Overview

The South and Southeast Asian Studies program from University of California, Berkeley provides opportunities to explore the rich cultural, social, and religious histories of South and Southeast Asia as well as the living contemporary cultures of these areas. The curriculum covers cultural history, the classical literary canon, religious literature, folk and popular works, oral traditions, and performance media (including recitation, musical and dramatic performance, dance, and film), and modern literatures of the colonial and post-colonial periods.

Learning outcomes

Advanced proficiency in the language of emphasis is a central goal, as is the ability to undertake the sophisticated textual study of a broad range of literary works in that language.

Students are encouraged to take advantage of the extensive opportunities for interdisciplinary linkages by pursuing courses offered by the South and Southeast Asia faculty in other departments on the UCB campus. Students are also encouraged to pursue courses and independent reading that will familiarize them with pertinent methods in the various disciplines (such as contemporary literary theory, ethnographic theory, historiography, and cultural studies theory). Appropriate comparative work on Asian and non-Asian cultures is encouraged as well.

The PhD in South and Southeast Asian Studies prepares students for academic careers in teaching and research not only in South and Southeast Asian Studies, but also in comparative literature, religious studies, history, asian studies, and cultural studies.

Programme Structure

Curriculum:

A minimum of twenty units of course work in graduate status at UCB, including at least two graduate seminars in the language of emphasis (which may be taken outside the Department, with permission of the Head Graduate Adviser) and the departmental Methods Seminar (SSEAS 294);

A historical knowledge of the area of emphasis, demonstrated by appropriate course work.

Completion of a Master’s thesis, supervised by a committee of three faculty members;

Advanced competence in the language of emphasis, as demonstrated by course work through the third-year level or the equivalent and completion of seminar and thesis research in that language;

Advancement to M.A. candidacy.

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-08-21 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-17 00:00:00

Language

English

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Credits

30 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Berkeley, United States

Disciplines

Asian studies View 96 other Masters in Asian studies in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

English requirements

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Other requirements

General requirements

Unofficial Transcript

Toefl Or Ietls If Applicable

3 Letters Of Recommendation

Personal Statement

Statement Of Purpose (1-2 Single Spaced Pages)

A Writing Sample (No Less Than 15 Pages)

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

6570 USD / year

≈ 6570 USD / year
Out-of-State

6570 USD / year

≈ 6570 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

6570 USD / year

≈ 6570 USD / year

Living costs

Berkeley

United States

1750 - 2820 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

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Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

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Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for South and Southeast Asian Studies.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Learning outcomes

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Berkeley

Financing

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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