Master of Arts in South Asian Studies (MASAS)

The Master of Arts in South Asian Studies (MASAS) at Heidelberg University is a two-year, research-oriented programme designed for students seeking deep engagement with South Asia’s diverse and rapidly evolving region. Combining interdisciplinary disciplines like anthropology, development economics, geography, history, and political science, the programme examines historical and contemporary societal, political, and economic developments, as well as the interactions between environment and society across nine countries. Students select a primary disciplinary focus while benefiting from small, international class formats and specialised language training in languages like Bengali, Hindi, or Urdu. The curriculum emphasises academic writing, critical thinking, and independent research, culminating in a research colloquium and a master’s thesis. The programme also offers unique resources, including guest professorships and access to Europe’s largest South Asian book and journal collection.

• Engage in interdisciplinary research on South Asia’s societal, political, and environmental dynamics across nine countries.
• Select and specialise in a primary disciplinary focus (Anthropology, Development Economics, Geography, History, or Political Science).
• Develop advanced academic writing and critical thinking skills through seminars, lectures, and research colloquia.
• Conduct independent research and develop a research proposal for the master’s thesis under faculty supervision.
• Participate in practical courses applying specialised methods, such as historical source analysis, statistical analysis, or environmental data evaluation.
• Present research designs and receive feedback in interactive research colloquia.
• Complete a 30 ECTS master’s thesis in the chosen focus discipline, demonstrating critical analysis and contextualisation.