Asian Studies (MA)
The Master’s in Asian Studies at Leiden University is your opportunity to earn a specialised qualification from one of the leading centres for Asian studies in Europe.
Specialisations
Why study Asian Studies at Leiden University?
The Asian Studies master's programme provides you with the opportunity to deepen your understanding of the region through the lens of specific disciplines, strengthen your language proficiency, and develop a critical perspective on Asia. The programme consists of one-year regional specialisations in East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia as well as disciplinary tracks in the History, Arts and Culture of Asia, and the Politics, Society and Economy of Asia. The two-year specialisations in China, Japan, Korea which include a year abroad with intensive language study and field research. 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 languages: Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Sanskrit en Tibetan.
Learn more about the study programme
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.
Find out more about the career prospects
Is Asian Studies the programme for you?
Do you feel invested in Asian history, arts or culture, or economics, politics and society? Do you wish to understand and examine Asia from the perspective of Asia itself? Expand your knowledge by deepening your understanding with one of our regional specialisations in Asian Studies. Will it be Chinese Studies? Or Indonesia? Do you wish to combine regional knowledge with a specific disciplinary approach such as politics, sociology, or art history? Find the programme which suits your interests best within the eight different programmes Leiden University has to offer!
Do you want to find out if you are eligible for this Master's Programme?
Check the admission requirements
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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