B.A. South Asian Studies
Our multi and interdisciplinary, practice-oriented degree program focuses on teaching and combining practical linguistic, philological, cultural, social and natural science topics related to the region of South Asia.
The diverse range of disciplines at the institute allows you to specialize individually according to your own interests and preferences, or to take a broad-based approach. The regional focus on South Asia always remains as a framework. Disciplines that can be studied in the program are: Buddhist Studies, Development Economics, Anthropology, Geography, History, Modern Languages and Literatures of South Asia, Cultural and Religious History of South Asia (Classical Indology), and Political Science.
It can be chosen within a variety of programme structures; those who chose it as their major spend the fifth semester in South Asia for an internship, a study abroad or participation in current research. This helps consolidate the theoretical knowledge acquired previously and provides students with great chances on the job market.
Unique language program on the region of South Asia
At our institute you can take intensive language courses in Bengali, Hindi, Classical Tibetan, Sanskrit, Tamil, and Urdu. Depending on your preference, the language curriculum can extend to up to 5 semesters in the Bachelor's program and three semesters in the Master's program. In addition, we also offer courses on Dari, Nepali, Pali, and Sinhala each semester. You can study these languages for up to four semesters each.
Mobility window
A special feature of the program is the mobility window, which allows major students to put their theoretical knowledge to the test in the field. For this purpose, we send our students to South Asia in the fifth semester. In order to meet the individual study paths, interests, and career plans of our students, we offer three options for the mobility window: (1) completing an internship with a national or international NGO or company, or official and international agencies, (2) studying at a South Asian university for one semester, or (3) participating in a current research project of the South Asia Institute on site in South Asia.
Study and research environment
The South Asia Institute is Europe's leading center for South Asian studies, characterized by interdisciplinary teaching and research that addresses the regional diversity of South Asia. Scholars at our institute have been studying the countries of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka for more than 60 years. Together with our international research network and our branch offices in several South Asian countries, we offer all students and researchers an ideal platform for interdisciplinary applied learning and research.
Admission requirements
- University entrance qualification (e.g. Abitur / Matura / High School Diploma / Baccalauréat)
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If your first language is not German, you must also take a German language test (DSH) before matriculation or submit an official test result of a German language test (equivalent to the DSH) with your application.
