Masters Degrees (Asian Studies)

The Master’s programme in Asian Studies at Leiden University offers an outstanding qualification from one of the leading centres for Asian studies in Europe. You will develop expertise in the history, language and culture of Asian societies, or contemporary developments in the world’s most dynamic and fastest-growing region. Asian studies at Leiden University is unparalleled in the Netherlands and combines the very best of Asia-related research in North-West Europe.

Visit the website: http://www.mastersinleiden.nl/programmes/asian-studies/en/introduction

Specialisations

At Leiden Univerisity you can tailor your MA Asian Studies with a specialisation that reflects your area of interest. Different specialisations cater for students with or without proficiency in one or more Asian languages, and range from one to two years in duration. This structure allows us to accommodate students with diverse undergraduate backgrounds, objectives and expectations.

Choose from:

- Chinese Studies
- East Asian Studies
- History, Arts and Culture of Asia
- Japanese Studies
- Korean Studies
- Politics, Society and Economy of Asia
- South Asian Studies
- Southeast Asian Studies

NOTE: duration of course differs depending on specialisation.

Future Career

Students with ambitions to pursue a PhD position or career as a researcher outside academia can apply for the two-year Research Master’s in Asian Studies on completion of the programme.

Students ready to join the workforce can expect to be qualified for a range of exciting careers at organisations around the world – including at the many international organisations here in the Hague or the surrounding area.

How to apply: http://en.mastersinleiden.nl/arrange/admission

Funding

For information regarding funding, please visit the website: http://prospectivestudents.leiden.edu/scholarships

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The Master’s programme in Asian Studies at Leiden University offers an outstanding qualification from one of the leading centres for Asian studies in Europe. You will develop expertise in the history, language and culture of Asian societies, or contemporary developments in the world’s most dynamic and fastest-growing region. Asian studies at Leiden University is unparalleled in the Netherlands and combines the very best of Asia-related research in North-West Europe.

Visit the website: http://www.mastersinleiden.nl/programmes/asian-studies/en/introduction

Specialisations

At Leiden Univerisity you can tailor your MA Asian Studies with a specialisation that reflects your area of interest. Different specialisations cater for students with or without proficiency in one or more Asian languages, and range from one to two years in duration. This structure allows us to accommodate students with diverse undergraduate backgrounds, objectives and expectations.

Choose from:

- Chinese Studies
- East Asian Studies
- History, Arts and Culture of Asia
- Japanese Studies
- Korean Studies
- Politics, Society and Economy of Asia
- South Asian Studies
- Southeast Asian Studies

NOTE: duration of course differs depending on specialisation.

Future Career

Students with ambitions to pursue a PhD position or career as a researcher outside academia can apply for the two-year Research Master’s in Asian Studies on completion of the programme.

Students ready to join the workforce can expect to be qualified for a range of exciting careers at organisations around the world – including at the many international organisations here in the Hague or the surrounding area.

How to apply: http://en.mastersinleiden.nl/arrange/admission

Funding

For information regarding funding, please visit the website: http://prospectivestudents.leiden.edu/scholarships

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The MPhil in Modern South Asian Studies is a postgraduate course with a substantial research component. It is designed both for students who want to enhance their understanding of the social, cultural, political and economic history and present condition of South Asia and for those who want to go on to further primary research. It provides intensive research and language training for those who wish to go on to prepare a doctoral dissertation, but it is also a freestanding postgraduate degree course in its own right.

The MPhil is associated for examination purposes with the Faculty of Human, Social and Political Sciences. But teaching and learning for the course takes place in the Centre of South Asian Studies and the various humanities and social science faculties and departments. The course covers South Asia from the early modern period to the present. The areas studied cover the modern states of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal.

The MPhil aims to introduce students to the latest research topics, methods and debates in South Asian studies at an advanced level. It provides training in the use of printed, manuscript and other sources relevant to South Asian studies. It provides essential language training in Hindi and Urdu. It offers training in the advanced use of library and archival facilities and the appropriate use of electronic databases for the location, identification and evaluation of source materials. It provides a structured introduction to key debates in South Asian history, development economics, politics and sociology through a variety of intensive courses. Finally, it offers close supervision in undertaking an original research project.

See the website http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/hsasmpmsa

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

By the end of the course, students should have acquired:

1. a deeper understanding of their chosen area of South Asian studies and the critical debates within it
2. a conceptual and technical understanding that enables the evaluation of current research and methodologies
3. the technical skills necessary to pursue primary research in their chosen area.
4. the ability to situate their own research within current and past methodological and interpretative developments in the field
5. an understanding of and proficiency in a modern South Asian language.

Skills and other attributes

By the end of the course, the students should have acquired:

1. the skills necessary to locate, read, interpret and analyse the primary source material relevant to the student's area of interest
2. the skills necessary critically to evaluate their own and others' work
3. the ability to formulate a research proposal using the appropriate primary materials and to place this within its relevant academic context, to locate and assimilate relevant secondary source material and to discuss pertinent interpretative debates
4. the ability to reach an independent judgement, based on their own research
5. a facility in communicating the results of their ideas, research and its conclusion in a written form as a work of historical scholarship, and as an oral contribution in a research colloquium.

Format

Assessed coursework will consist of the core course (Introduction to Modern South Asia), taken by all students, and one option selected by each student from the range offered as part of the MPhil. The core course will centre around 14 twice-weekly classes in the Michaelmas Term, at which participation is mandatory. 8 option course classes will be held throughout the Lent Term. In addition the language element of the course will run throughout the year with weekly classes in either Hindi or Urdu. There will also be a strong element of research training to include preparing for fieldwork, interviewing techniques and the use of archival material.

Core and option essays, the book review and dissertation will all be double marked and mark sheets containing feedback will be given to students. Students meet regularly with their Supervisors, the Course Convenor and others teaching on the course who are happy to provide comments on students' progress. It is usual to hold a session in the late Lent Term or early Easter Term to provide the chance for students to present their planned dissertation research to the rest of the group and receive their feedback. Course Convenor holds an 'office hour' weekly during term.

Assessment

- Thesis between 15,000 and 20,000 words in length.
- Book Review: 2,000 words.
- Core course essay: 3,000 words.
- Option course essay: 5,000 words.
- Three hour written language examination in either Hindi or Urdu.
- One hour language oral examination in either Hindi or Urdu.

Continuing

The MPhil is a freestanding degree, but it is expected that many candidates, because of the significant research-training component of the course, will proceed thereafter to pursue the PhD. The course offers a thorough preparation for doctoral research, through the historiographical and conceptual emphasis of the taught component, through the specialist options, and through the dissertation. All MPhil students who wish to continue to a PhD will be encouraged to discuss their progress with their supervisor. Marks of 67 and above are strong marks to support the case for continuation to the PhD in, for example, the Faculty of History. However, this requirement varies from Faculty to Faculty.

How to apply: http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying

Funding Opportunities

There are no specific funding opportunities advertised for this course. For information on more general funding opportunities, please follow the link below.

General Funding Opportunities http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/finance/funding

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In Leiden University’s Research Master’s 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 on a discipline, focusing on such topics as politics, religion, art and material culture, languages, and literature, regionally or cross-regionally.

Visit the website: http://en.mastersinleiden.nl/programmes/asian-studies-research/en/introduction

Course detail

Make use of an inherently comparative Area Studies approach. The programme not only encourages intra-Asian comparisons, but co-operates closely with Middle Eastern Studies (research). This co-operation is institutionalised, for example, through a common introductory course on Area Studies.

Format

Focus in your studies either on a discipline, or on a specific region. Both approaches offer the opportunity to work extensively in primary languages, but do not demand this.

Why choose Leiden?

- Take advantage of the renowned expertise of the Leiden teaching faculty, and explore both vibrant, present-day Asia as well as its historical past.

- 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.

Careers

Students who complete the Research MA programme in Asian Studies in the first place are perfectly positioned for further academic study, in particular the pursuit of a PhD. For others, the degree provides Asia expertise in demand for careers in areas including publishing, international trade, public relations, education, development aid, or in government, international organisations and NGOs. Leiden graduates in Asian Studies often find employment in Asia itself.

How to apply: http://en.mastersinleiden.nl/arrange/admission

Funding

For information regarding funding, please visit the website: http://prospectivestudents.leiden.edu/scholarships

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If you’re a native speaker or you have substantial training in Chinese, Japanese or Thai, this programme will prepare you for a career in research with an area specialism.

Half of the programme will give you a solid foundation in East Asian studies and research methodologies, equipping you with a range of subject knowledge, consolidating your language skills and preparing you to conduct independent, theory-driven research. In the other half, you’ll apply all of this to your own research project comprising 50% of the MRes, supervised by a member/members of the Faculty.

You’ll study in a stimulating research environment with plenty of opportunities to attend research events and conferences, as well as our regular Tea and Talk events.

Our tutors are conducting world-class research in diverse fields across East Asian Studies, and you’ll benefit from teaching that’s informed by their own work. It’s a great opportunity to prepare for a career in academic or professional research.

East Asian Studies at Leeds is a leading centre for research in the region, with over 50 years of history. In addition to the academic strengths that we have accrued over this time, we have developed an extensive and active international network of alumni. Leeds is also home to very substantial and world-renowned specialist library collections.

Course content

The programme is divided in half, with 50% advanced research training and 50% independent research on a specialist topic of your choice.

Advanced methodological training will cover the key stages of the research process and equip you to conduct independent research informed by a sound theoretical understanding. You’ll also practice skills such as writing abstracts, papers and proposals as well as verbal presentations and group discussions, preparing you to present and share your research.

The remainder of the programme will be spent working with a supervisor in the faculty on your own research project, focusing on a topic that interests you perhaps laying the foundations for future academic research.

Course structure

Compulsory modules

• Principles and Practices of Research 30 credits
• Dissertation 90 credits

Optional modules

• Chinese Politics 15 credits
• China's Development 15 credits
• China and the Developing World 15 credits
• Japan in the Discourse of International Development 15 credits
• Japan: Politics and International Relations 15 credits
• Political Economy of the Pacific Rim 15 credits
• International Politics of the Asia Pacific Region 15 credits
• Modern Documentary Chinese: Politics and Law 15 credits
• Post-Cultural Revolution Chinese Literature 15 credits
• Contemporary Chinese Literature 15 credits
• Chinese Literature 1912 - 1949 15 credits
• Japanese 3A: Written Communication Skills 30 credits
• Advanced Japanese in Context 1: Politics and International Relations 15 credits
• Advanced Japanese in Context 4: Literature 15 credits
• Advanced Japanese in Context 5: Japanese Diplomacy and Foreign Policy in Historical Context 15 credits
• Advanced Japanese in Context 6: Japanese Religion and Culture in Historical Context 15 credits
• Advanced Japanese in Context: Culture and Identity 15 credits
• Specialised Readings 15 credits
• The Rise of China 30 credits

For more information on typical modules, read East Asian Studies MRes in the course catalogue

Learning and teaching

We use a range of teaching and learning methods such as lectures and seminars. You’ll be expected to participate fully in these by giving presentations and conducting your own research and reading before taught sessions. Of course, independent research is vital to this programme, allowing you to develop your skills and explore your own ideas and interests.

Assessment

You’ll also experience a range of assessment methods, depending on the taught modules you choose. These may include exams and essays as well as presentations, literature reviews, project work and in-course assessment among others. Language modules may also include different forms of assessment such as translation tests. Your dissertation will be assessed based on the final, submitted piece of work.

Career opportunities

The emphasis on independent research and advanced methodological training on this programme means it offers ideal preparation for PhD study, or professional research roles in government, media, business or the charity and voluntary sectors.

You’ll also gain important skills such as analysis, problem-solving, oral and written communication as well as cultural awareness, all of which are valuable in a wide range of careers in different sectors.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

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The region known as "Pacific Asia" can be defined in various ways, but the "core" countries are China, Japan, Korea and the ASEAN nations (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and the Philippines). Together, they make up one of the most diverse and important regions in the world.

SOAS has more expertise in this part of the world than any other institution in Western Europe; indeed there are very few places anywhere in the world that can boast the same range of expertise.

This degree is a way of bringing together the large number of modules on Pacific Asia currently on offer in SOAS Masters programmes for Chinese Studies, Japanese Studies, South East Asian Studies, and Korean Studies.

The modules chosen must cover three of the four regions of China and Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia.

Visit the website http://www.soas.ac.uk/sea/programmes/mapacasstud/

Structure

Students take modules to the value of three taught units, one of which is considered a major, and complete a 10,000-word dissertation related to the major.

As a Regional Studies programme students will be expected to select their modules from more than one discipline, The two minor units can be taken from the same discipline (but different to that of the major) or two different ones. The modules chosen must cover three of the four regions of China and Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia.

Programme Specification

MA Pacific Asian Studies- Programme Specifications 2012/13 (pdf; 33kb) - http://www.soas.ac.uk/sea/programmes/mapacasstud/file80829.pdf

Teaching & Learning

- Lectures and Seminars

For most modules there is one 2-hour class each week. This may be an informal lecture followed by a discussion or student presentation. At Masters level there is particular emphasis on seminar work where students may be expected to make full-scale presentations for units they take.

- Dissertation

The 10,000-word dissertation on an approved topic linked with one of the taught modules.

- Learning Resources

SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.

Employment

As a student specialising in Pacific Asia, you will gain competency in language skills and intercultural awareness and understanding. Familiarity with the region will have been developed through a combination of the study of language, literature and culture (which can include literature, film, music, art and religion) of various parts of Pacific Asia.

Graduates leave SOAS not only with linguistic and cultural expertise, but also with a portfolio of widely transferable skills which employers seek in many professional and management careers in both business and the public sector. These include written and oral communication skills, attention to detail, analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to research, amass and order information from a variety of sources.

For more information about Graduate Destinations from this department, please visit the Careers Service website (http://www.soas.ac.uk/careers/graduate-destinations/).

Faculty of Languages and Cultures

Six of the academic departments are devoted to teaching and research in the languages, literatures and cultures of Africa, China and Inner Asia, Japan and Korea, the Near and Middle East, South Asia, and South East Asia, with the seventh teaching and conducting research in Linguistics. The Language Centre caters to the needs of non-degree students and governmental and non-governmental organisations. It maintains a huge portfolio of courses, including year-long diploma programmes, weekly evening classes in about 40 different African and Asian languages, and tailored intensive one-to-one courses. The Language Centre also offers courses in French, Portuguese and Spanish.

Their teaching is in three main areas:
- language competence acquisition;
- textual and cultural studies - both comparative and language-specific, and covering not only 'literature' in a strict sense but also visual media, performance, folklore, translation etc.;
- language studies with linguistics at its core - including the prestigious Hans Rausing Endangered Languages Project.

The Faculty is also home to the Centre for Cultural, Literary and Postcolonial Studies (CCLPS) (http://www.soas.ac.uk/cclps/).

While SOAS as a whole represents the most substantial concentration in the Western world of expertise dedicated to African, Middle Eastern and Asian studies, the Faculty of Languages and Cultures is heavily committed to teaching and research grounded in a knowledge of the principal languages and cultures of two thirds of humankind.

Find out how to apply here - http://www.soas.ac.uk/admissions/pg/howtoapply/

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The MA in South East Asian Studies provides exceptional opportunities for advanced study of one of the world’s most diverse and important regions.

Students on the programme come from a wide range of backgrounds. Some come into the programme having acquired an interest in South East Asia during their undergraduate career or as a result of travelling in the region.

The programme also attracts mature students: some take the MA as a partial preparation for employment in the region; others, having lived in South East Asia for a number of years, seek to place their experience and impressions into a more structured, analytical framework.

Knowledge of a South East Asian language is not a requirement of the course. Language modules, however, are popular options.

Visit the website http://www.soas.ac.uk/sea/programmes/maseastud/

Structure

Students take three taught courses, one of which is considered a major, and complete a 10,000 word dissertation related to the major.

The two minor courses can be taken from the same discipline (but different to that of the major) or two different ones. Some disciplines such as politics, economics or social anthropology require an appropriate qualification (such as part of a first degree) if any of their courses are to be taken as the major subject.

Programme Specification

MA South East Asian Studies- Programme Specifications 2012/13 (pdf; 29kb) - http://www.soas.ac.uk/sea/programmes/maseastud/file80830.pdf

Teaching & Learning

- Lectures and Seminars

For most courses there is one 2-hour class each week. This may be an informal lecture followed by a discussion or student presentation. At Masters level there is particular emphasis on seminar work where students may be expected to make full-scale presentations for units they take.

- Dissertation

The 10,000 word dissertation on an approved topic linked with one of the taught courses.

Learning Resources

SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.

Employment

A postgraduate degree in South East Asian studies from SOAS provides its students with competency in language skills and intercultural awareness and understanding. Familiarity with the region will have been developed through a combination of the study of language, literature, history, cinema, politics, economics or law.

Postgraduate students are equipped with linguistic and cultural expertise enabling them to continue in the field of research, along with a portfolio of widely transferable skills which employers seek in
many professional and management careers in business, public or charity sectors. These include written and oral communication skills; attention to detail; analytical and problem solving skills; and the ability to research, amass and order information from a variety of sources. A postgraduate degree is a valuable experience that provides students with a body of work and a diverse range of skills that they can use to market themselves with when they graduate.

For more information about Graduate Destinations from this department, please visit the Careers Service website (http://www.soas.ac.uk/careers/graduate-destinations/).

Find out how to apply here - http://www.soas.ac.uk/admissions/pg/howtoapply/

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Research profile

Edinburgh has one of the largest concentrations of South Asianists in the UK, constituting a wide range of expertise.

Examples of our recent research include the study of:

social, historical and anthropological aspects of Joint Forest Management Agreements in India
socio-historical research on the Indian Uprising of 1857
sociological and human geographical aspects of secondary schooling in north India
sociological and anthropological aspects of pharmaceuticals in India and Nepal
federalism and ethnic conflict management in South Asia

Other cross-disciplinary areas where students are particularly welcome include:

the historical and contemporary study of religion (Buddhism, Islam, Christianity and Hinduism) and South Asian societies
gender, family and population
nationalism and caste
the media
the South Asian diaspora
contemporary politics and identity
territorial politics (federalism, regionalism)
India as a global emerging power

Training and support

The MSc by Research in South Asian Studies offers core research skills and conceptual grounding for a research career or further study.

The PhD and MPhil programmes combine work on an individual thesis project with systematic training in research skills.

The Centre for South Asian Studies hosts a weekly research seminar as well as regular workshops and conferences.

Facilities

The University’s Main Library has many manuscripts in oriental languages originating from the countries of the Middle East and South Asia.

You will also have access to rich library and archive resources across the University including divinity and Celtic and Scottish studies, as well as the National Library of Scotland (holding the papers of several Viceroys of India) and the Scottish National Record Office.

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General Information

Admission to the MA program in Asian Studies normally requires a Bachelor of Arts with first-class standing in Chinese, Japanese, Korean or South Asian languages. This implies at least four years of language study; in the case of East Asian languages, applicants who also have experience studying the target language intensively in-country for an extended period of time tend to advance through our program more quickly. The Department is prepared, in exceptional circumstances, to accept a limited number of students who are otherwise well qualified and show linguistic aptitude but have less than this amount of preparation in the target language. Such students will be required to spend one or two extra years in their MA program making up this deficiency.
Those interested in Asia-related modern history, political science, commerce, economics, geography, fine arts, anthropology or sociology, should apply to the department concerned.
Please be advised that we don’t accept late applications and we don’t have January or May admissions.
Most students begin their program at the start of the Winter Session (First Tuesday in September, after Labor Day). Under special circumstances students may be allowed to begin their program in the second term of the Winter Session, that is, in January (after New Year’s Day).
Candidacy in the M. A. program may be terminated if the degree is not awarded within a period of five years from initial registration. Program extension or on-leave status is possible only in certain exceptional circumstances.
Students’ progress will be reviewed during spring term of each year. A candidate may be required to withdraw if progress has not been satisfactory.
A graduate student’s registration for a second term in a degree program will be blocked until all conditions for admission to that program have been met.

Quick Facts

- Degree: Master of Arts
- Specialization: Asian Studies
- Subject: Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities
- Mode of delivery: On campus
- Program components: Coursework + Thesis required
- Registration options: Full-time
- Faculty: Faculty of Arts

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The Master of Arts in Modern East Asian Studies (M.A. MEAS) is a new and innovative programme offered by Goethe University Frankfurt. In a truly interdisciplinary sense, it accommodates students with a Bachelor’s degree in economics, law, political science or another social science, and students with a Bachelor’s degree in cultural studies related to East Asia. In total, four of the university’s faculties ‒ the faculties of economics, law, social sciences and cultural studies ‒ have joined forces to guarantee professional education at the highest level within the broad range of areas covered by this unique programme. Students will acquire expert knowledge on East Asia and learn to apply theories and methods from the social sciences to contemporary phenomena in the region. They will also receive intensive language training in selected East Asian languages at beginner and advanced levels.
The programme is taught in English and is designed to attract students from all continents. A competitive admission process ensures a uniform and high-calibre academic standard within an environment of diversity in terms of disciplines, nationalities, cultures and languages. The key admission criteria are outstanding Bachelor’s degree grades and advanced aca- demic writing skills.
The MEAS programme’s focus on current topics in the social sciences requires the alignment of its teaching with ongoing academic debates. The various lecture series organized by the Interdisciplinary Centre for East Asian Studies as well as the programme’s frequent invitations to renowned external lecturers to participate in its seminars ‒ a key element of our educational approach ‒ enable students to network within academic circles and to actively engage with the newest research.
The MEAS also offers the option to do an international internship and to study abroad.

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This MPhil is by dissertation only. It aims to give students an opportunity to develop their analytical, research and writing skills in preparation for further academic research or as a way to complement and enrich their interest in the Indian religious and intellectual traditions. The dissertation-only format entails working closely with one supervisor throughout the year on a dissertation to be submitted in mid-August.

The dissertation will be on a subject approved by the Degree Committee, and has a word limit of 25,000, including footnotes and appendices but excluding bibliography. An oral examination on the thesis and on the general field in which it falls will be required.

We strongly encourage prospective applicants to discuss their particular interests with one of the potential supervisors before applying.

See the website http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/amammpsar

Course detail

At the end of the MPhil programme, students will be expected to have:

- acquired the ability to read, interpret and translate primary sources in Sanskrit (and/or Pali/Prakrit);
- acquired a good knowledge of the general scholarship on pre-modern South Asian culture(s);
- acquired an in-depth knowledge of the secondary literature relevant to the subject of their dissertation;
- developed the ability to formulate original research questions and produce a well-constructed, argument to answer them, in the form of an independent piece of research based on the use of primary and secondary sources;
- acquired the skills to use library and internet resources independently.

Format

Even though there are no taught courses, students taking the MPhil in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies by Research (South Asian Studies) may attend a weekly graduate seminar and other reading groups with PhD students and post-doctoral researchers, thus having an opportunity to interact with their peers and seniors in a supportive environment. They may also receive training in codicology, manuscriptology, and other skills. Where relevant, they are also encouraged to attend advanced undergraduate lectures and language courses. Students can also benefit from access to Hindi language literary sources under the guidance of the Faculty's Teaching Officer in Hindi.

All prospective MPhil applicants are advised to peruse the staff profiles on our website to familiarise themselves with the research and teaching interests of staff members. Applicants should contact prospective supervisors by email and discuss potential MPhil dissertation topics.

Assessment

For the MPhil in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies by Research (South Asian Studies), students will submit a thesis of not more than 25,000 words, including footnotes and appendices but excluding bibliography on a subject approved by the Degree Committee. All MPhil dissertations must include a brief Abstract at the start of the dissertation of no more than 400 words.

Those students who take the MPhil by research will be required to take a viva examination.

Continuing

Applicants for the PhD will be expected to have scored at least 67% or above (or the equivalent from an overseas University) in their Master's degree which should be related to the PhD programme they wish to pursue. All applicants should submit with their GRADSAF (graduate application) a workable and interesting research proposal and demonstrate that they have the required academic knowledge and skills to carry out their project.

Admission is at the discretion of the Degree Committee, which judges each graduate applicant on his or her own merits and in accordance with its own set rules and regulations.

How to apply: http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying

Funding Opportunities

- Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) -

NB: Applicants should check the Faculty's website before the academic year 2016 - 2017 is due to start to see if AHRC funding is available to apply for. Home PhD and MPhil students and EU students who satisfy home residency criteria may be eligible for a full studentship which covers the University Composition Fee and College Fees plus an annual maintenance stipend. EU students are eligible for a fees-only award.

Further information: http://www.cambridgestudents.cam.ac.uk/fees-and-funding/funding/ahrc-funded-students

- Rapson Scholarship in Indian and Iranian Studies -

Grants are offered for postgraduate research in Indian and Iranian Studies, but preference is given to applicants who use Sanskrit, Pali or Avestan sources for their research. The value of the scholarship will be determined by the Electors after taking account of any other financial resources available to the applicant. The maximum award is equivalent to University and College fees at the home/EU rate for up to three years. Both MPhil and PhD applicants will be considered for this scholarship.

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The two-year MA Intensive South Asian Studies offers comprehensive language-based training across a wide range of disciplines in the humanities and social sciences.

Students on the programme take four taught courses at SOAS during their first year, of which a course at an appropriate level in Bengali, Hindi, Nepali or Urdu and the course ‘The Politics of Culture in Contemporary South Asia’ are core. In addition to the two core courses, students must choose courses to the value of 90 credits from the list of options advertised for the MA South Asian Area Studies. The disciplines available include Anthropology, Art and Archaeology, Cinema, Cultural and Regional Studies, Economics, History, Law, Literature, Music, Politics, and Study of Religions.

In their second year, students will undertake an extended period of study attached to a university or research institute in India, Pakistan or Nepal (the location depending on their choice of language), where they will further develop their language proficiency and conduct research for an extended dissertation. The second half of the second year will be taken up with the writing of the dissertation under close supervision back in London.

The programme is aimed at students pursuing careers in the academic world, business, government and the media that require a skill set which encompasses disciplinary rigour, comprehensive area knowledge and cultural and linguistic fluencies. No prior knowledge of a South Asian language is required but applicants should provide evidence of their language-learning ability. The language element of the training will be tailored to meet the needs of students with existing language skills.

Visit the website http://www.soas.ac.uk/south-asia-institute/ma-intensive-south-asian-studies/

Structure

Students take The Politics of Culture in Contemporary South Asia - 15PSAC314 and a course in Bengali, Hindi, Nepali or Urdu in their first year, plus courses to the value of two full units (90 credits) from the list given below. These courses should be chosen in close consultation with the programme convenor.

Students spend the first half of their second year studying at one of our partner institutions in South Asia, before returning to work on their 20,000-word dissertation.

MA Intensive South Asian Studies - Programme Specification 2014-2015 (pdf; 393kb) - http://www.soas.ac.uk/south-asia-institute/courses/file97965.pdf

Teaching & Learning

- Lectures and Seminars

Most courses require students to attend two or three hours of classes each week. This time will be spent in lectures, seminars, tutorial discussions and student presentations: the exact mixture of activities varies somewhat from course to course. At Masters level there is a particular emphasis on students’ contributions and presentations, and students are also expected to read extensively and prepare for each class in advance.

Language courses typically involve more hours of contact time, especially at elementary level, and regular homework.

The assessment on most courses consists of two or three coursework essay assignments and an unseen written examination, sat in April or May. However, some courses are assessed purely on the basis of coursework, including essays and reaction papers.

- Dissertation

A 20,000-word dissertation will be written by each student on this programme after his/her return from South Asia, for submission in September of the second year. The dissertation will be on an approved topic linked with one of the taught courses.

- Learning Resources

SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources. The South Asia collection consists of approximately 88,000 volumes in English and other European languages and about 70,000 volumes in South Asian languages.

Find out how to apply here - http://www.soas.ac.uk/admissions/pg/howtoapply/

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The MA in International Relations and Central Asian Studies has a strong contemporary orientation and stands at the core of the discipline of International Relations. It will provide you with up-to-date knowledge and understanding of international relations, security issues and the region. This course will provide excellent preparation for either practical work in the field or undertaking a research degree. Whatever your career plans, a thorough understanding of contemporary regional conflicts is essential to those working at an international level to try to understand and resolve them.

The MA draws on the wide disciplinary and specific IR experience of the team in the History & Politics and Sociology. In addition, you will be able to access regionally-appropriate language tuition (for an additional fee) from the famous Rosetta Stone language programme, giving you the opportunity to enhance the comprehensiveness of your distance learning MA degree.

The MA is delivered in distance learning, part-time mode only, and is designed to attract students from a variety of backgrounds who may wish to take their study in these directions. Thus, the MA in International Relations and Central Asian Studies is designed to meet the needs of students who wish to learn more about the global context of a particular key region of the world. Moreover, they are designed to be attractive to students from around the world who will themselves bring a rich variety of perspectives, insight and experience to bear on the course of study.

Course content

Modules studied:
-International Relations in the Modern Era
-International Security (30 credits)
-Central Asian Politics and Security
-The Political Economy of Eurasia and Russia
-The Dissertation

Other admission requirements

What qualifications would I need to join this programme?
The entry requirements for the course are normally:
-A 2:1 Honours degree of a United Kingdom institution of higher education or international equivalent.
OR
-A Postgraduate Diploma or Post-Experience Diploma recognised as being equivalent to an Honours Degree.
OR
-In addition we would also accept non-standard applicants who have considerable relevant experience and a record of academic achievement. Applicants in this category may also be eligible to apply for Accreditation to Prior Learning (APL) providing enough evidence can be submitted.

Accredited Prior Learning
Students may be considered for APL/APEL on the basis of credit achieved in prior study; work based training, substantial employment or other experiential learning. This will be considered in accordance with the APL/APEL Handbook. Evaluation is delegated to the Faculty which is required to assess each application according to the specified procedure. The MA Board of Studies will ensure consistent application of the Handbook.

For the Masters, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate awards a maximum of 75% of the total credits for the course may be set against accredited prior learning/experience.

Application from Overseas Students
The normal language requirement is Cambridge English and International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) examinations passed at WLTS 7 or other equivalent.

Disability
Applications from candidates with disabilities are always considered and assessment of their abilities and learning requirements will be undertaken sensitively. There will be consideration of your requirements and alternative arrangements will be made to allow you to complete the programme where possible.

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The MA in International Relations and South Asian Studies has a strong contemporary orientation and stands at the core of the discipline of International Relations. It will provide you with up-to-date knowledge and understanding of international relations, security issues and the region. This course will provide excellent preparation for either practical work in the field or undertaking a research degree. Whatever your career plans, a thorough understanding of contemporary regional conflicts is essential to those working at an international level to try to understand and resolve them.

The MA draws on the wide disciplinary and specific IR experience of the team in the History & Politics and Sociology. In addition, you will be able to access regionally-appropriate language tuition (for an additional fee) from the famous Rosetta Stone language programme, giving you the opportunity to enhance the comprehensiveness of your distance learning MA degree.

The MA is delivered in distance learning, part-time mode only, and is designed to attract students from a variety of backgrounds who may wish to take their study in these directions. Thus, the MA in International Relations and South Asian Studies is designed to meet the needs of students who wish to learn more about the global context of a particular key region of the world. Moreover, they are designed to be attractive to students from around the world who will themselves bring a rich variety of perspectives, insight and experience to bear on the course of study.

Course content

Modules studied:
-International Relations in the Modern Era
-International Security
-India, Pakistan and Kashmir
-Afghanistan: History, Politics and Culture
-The Dissertation

Other admission requirements

What qualifications would I need to join this programme?
The entry requirements for the course are normally:
-A 2:1 Honours degree of a United Kingdom institution of higher education or international equivalent.
OR
-A Postgraduate Diploma or Post-Experience Diploma recognised as being equivalent to an Honours Degree.
OR
-In addition we would also accept non-standard applicants who have considerable relevant experience and a record of academic achievement. Applicants in this category may also be eligible to apply for Accreditation to Prior Learning (APL) providing enough evidence can be submitted.

Accredited Prior Learning
Students may be considered for APL/APEL on the basis of credit achieved in prior study; work based training, substantial employment or other experiential learning. This will be considered in accordance with the APL/APEL Handbook. Evaluation is delegated to the Faculty which is required to assess each application according to the specified procedure. The MA Board of Studies will ensure consistent application of the Handbook.

For the Masters, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate awards a maximum of 75% of the total credits for the course may be set against accredited prior learning/experience.

Application from Overseas Students
The normal language requirement is Cambridge English and International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) examinations passed at WLTS 7 or other equivalent.

Disability
Applications from candidates with disabilities are always considered and assessment of their abilities and learning requirements will be undertaken sensitively. There will be consideration of your requirements and alternative arrangements will be made to allow you to complete the programme where possible.

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East Asia is the foremost dynamic region in the world. This Master's specialization is organized around the achievements, opportunities and challenges facing East Asia. Taught by international staff affiliated with the Centre for East Asian Studies Groningen this International Relations Master's programme focuses on the political economy and international relations of China, Japan and Korea.

The programme takes a multidisciplinary approach. Lectures and seminars are taught by experts in international relations, history, economy or law. You will gain knowledge on the top-three economies in East Asia and develop oral, writing and research skills to analyze developments from a local and global perspective. Work placement and study abroad are optional.

Why in Groningen?

- A unique International Relations Master's programme on the Political Economy of contemporary East Asia
- A multi-disciplinary approach towards developments in contemporary China, Japan and Korea
- Optional opportunities to study or gain hands-on experience in East Asia
- Private sector participation and guest speakers from East Asia
- Further opportunities to focus on Hong Kong, Taiwan or emerging countries such as Mongolia

Job perspectives

This degree has been designed for students who aspire to a career related to East Asia in international business, international cooperation, diplomacy, media and academia.

Job examples

- Business consultant
- Lobbyist
- Diplomat
- Policy advisor
- Researcher
- Manager

Research

Individual research topics of faculty members include: Economic Transition and Institutional Change in Asia, Political Economy of China, China and the World Economy, Land Tenure and Land Governance in China, Land Registration in China, International Trade Law and China, China-EU Relations, 19th Century Business Cycles in China, Religion in Modern China, Private International Law and China, Carbon Emission Trading and Competition Law in East Asia, Political Economies of Global Health in Asia, History of Japan, Foreign Policy of Japan, Japan-EU relations, Technology and Culture in Contemporary Japan, regionalization in Asia, Foreign and Security Policies of Korea, Visual Politics and North Korea, Foreign Policy of Mongolia.

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