South Asian Studies
Programme Overview
Course Structure
Research Areas
Formalities
Academic Advisor
Contact
| Degree: | Master of Arts |
| Application required: | Limited intake |
| Course start: | winter semester/summer semester |
| Course duration: | 4 semesters |
| Form of course: | full-time |
| Other: | post-graduate (consecutive) |
Programme overview
The interdisciplinary M.A. in South Asian Studies offers a broad choice of courses for the most varied South Asian-related interests and profiles: geographers and Sanskrit philologists, economists and art historians, South Asian modern linguists and media experts, anthropologists and political scientists, historians and Buddhism scholars – they can all take this course! It is located at the South Asia Institute (SAI) of Heidelberg University.
The course reflects the whole of Heidelberg University’s expertise on South Asia. It is sponsored by all the chairs at the SAI and the professorships relevant to South Asia in the Heidelberg Excellence cluster “Asia and Europe in a Global Context”. The subjects that may be studied and combined are
- Buddhism
- Development Economy
- Anthropology
- Geography
- History of South Asia
- Cultural and Religious History of South Asia
- Art History and Visul Culture of South Asia
- South Asian Modern Language Studies
- Soputh Asian Political Science
An additional focus is Himalaya Studies, that is covered by several modules.
Course structure
The M.A. in South Asian Studies offers many possible combinations but, at the same time, well-founded disciplinary training in a selected special subject. This specialization prepares the way for doctoral work in the same subject. The Master’s programme takes four semesters and is worth 120 credits. A selected special subject with the corresponding examination module (30 credits) constitutes the main focus, which is awarded 66 credits and is thus worth over half the total credits. It is mentioned separately on the M.A. certificate. The 4-semester period includes time for the Master’s examination and writing the Master’s thesis. Taught courses extend over three semesters. Students must take their oral examination in the fourth semester, besides completing their thesis.
Minor
In this programme 20 credits are devoted to a minor subject. Here is a list all minors on offer.
The Master’s programme in South Asian Studies can also be studied as a minor worth 20 credits.
Languages
The M.A. in South Asian Studies consists of classes in German and English, and is explicitly aimed at international applicants. Language competence in several of the languages taught at the Institute and in the cluster is desired but starting from scratch is possible for certain special areas. The language offering comprises the central languages of South Asia like Bengali, Hindi, Urdu and Tamil (BHUT), Sanskrit, classical Tibetan and the Tibetan everyday vernacular. Offering a range of choice unique in Germany, this language programme is a central part of the M.A. in South Asian Studies.
Research areas
The research areas available to the M.A. are:
- The Politics and Economy of South Asia
- Visual Studies
- Himalayan Studies
- Ritual Studien
- Transcultural Studies
- Health
Formalities
Admission
There is an entry restriction and an admission restriction. Please consult the admission regulations.
German students
German students can enrol without prior application at the Central University Administration building by the beginning of lectures. They are required to show the written statement of admission issued by the representative of the desired Master’s programme, confirming that preconditions according to the admission regulations have been met. Please inquire from the South Asia Institute about further procedure.
International students
International students must apply in writing to enable due examination of their previous academic achievements. The closing date for international applicants is 15 June for the winter semester, and 15 November for the summer semester. The application must go directly to the International Relations Office. Please use the following M.A. application form and enclose the necessary documents.
Current information on procedure
Examination regulations
Examination regulations Master
Fees
To study at Heidelberg University, fees must be paid at the beginning of each semester.
Prüfungsausschuss
The respective examinations board or office is responsible for credit transfer, recognition, and examination issues. Further details are available from the academic advisor.
Academic advisor
Dates and contact persons are listed on the website of the South Asia Institute.
Contact
Examinations office
Lars Stöwesand
E-Mail: suedasienstudien@sai.uni-heidelberg.de
Phone: +49 6221 54 -4313
Fax: +49 6221 54-4998
Im Neuenheimer Feld 330
69120 Heidelberg
Internet: http://www.sai.uni-heidelberg.de/sasweb/index_en.html
Map
Student representative body
SAI student representative body: http://fachschaftsai.wordpress.com/
