Program Overview

Program Overview

The Master's program in Development, Environment, Societies, and History of South Asia focuses on historical, societal, and current political and economic developments and events, as well as physiogeographical processes, in the countries of South-East Asia: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, as well as Tibet and the regions surrounding the Himalayas.

Facts and Formalities

• Degree: Master of Arts
• Type of programme: Consecutive
• Start of programme: Winter and summer semester
• Standard period of study: 4 semesters
• Language(s) of instruction: English
• Fees and contributions: 161.10 € / Semester
• Application procedure: Consecutive master’s programmes with access restriction
• Application deadlines: Information about deadlines can be obtained after you have put together a degree program.
• Part-time option: Yes
• May be studied as a minor subject: Yes
• Can be completed entirely in English: Yes
• International degree program: Yes

Course Content

The degree programme introduces students to multi- and interdisciplinary approaches and enables them to independently and critically work in multicultural environments. To this end, the students select at least one area of specialisation in which they acquire advanced scientific expertise that will then be applied during completion of the Master's thesis. In addition, students also combine this special field with subject modules from other disciplines (supplementary modules).

Course Structure

The Master’s degree programme provides students with numerous possible combinations and simultaneously emphasises a sound, disciplinary education in a chosen area of specialisation. The option of pursuing a doctorate after the academic programme is ensured by the choice of specialisation. The chosen (first) specialisation and the examination module (Master's thesis and final oral examinations) constitute the study focus.

Academic Programme Structure

The academic programme in the major subject is divided into three areas:

• Compulsory area: This area is mandatory for all students.
• Compulsory elective area: Here students choose a study focus from the disciplines on offer.
• Elective area: In this area, students are free to choose modules from the other courses on offer.

Specialisations and Modules

The modules in the specialisations build on one another. In general, the first module covers the basics learned in the Bachelor’s programme in more detail. The aim is to ensure that all students, irrespective of their academic background, are at the same level.

Degree Options

The degree programme is offered as a:

• Major subject
• Major subject in combination with a minor subject
• Minor subject

Language Options

Students can learn a South Asian language or increase their knowledge of a South Asian language by combining the course with a minor subject from the range of Master’s courses offered in the linguistics department of the South Asia Institute.