
5 %Industrial sector
5 %Research
5 %Consultancy
5 %Information management
14 %Other
Career preparation
Find out how this programme exactly prepares you for your future career and check our career preparation activities.
At Leiden University, we give you the tools to become a powerful critical thinker with a strong and relevant knowledge base. Graduates of the master's in Asian Studies understand the key academic approaches taken within Asian Studies across multiple disciplines, and how to use these concepts to conduct quality research. They have a wealth of practical and professional skills. These qualities amount to a highly attractive package for future employers.
Do you consider to put your knowledge into practice during your studies? Determine whether an internship could be an option for you. Start orientating your possibilities by visiting an internship information session. This way you can receive information about the internship procedure and listen to tips of former interns.
Notice that you will search for an internship yourself to find a place of your interest. Do you need some help with this or the application process? Do not hesitate to contact the Career Service. When you have found an internship, inform us. Then, the internship coordinator advises you how to proceed and provides your internship plan with feedback so it can be submitted for approval to the board of examiners.
Our staff can help you identify both the career that is right for you, and the necessary steps to get you there. Our team at Humanities Career Service provide all Leiden University humanities students with professional advice and guidance on everything from internships and career planning to job applications. Humanities Career Service also organises regular workshops on topics such as effective interview skills and creating a successful CV.
The Leiden University Career Zone is an online career portal that helps you to prepare for the job market. Here you can find information, tools and tips to help you gain more personal insight, learn about the job market, develop your application skills, plan your academic and professional career, find job vacancies and discover what the Career Service can do for you.
Join the Mentor Network to contact alumni with experience on the labour market and ask them for advice. More than 1200 alumni are happy to help you!
Jelle on finding an internship via Leiden University's Mentor Network
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Find out how to apply for History, Arts and Culture of Asia at Leiden University by following our step-by step guide.
This specialisation is part of the MA in Asian Studies (60 ec). If you would like to apply to this programme please first select the MA Asian Studies (60 ec) (CROHO code: 60839) in Studielink and then select History, Arts and Culture of Asia.
Step-by step guide
This guide clearly explains the steps you need to take to apply, and the subsequent admission process.
To be eligible for History, Arts and Culture of Asia at Leiden University, you must meet the following admission requirements.
Diploma requirements
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 components at the bachelor’s level (which may include the thesis) equivalent to at least 30 credits on the history, art and/or culture of one or more East, South or Southeast Asian countries or regions.
Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies who:
have completed all area courses for either East Asia or South and Southeast Asia, and
wrote their BA Thesis and/or completed optional courses worth 10 credits on either East Asia or South and Southeast Asia
are considered to have fulfilled all entry requirements.
knowledge of the nature and role of as well as the ability to analyse 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 on the basis of the requirements specified above.
Students with a Bachelor in Chinese Studies, Japanese Studies, Korean Studies or 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.
If you have a bachelor’s degree from a research university that does not meet the requirements specified above, you may be eligible for a pre-master’s programme tailored to your individual background. After submitting your application in Studielink, the Board of Admissions will decide whether you can be directly admitted to the master’s programme, whether you will first need to complete a pre-master’s programme, or whether your deficiencies are considered too extensive and you can therefore not be admitted at all. It is not possible to directly apply for a pre-master’s programme.
The language requirements for a pre-master's programme are identical to the language requirements for the master's programme for which admission has been requested. These requirements must be met before the start of the premaster.
Once you have completed the imposed pre-master’s programme, you will be admitted to the master’s programme. For more information about the individual pre-master’s programme, please contact the Study adviser.
Applicants with a degree from a Dutch university of applied sciences (hbo) relevant to Asian Studies can be admitted after completing an individual bridging programme of 60 EC. This programme always includes Core course: Introduction to Area Studies (5 EC), a course in Academic Skills (5 EC) and a pre-master final assignment (10 EC).
Language requirements
The following requirements apply*:
IELTS Academic modules only, on paper or on computer: 6.5 overall, with at least 6.0 for each separate component score.
We do not accept IELTS General Training, IELTS Indicator, or IELTS One Skill Retake
TOEFL internet based: 90 overall, with at least 20 for each separate component.
We are not able to accept The TOEFL IBT Home Edition™, except in the following situation only:
You are unable to take an in-person test on location because test centres are inaccessible or closed due to unsafe conditions in a country.
We do not accept the following types of test: TOEFL My Best™ scores (multiple test scores combined), TOEFL Essentials™ or institutional tests such as ITP.
Cambridge English Exam C2 Proficiency, or C1 Advanced (180), with a minimum score of 169 for each separate component.
Note that English test results may not be more than two years old and must be obtained in one single test.
*You do not have to submit an English proficiency test if you have completed your education in the USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Canada (except French-taught programmes in Canada) Singapore, South-Africa or Malta; or if you have obtained an English-taught International Baccalaureate™; or if you have completed a Dutch VWO diploma or an English-taught bachelor at a Dutch research university or (for September intake) a diploma of an English-taught higher professional education (hbo) programme completed at a Dutch university of applied sciences.
For detailed information, including exemption criteria and methods of submission, refer to English language proficiency.
Applicants who need a visa or residence permit or need to extend their residence permit must apply for admission before 1 April.
All other applicants must apply for admission before 15 May.
Starting in February
Applicants who need a visa or residence permit or need to extend their residence permit must apply for admission before 15 October.
All other applicants must apply for admission before 15 November.
Please note: You must submit your application via Studielink and Leiden University’s application system (uSis), before the deadlines mentioned above.
Other deadlines
Leiden University reserves a limited number of rooms each year for international students. However, as the number of housing requests always greatly exceeds the number of rooms available, we strongly recommend that you also look into other housing options at the same time. Read more about how and when to arrange housing. If you want to request accommodation via Leiden University, submit both your application for admission and your housing request well before the deadlines! Accommodation is offered on a first-come first-served basis and is not guaranteed. You don’t have to await admission before requesting housing.
If you want to apply for a scholarship, grant or loan, please bear in mind that different deadlines apply, and these deadlines can often be earlier. Deadlines vary per scholarship. Visit the scholarship website for more details.
When you apply for admission, you’ll be asked to submit several documents.
Note: If you have a Dutch diploma that grants direct admission, you will generally not be asked to submit additional documents.
Required application documents
You’ll need to submit the following documents:
You can apply for admission before receiving the results of your English language test. However, a sufficient result will then be a condition of your eventual admission. Of course, if you already have your English language test results, you can upload them directly.
Digital copies of diplomas and transcripts are initially required. Once you have been admitted, we will inform you how to submit certified copies.
The documents must be in the original language. If they are not in English, Dutch, German or French, they must be accompanied by official translations into one of these languages.
If you have not yet completed your current programme, state your expected graduation date and submit copies of all transcripts obtained to date plus a list of subjects still to be completed.
Additional requirements additional to History, Arts and Culture of Asia
You are required to upload additional information: 1) about your acquired knowledge, understanding and skills in the field of the Master’s programme you are applying for and 2) about your acquired general academic skills. You can upload this format Questionnaire Master Application.
You can check the programme specific requirements regarding knowledge, understanding and skills on the Admission Requirements page.
The format includes the list of general academic skills which the candidate must possess in order to be admitted to the Master’s programme at the Faculty of Humanities.
The application procedure is broken down into three parts.
Part 1. Application in Studielink
All students applying for a degree programme at Leiden University must start the application process in Studielink, the national online registration system for students wishing to follow a degree programme at a Dutch university. Studielink is open for applications from 1 October in the year preceding the academic year in which you wish to start.
1. Go toStudielink and enter your details according to the instructions provided. For this step you will need:
a copy of your valid passport or European ID card, or
Be aware! If you wish to apply for a specialisation of a master's programme: first select the master’s programme in Studielink, then select the specialisation for which you wish to apply in Step 4 (Institutional Questions) in Studielink.
2. Within two days you will receive:
an email with information on the next steps you'll need to take;
your university ULCN student account details (unless, of course, you already have a ULCN account)
the link to Leiden University’s online application portal (uSis)
After receiving your ULCN student account details, log into Leiden University’s online application portal (uSis), using the link provided. Here you can view the status of your application, which will be one of two possibilities.
1. You can be directly admitted
If your (Dutch) diploma grants you direct admission, Leiden University's online application portal (uSis) will let you know. The portal provides an overview of what you have to do to complete your application, for example arranging housing, scholarships, applying for a visa/residence permit and insurances. Please follow the instructions carefully and proceed to step 3 Student registration.
2. You cannot be directly admitted: additional action is required
If you do not have a (Dutch) diploma that grants you direct admission, we will require additional documents to allow us to decide about your application. The online application portal (uSis) will tell you this and explain how to do so. See also Part 2: Admission to Leiden University.
Part 2. Admission to Leiden University
If you cannot be directly admitted, you must apply for admission via Leiden University’s online application portal (uSis). Please follow all steps below.
In our online application portal (uSis) you can finalise your application by uploading the necessary documents and answering a few questions. This portal provides an overview of what you need to do to complete your admission application. Please follow the instructions carefully and make sure to include all the items that are asked for. We strongly recommend that you complete your application well in advance of the application deadline.
All applicants with an international degree must pay a non-refundable €100 application fee, which entitles you to apply for up to three programmes/specialisations in the same academic year. We cannot start processing your application until we receive this application fee, so please pay it as soon as possible. The online application system explains how you can pay it.
Can I be exempted from paying the application fee? You do not have to pay the application fee if:
You are following, or have completed, a bachelor’s degree at a Dutch university (of applied sciences).
You have previously registered as an exchange, bachelor’s, master’s or pre-master’s student at Leiden University.
You have previously been admitted to the same degree programme at Leiden University, but you decided to postpone your studies. This does not apply if you are applying for a different study programme or specialisation.
You have refugee status in the Netherlands (with a residence permit for asylum).
Exemptions cannot be granted for any other reasons.
After you have submitted your application, the online application portal (uSis) will, if applicable, ask you if you want to apply for student housing, a visa/residence permit or a scholarship. Be sure to make a careful note of the relevant deadlines for these options.
After receiving your application fee payment (if applicable), the Admissions Office will check whether all the necessary documents have been uploaded and they will inform you by email whether any further items are required. The Board of Admissions of the faculty will then:
decide whether you meet the admission requirements for the programme;
strive to issue a decision on your completed application within four to six weeks of the University receiving it.
Once a decision has been reached you will be informed by email. You can view your admission status in the online application portal (uSis).
There are three possible outcomes:
You are admitted
You have met all conditions for admission.
You are conditionally admitted
You will be admitted, provided that you meet certain conditions. These conditions will be specified in the online application portal (uSis).
You are not admitted
The reason(s) for non-admission will be clearly stated in the online application portal (uSis). If you are informed that you have been (conditionally) admitted, you will have to take a number of additional steps.
If you are (conditionally) admitted, the Admissions Office will ask you to confirm whether you will join the study programme. You can do so in the online application portal (uSis).
1. Go to ‘Application study programme’ in the online application portal (uSis).
2. Open the ‘Confirm’ screen. Here you will see three options:
Yes, I want to study at Leiden University.
No, I no longer wish to study at Leiden University and hereby withdraw my application.
Maybe later; I do not wish to start this semester/academic year. I would like to receive further instructions by email.
The sooner the better
Confirm attendance as soon as possible, to avoid missing other important deadlines and information about your study programme.
Changing your mind
You can still change your mind if necessary, either in uSis or by contacting the Admissions Office master team.
Deadline final decision
Do you need a student visa or residence permit? You can only request one after confirming attendance. So make sure to confirm attendance before the visa/residence permit deadline.
If you don’t need a visa or residence permit, the latest deadline for confirming attendance is before the start date of your study programme.
Part 3. Student registration
If you’ve been (conditionally) admitted, follow these steps to register as a student at Leiden University:
Check in the online application portal (uSis) whether you need to submit any documents to meet the conditions of your admission. Instructions on how to do so will be provided in uSis.
Arrange the payment of your tuition fee before the official start date of your programme. You will receive instructions and information on the available payment methods by email.
If you are an international student, go to the Prepare your stay page of our website for information about the practical matters you should take care of before and upon arrival. These include, for example, arranging housing, scholarships, applying for a visa/residence permit and insurances.
The pre-master's is a bridging programme for students who have applied for the MA Asian Studies, but who, according to the Board of Admissions, still have deficiencies in their educational background. Once you have completed the pre-master’s programme, you will be admitted to the relevant specialization of the Master’s programme.
Diploma requirements
students with an academic bachelor’s degree from a research university, equivalent to the level of a Dutch WO bachelor’s degree, who do not meet the admission requirements as specified for the master’s programme.
Students holding a Bachelor’s degree from a university of applied sciences (HBO) relevant to Asian Studies.
Applicants with a Dutch university of applied sciences bachelor’s degree (HBO) or those with a comparable degree, can expect, if considered eligible, to be assigned the full 60 EC pre-master programme.
English language requirements
The English language requirements for a pre-master's programme are identical to the language requirements for the master's programme for which admission has been requested. These requirements must be met before the start of the pre-master.
Application procedure pre-master programme
In order to apply for the pre-master programme, you must first apply for the master’s programme.
After submitting your application for the master programme in Studielink, the Board of Admissions will decide whether you can be directly admitted to the master’s programme, whether you will first need to complete a pre-master’s programme, or if you’re not eligible for either programme because the deficiencies are too extensive.
Students who have been offered a pre-master programme, will find the procedure for the registration into the pre-master programme stated on their admission statement.
Start date
This pre-master offers 2 intakes: September and February.
More information
This pre-master is tailor-made. The Board of Admissions will decide based on your educational background what the pre-master should look like. The pre-master consists of bachelor-level courses and may include an academic skills course and/or a final assignment comparable to a bachelor’s thesis.
The premaster is taught in English. It is possible to purse courses in Dutch as well.
The tuition fee for this programme is €2,530 for the academic year 2024-2025 (statutory fee) and €2,601 for the academic year 2025-2026 (statutory fee).
This tuition fee applies if this is your first master’s programme and you are a national of one of the following countries:
Austria
Latvia
Belgium
Liechtenstein
Bulgaria
Lithuania
Croatia
Luxembourg
Cyprus
Malta
Czech Republic
Norway
Denmark
Poland
Estonia
Portugal
Finland
Romania
France
Slovakia
Germany
Slovenia
Greece
Spain
Hungary
Suriname
Iceland
Sweden
Ireland
Switzerland
Italy
The fee applies for both full-time and part-time study.
The tuition fee for this programme is €20,900 for the academic year 2024-2025 (institutional tuition fee) and €21,600 for the academic year 2025-2026 (institutional tuition fee).
If you are not a national of an EEA country, Suriname or Switzerland, generally speaking you will have to pay an institutional tuition fee. This fee applies for both full-time and part-time study.
However, if, on the basis of your Dutch residence permit, you are eligible for student finance from the Dutch education agency (DUO) you are entitled to pay the statutory tuition fee. Information on qualifying residence permits can be found at the DUO website.
Only applicable to EU/EEA, Swiss and Surinamese nationals.
The tuition fee for this programme is €16,300 for the academic year 2024-2025 (institutional tuition fee) and €16,600 for the academic year 2025-2026 (institutional tuition fee).
If you are following a second Dutch master’s programme you will generally have to pay an institutional tuition fee that is higher than the statutory tuition fee.
Exceptions
In some cases, nationals of EEA countries, Suriname or Switzerland may be permitted to pay tuition fees set at the same amount as the statutory tuition fee for their second degree programme.
Legal transitional arrangement for second bachelor's or master's degree: student pays the statutory tuition fee when:
Student has already obtained a bachelor's or master's degree but is starting a programme in the field of education or healthcare for the first time.
The student has already started a second bachelor's or master's programme before the first programme was completed and remains registered for it uninterruptedly.
Institutional transitional arrangement for a second bachelor's or master's degree: student pays the institutional tuition fee equal to the statutory rate) when:
Student has already obtained a bachelor's or master's degree, but is starting a teacher training programme.
After completing a bachelor's or master's degree at Leiden University, a student will subsequently start a second programme (in academic years).
Are you unsure which tuition fee applies to you? Consult our Tuition Fee Calculator.
Tuition fee if the pre-master's or conversion programme has less than 60 study credits (EC)
2024-2025
2025-2026
€42,17 per EC
€43,35 per EC
If the pre-master's or conversion programme has 60 study credits or more, you pay the statutory tuition fee of that college year.
Scholarships, grants and loans
Leiden University offers a wide range of scholarships for students from specific regions of the world, or for specific programmes. Leiden University also offers the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS), a programme specifically designed for non-EU/EEA students enrolling in a master’s programme. Find out more about scholarships, grants, loans and deadlines
If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss national and under 30, you may be eligible for a loan from the Dutch government to cover your tuition fees.
You’ve been accepted! Leiden University looks forward to welcoming you as a new student. Your next step is to prepare for your studies. Below you can find some tips to help you get a head start as you embark on your studies at Leiden University.
For international students
If you are an international student, a wealth of information can be found on the ‘Prepare your stay’ page of our website. This includes information about visas, housing, financial matters, what to arrange upon arrival, and much more.
For Dutch students
The ‘student website’ page on Leiden University’s student website contains information about practical aspects, introduction weeks and student associations. It’s also a handy source of study-related information and advice.
For detailed information about courses, schedules and reading materials, check out the Prospectus.
Sign up for the introduction week in Leiden (OWL) or The Hague (HOP)! It’s the best way to get acquainted with student life and the student cities of Leiden and The Hague.
Your student card is your proof of registration as a student of Leiden University. You can find your digital student card in the Leiden University app three days after your student registration is finalised. Read more about your student card here.
As soon as you receive notification that your student registration has been finalised you should apply for a Leiden University ID card, or LU-Card. It also serves as your library card, print & copy card and access pass. Read more about applying for an LU-card here.
Student life
Your time at Leiden is about more than just studying. Some of your best experiences will stem from being a part of our lively and diverse student community, as well as from life in the beautiful city of Leiden.
Asian Studies study associations
The study associations related to Asian Studies are:
The Humanities Master’s Buddy Programme has been set up by the Faculty of Humanities to help all students who are new to the university to integrate quickly and easily into university life. You will be matched to a buddy who can help you out with your academic and practical questions. Additionally you will be able to attend fun monthly activities and make friends from all over the world.
Leiden has several student organisations that specifically cater for international students. These associations organise regular social events and activities that help create the strong sense of community that exists within our international student body. The main two organisations are:
Erasmus Student Network Leiden (ESN) ESN Leiden is an international student organisation which hosts a range of activities and programmes. They also have a buddy programme which provides new students with the right support to assimilate into Leiden and the university.
AEGEE Leiden AEGEE is a leading European student association with sister organisations in over 40 countries across Europe. AEGEE organises many activities in Leiden, from dinners and pool nights to boat trips and guest lectures.
In August and February each year, Leiden University hosts the English-language Orientation Week Leiden (OWL), which welcomes both international and Dutch students. The OWL is an excellent way to get to know Leiden University, the city, and other students.
Life in Leiden
Picturesque and the perfect size, Leiden is the ideal place to spend your university days. The Faculty of Humanities is located within the heart of the city, where dozens of cafes, shops and bars line its historic laneways and leafy canals. Small enough to run into familiar faces, but big enough to keep offering surprises – you will treasure your time at Leiden. And for adventures further afield, the major cities of The Hague and Amsterdam are a short train ride away, along with Schiphol Airport, which is just half an hour away by train.
Our study and student associations organise a huge variety of social, cultural, and study events to keep you busy all year round. You can also join the University Sports Centre, which offers scheduled group sports and fitness classes, amongst other activities.
Information activities
Get to know us through our online and in-person events for prospective students!
Two speakers at the open day
Are you thinking about joining this Master's programme, and want to determine if it will be the right fit for you? Below, you can browse the events that we have coming up, and sign up to experience Leiden University and the programme for yourself. Alternatively, take a look at the Master Talks videos to find out more about the programme or check out our virtual campus tours!
Upcoming events
Master's Open Days
During the Master's Open Days you’ll have the opportunity to learn all about Leiden University’s master's programmes. Attend presentations about your chosen programme(s) or practical matters such as admissions and housing. Get real insight into the content of your preferred master's, along with the career opportunities it will bring.
On the Master Talks: programme videos platform you can find videos for each master’s programme. This includes a video which gives a short introduction to the programme. You can also find the recording of the previous Master's Online Open Days and watch the programme presentation on the platform.
Get to know the campus
Check out our virtual campus tours, filmed in 360 degrees – by dragging the video, you can look around at the surroundings yourself. Below is the video recorded at the Humanities faculty, where most of your lectures will take place; you can also view other 360 campus tours of the various university faculties here.
360 Campus tour: the Humanities faculty
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Questions about the application procedure, tuition fees and scholarships
Student Affairs Front Office
Phone: +31 (0)71 527 80 11
Email: Contact form
Or visit their website
Visiting address
Leiden: Plexus Student Centre
Kaiserstraat 25, ground floor
2311 GN Leiden
Monday to Friday between 11.00 and 16.00, Tuesday between 11.00 and 17.30.
Chat with a student
Do you have a question about studying at Leiden University or student life in Leiden? Do you want more information about the Asian Studies master's programme? Chat with a current student for answers to your questions!
