Program Overview

Program Overview

The Faculty of Philosophy at Heidelberg University offers a unique Bachelor's program in South Asian Studies, providing students in Europe with the opportunity to explore geographical, social, and economic aspects of South Asian culture. This program combines historical and philological aspects, alongside linguistic and cultural traditions of South Asia, and considers a broad field of contemporary, modern regional studies.

Facts and Formalities

• Degree: Bachelor of Arts
• Type of programme: Undergraduate
• Start of programme: Winter semester only
• Standard period of study: 6 semesters
• Language(s) of instruction: German, English, possibly South Asian languages
• Fees and contributions: 161.10 € / Semester
• Application procedure: Subjects with no admission restrictions
• Application deadlines: Information about deadlines can be obtained after you have put together a degree program.
• Part-time option: Yes

Course Content

South Asian studies focus on the historical, current political and economic developments, events, languages and media, religions, and geographical processes that characterize and influence countries in South Asia. Countries considered include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, as well as Tibet and the Indian Himalayan region.

From the start of the degree programme, students are encouraged to develop multi- and interdisciplinary working methods, enabling them to work effectively in multilingual and multicultural environments. Students select an area of specialism and combine this with specialist modules from other disciplines, learn at least one language spoken in South Asia, and are able to specialize in a specific region where they might spend a semester.

Intensive language courses ensure that students are able to understand and methodically process texts written in their chosen regional language. Students are able to attend introductory and advanced language courses offered as part of the Institute’s Summer School programme.

Course Structure

The major subject with a weighting of 75% consists of four course elements:

1. Compulsory elements include a one-year lecture series entitled, “An Introduction to South Asia”, a work placement spent abroad in a South Asian country, a period of study abroad or a period of field research in the fifth semester, as well as a final oral examination and a Bachelor’s thesis, which are completed in the sixth semester.
2. A second compulsory elective element requires that students study a language. Students attend intensive language courses in one of the languages offered.
3. An additional compulsory elective element necessitates that students select a further area of specialisation from the subjects on offer. In total, students must complete three subject modules.
4. In the elective element, students may select one further language or subject module. Students may also select a regional module.
5. The fifth element consists of generic competences, for which students must complete the course, “Academic Working Methods” in the first semester, as well as the practice class entitled, “Reflecting on Practice” following a period spent abroad in the fifth semester. Students may select additional courses in this area from those offered by the University.

Additional Degrees

• Bachelor 25%
• Bachelor 50%
• Bachelor 100%