Azië Studies

The MA in Politics, Society and Economy of Asia takes a social science approach to the study of one or more countries or regions in modern or contemporary Asia. Learn about the most important forces at play in Asia today. This master's offers you both the flexibility to define your focus and an expansive curriculum of relevant topics from which to choose. Select your country or region, and explore it from diverse disciplinary perspectives – often using original source materials – including modern history, sociology, development economics, media studies, political science, international relations and anthropology.
Develop your language skills
Many organisations today rely on translators to communicate with foreigh organisations. Knowledge of an Asian language is highly valued by global organisations and can pave the way to a host of new career opportunities. During your master's, you have the option of taking intensive language courses in a modern-day language including Japanese, Indonesian, Chinese, Korean or Hindi.
Learn from internationally-acclaimed scholars
Expertise on Asia at Leiden University is internationally renowned, which means that you learn from scholars who are at the leading edge of the research in their field. Small classes allow for direct contact with these lecturers and the opportunity to share and debate your ideas with classmates.

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.
Create your own curriculum
With an expansive curriculum, this one-year master's gives students the opportunity to delve deep into their specific discipinary 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.
Learn from acclaimed researchers
Expertise on Asia at Leiden University is internationally renowned, as is our collection of unique Asian artefacts. As a student of the MA in History, Arts and Culture of Asia, you will learn from some of Europe's best scholars in the field. And with classes kept deliberately small, every individual has the opportunity to voice their ideas and interact directly with these inspiring minds.
Learn a language
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 Japanese, Indonesian, Chinese, Korean or Hindi.

The master’s in East Asian Studies, a specialisation within the master's of Asian Studies, combines an exceptional range of courses with advanced language training and outstanding resources and expertise. The East Asian Studies master’s programme offers focused study of either China, Japan or Korea. Study the country of your choice from an expansive number of disciplinary perspectives including history, literature, art, art history, sociology, anthropology, media, cultural studies, religious studies, philosophy, economics, development studies, linguistics, or politics and international relations.
A key focus of this programme is on language training and developing your fluency in an East Asian language. We have experts in language training who are skilled in facilitating this learning process. You will be expected to apply your language skills when writing your MA thesis by using primary materials written in Chinese, Japanese or Korean.
Expertise on Asia at Leiden University is internationally renowned. As a student of the MA in East Asian Studies, you will learn from some of Europe's best scholars in the field, many of whom are at the leading edge of Asia-related research in Europe. Small classes will ensure you have the opportunity to interact closely and regularly with your lecturers throughout your studies.