Asian Studies (research)
| Degree: | Master of Arts in Asian Studies (research) |
|---|---|
| Mode of Study: | Full-time |
| Duration: | 2 years |
| Start date: | September, February |
| Language of instruction: | English |
| Location: | Leiden |
| Croho/isat code: | 60841 |
Asian Studies scholarship in Leiden has a justly deserved worldwide reputation. Its breadth and depth are not only unparalleled in the Netherlands, but represent the very best of Asia-related research and teaching in Europe and beyond. In the Research MA in Asian Studies, you may focus on a specific region, choosing between China, Japan, Korea, South Asia or Southeast Asia. Alternatively, you may conduct your research with the primary emphasis not on a region but rather on a discipline, focusing on such topics as politics, religion, art and material culture, languages, and literature, regionally or cross-regionally.
Entry requirements
Prospective students for the Research Master in Area Studies will be expected to meet a range of general entry requirements:
- a BA degree or its equivalent from a recognised academic institute, with a relevant regional or disciplinary specialisation. Successful applicants are from the top segment of their graduating class.
- a good command of English, assessed by IELTS (minimal average score of 6.5, whereby none of the parts can be lower than 6.5), the equivalent in TOEFL scores or another internationally accepted test
This requirement does not apply if you have:- completed your education in Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand or Australia, or
- an International Baccalaureate, or
- a Dutch VWO diploma
- a reasonable command of the regional language(s) in question, sufficient for the successful completion of graduate studies. The language level of students working on non-European languages has to be equal to the exit level of a Leiden BA. Students applying to the Middle Eastern specialisation with a focus on Islamic Studies are required to master the language of the Muslim group they are interested in researching. Students seeking to work in the comparative (transregional) specialisation may be admitted with lower levels of regional language expertise. The research master’s in Area Studies treats language as a tool for research rather than a learning objective in itself, and hence applicants are judged according to whether they have sufficient skills in order to realistically complete their research projects.
- proven affinity with and ability for scholarly research, evidenced in excellent performance in B.A. dissertations or other scholarly activities.
- Applicants are requested to include in their application a “Research Proposal” of approximately 1,000 words outlining the topic or field of research that interests them most and that they wish to pursue at Leiden University, combined with an annotated bibliography of at least five (5) works.
Applicants with a higher professional education (HBO) degree are not eligible for admission.
