Program Overview
The Southeast Asian Studies at Leiden University is a MA programme in Humanities over 12 months, delivered On-campus. This programme equips graduates with advanced knowledge and practical skills for professional and academic careers in the field.
Students gain a rigorous grounding in both the theoretical foundations and applied dimensions of humanities. The programme combines coursework, research components, and practical projects that develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and specialist expertise relevant to industry and research needs.
Graduates of the Southeast Asian Studies programme are well-prepared for careers in academia, industry, government, and the private sector across Netherlands and internationally. The programme provides an internationally recognised qualification within the Bologna higher education framework.
Key Program Features
- Duration: 12 months
- Language of instruction: English
- Study mode: On-campus
- English requirement: IELTS 7
- Tuition: EUR 15,800 (Tuition (Year)) — International students; EUR 1,906 (Tuition (Year)) — EU/EEA students
- Location: Leiden, Netherlands
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Southeast Asian Studies programme are prepared for diverse careers in humanities:
- Researcher / Academic
- Cultural Programme Manager
- Editor / Writer
- Translator / Interpreter
- Museum Curator
- Communications Specialist
Program Curriculum
Course Structure
- Introduction to Asian Studies
- Thesis & Methods Classes
- Politics of Culture in Southeast Asia
- Politics of Culture in Southeast Asia
- Histories of Southeast Asia
- Religious Themes in Asian Art
- Economic Development and Social Change in Southeast Asia
- Oral Traditions
- Indonesian 1
- Cultures of Resistance in the Post-colonial World
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
- A bachelors degree from a university, equivalent to the level of a Dutch academic bachelors degree, in Humanities or Social Sciences.
- Applicants should have completed components at the bachelors level equivalent to at least 30 ECTS on the history, art, culture, politics, society and/or economy of one or more Southeast Asian countries or regions.
- Sufficient command of English (IELTS 7.0, TOEFL 100 (internet-based) or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)).
English Proficiency: IELTS 7 or equivalent.
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
EUR 15,800 (Tuition (Year)) — International students; EUR 1,906 (Tuition (Year)) — EU/EEA students
Tuition fees: EUR 15,800 (Tuition (Year)) — International students; EUR 1,906 (Tuition (Year)) — EU/EEA students
IELTS requirement: 7
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Contact Leiden University directly for scholarship, grant, and financial aid information for this programme. Many European universities offer merit-based and need-based funding for international and domestic students.
About Leiden University
Leiden University
Leiden, Netherlands
Visit the university profile page to learn more about this institution.
University Profile- Application Deadline Dec, 2026
- Start Date Feb, 2027
- Language English
- Duration 12 months
