COURSE CURRICULUM

Leiden University’s two-year Research Master in Asian Studies offers advanced, in-depth training in a specific region or discipline within Asian Studies. The program combines compulsory core courses, electives, a research project, and a research MA thesis, allowing students to design a curriculum tailored to their academic interests and career goals. Students are encouraged to explore subjects across the full geographic and temporal span of Asia, or to focus on particular regions such as China, Japan, Korea, South Asia, or Southeast Asia.In the first year, students take two core courses shared with the MA Middle Eastern Studies (Research) program. The course Critical Area Studies: Placing Your Research addresses central theories and issues in area studies, including the challenges of studying and representing “other” cultures. Methodology in the Social Sciences and Humanities introduces and critically evaluates research methods used across these disciplines. Alongside these core courses, students select core electives and other electives, which can be specific to Asian Studies or drawn from other MA programs or national Research Schools. Early in the program, each student is assigned a research and thesis supervisor to help shape an individualized study plan in consultation with the study advisor, ensuring alignment with both immediate and long-term research interests.In the second year, students undertake a substantial research project during the third semester, which may take place in the Netherlands or abroad, with blended and virtual options available. Those conducting research abroad can apply for a supplementary Uhlenbeck scholarship. Following this project, students complete their MA thesis under the guidance of their supervisor, receiving regular feedback before publicly defending their work. The final semester also includes a bi-weekly seminar on post-graduate opportunities, preparing students for careers in academia, research institutions, government, and international organisations. This combination of rigorous coursework, independent research, and mentorship equips graduates with the expertise and skills required for advanced scholarly or professional work in the field of Asian Studies.