Universiteit Leiden

nl en

South and Southeast Asian Studies (BA)

South and Southeast Asia is one of the world’s most dynamic and diverse areas. Interested in speaking one of its major languages, and understanding its history, culture, and current affairs? Then this is the programme for you!

South and Southeast Asian Studies at Leiden University

Due to the selected cookie settings, we cannot show this video here.

Watch the video on the original website or

Why study South and Southeast Asian Studies

In the South and Southeast Asian Studies programme you gain a thorough understanding of the history, cultures, and politics of a region which is home to almost a third of the world’s population (including two-thirds of its Muslims) and to some of the world’s fastest-growing economies. Relevant contemporary issues such as ethnic and religious conflicts, inequality and development, the surge in cultural and political movements and the tensions between modernity and tradition are addressed in lectures and seminars. 

Why South and Southeast Asian Studies at Leiden University?

  • The Leiden University programme is unique: the only bachelor’s in the Netherlands where you can study languages and cultures of the region at a multidisciplinary, academic level.
  • Language is the key to knowing and understanding a culture. This is why language acquisition is an important part of the programme. You will learn either Hindi, Sanskrit, Tibetan, or Indonesian.
  • There is plenty of room to tailor the programme according to your interests. You can choose to specialise on (part of) a region or on the South and Southeast Asian region as a whole. Also, you can opt to focus either on modern society or on the classical cultures of the area.
  • You will have access to the world-renowned Asian Library at Leiden University Library, as well as to the Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies (KITLV) and the International Institute of Asian Studies (IIAS).
  • In the third year you will study a semester at an international university. Those studying the Indonesian language will go to Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, students of Hindi to the University of Hyderabad, and those studying Sanskrit or Tibetan to a European University.

Shanté Neese

Student

Shanté Neese

"Radhika Gupta, the professor of 'Nation, Community, Self', always asks us if we have any input about the readings or the lectures. There is always room for discussion, I like that. There is also a kind of personal bond with most professors, like with the Indonesian classes, where everyone knows your name."

Yara van Holten

Alumna

Yara van Holten

"The South and Southeast Asia Studies programme focuses on other cultures. A lot of attention is given to foreign cultures and how they differ from our own: we are used to many other habits and customs. During my bachelor’s I travelled to Indonesia to work on my language skills and familiarise myself with the culture. This experience taught me a great deal in terms of how to adapt to different cultures, a skill that comes in handy in my current job where I am regularly working with international students and staff."

Is this programme for you?

In this programme you gain the academic, language, and practical skills essential to research, analyse, understand, and formulate creative answers to the tough questions arising from this dynamic region. Are you/do you:

  • Fascinated by the historical context and  emerging possibilities of this region?
  • Want to specialise in one country or area, diving deep into specific issues?
  • Want to learn from the top academics and lecturers in the field?
  • Looking to broaden your perspectives by studying with international students?

Then South and Southeast Asian Studies is the programme for you! Check out the programme structure

Online Experience South and Southeast Asian Studies

Want to know if this is the right study for you? Check out our online experience and find out more. This experience consists of online mini-courses with a few assignments.
Take the online experience!

Sanskrit wall poem in Leiden

Due to the selected cookie settings, we cannot show this video here.

Watch the video on the original website or

There are hundreds of writing systems in the world. Some of these are commonly known, like our Latin alphabet, the Arabic script, Egyptian hieroglyphics and Chinese characters. But what do you know about the Devanagari script? Check out Dr. Tijmen Pronk's introduction to the writing system of a poem in Sanskrit. The poem is part of the famous Leiden Wall Poems.

Chat with a student

Do you have a question about studying at leiden University or student life in Leiden? Do you want more information about the South and Southeast Asian Studies programme? Chat with a current student for answers to your questions!

This website uses cookies. More information.