South and Southeast Asian Studies

First Year

Second Year

Third Year

The third year offers the opportunity to fill out 30 EC (discretionary space) with a minor or electives: 15 EC during the first (fall) semester and 15 EC during the second (spring) semester. Students can opt to either choose one of the standard minors offered, do an internship or work placement or, alternatively, compose a package from the elective courses on offer following their own interests. They should be aware, however, that the courses need to have a certain cohesion regarding their content. Students who opt to compose a package of their own choice are therefore strongly advised to contact the study co-ordinator and to get approval from the Board of Examiners before getting started to avoid problems afterwards. For this you can use the form on the website.

More info

Attainment levels Description of the programme Related master programmes/ pre-master tracks Regulations Study guidance Parttime and fulltime

1. Attainment levels

An overview of the attainment levels of the BA programma South and Southeast Asian Studies can be found in the Teaching and Examination Regulations

2. Description of the programme

The three-years bachelor programme South and Southeast Asian Studies provides students with a thorough knowledge of a fascinating and dynamic region. The emphasis lies on India, Tibet and Indonesia, but other countries in South and Southeast Asia will also be discussed. The approach to this regional studies programme is multidisciplinary and offers students the possibility to acquire knowledge about e.g. the languages, religions, art, culture and current politics of the region. Students can specialize in specific countries of South and Southeast Asia and in the following languages: Indonesian, Hindi, Tibetan, and Sanskrit. Studying one of these languages will help extend the knowledge of the various cultures of South and Southeast Asia.

Programme curriculum

The first year: propaedeuse During the first year, the programme lays a foundation for studying various aspects of the region, e.g. the history, culture and modern society in South and Southeast Asia. Students also choose a number of courses themselves: they opt for one of the four languages and for one of the three major religions in the region. In addition, special attention will be devoted to the academic skills necessary for successfully completing the BA during the course “Seminar 1: Classical Cultures of SSEA”. Furthermore, one course, “Area Studies”, will be taken together with other students of the Faculty of Humanities.

The second year In the second year, all students will take a course entitled “Cultural Dynamics of South and South East Asia: Ramayana” in the first semester and “Seminar 2: Heritage of SSEA” (in even years) or “Seminar 2: Futures of SSEA (in odd years) in the second semester, which elaborate on the first-year course “Seminar 1”. The student, furthermore, continue studying the language they have chosen in the first year. The programme, moreover, offers a choice between two specializations: “Modern South and Modern Southeast Asia” and “Classical Cultures of South and Southeast Asia”. For two semesters, students attend lectures belonging to the chosen specialization. They also attend an elective course SSEA during both semesters of the second year. This elective course can be either a course from the “own” specialization or a course from the other specialization.

The third year During the first semester of the third year, students go abroad to gain more in-depth knowledge of the relevant language and region. There is an alternative programme in Leiden for students who are unable to go abroad. During the second semester, students attend “Seminar 3: Heritage of SSEA” (in even years) or “Seminar 3: Futures of SSEA” (in odd years) which elaborate on “Seminar 2: Futures of SSEA” (in odd years) or “Seminar 2: Heritage of SSEA” (in even years). In addition, each student writes a BA Thesis.

Discretionary space In addition, the students take electives to fill the discretionary space of 30 EC in total during the third year. Students can choose to take courses from a completely different field (“broadening”). Students can also choose to take courses from the SSEAS programme (“deepening”). It is also possible to obtain a part of the 30 EC with an internship. More information (in Dutch) on the different electives and options can be found on the relevant website.

3. Related master programmes/ pre-master tracks

The bachelor diploma South and Southeast Asia Studies (SSEAS) gives access to the masters Asian Studies (60 EC).

4. Regulations

Binding Study Advice (BSA) For students who first registered as doing a major at Leiden University after 1996, the “Leiden study system” with Binding Study Advice applies. This system sets out requirements regarding the academic achievements of the first-year student, but also offers better guidance by way of the mentorship and study progress sessions with the coordinator of studies. The aim of this system is finding out as quickly as possibly whether the student is fit for the newly chosen studies and whether the studies fit the student. To receive a positive advice, the student should obtain at least 45 EC of the propaedeuse programme during the first year INCLUDING the following component: Classical Cultures of SSEA: Seminar I. Furthermore, they have to complete the full propaedeuse programme within two years. The board of examiners will provide two written recommendations during the first year. The board of examiners provides the first progress advice in January, which will be based on the achievements of the first semester. Students who end their enrolments before 1 February of the current academic year are no longer entitled to a study advice or a binding study advice. The second advice will follow no later than 15 August. Students who have obtained less than 45 EC will receive a binding negative advice. This means that the students in question are not allowed to continue the South and Southeast Asian Studies programme in Leiden. The limitation period for this rejection is four years. Naturally, personal circumstances will be taken into account, such as illness or serious family reasons. It is therefore important that students inform the coordinator of studies about personal problems in a timely fashion. The department keeps a file of every student with information that is relevant to the BSA. The student is entitled to examine this file (at the coordinator of studies’) and to add information to this file.

The programme imposes additional requirements regarding components that have to be completed for the first binding study advice being the following component: Classical Cultures of SSEA: Seminar I.

5. Study guidance

During the first year, the students get intensive coaching by a mentor and a student mentor. The coordinator of studies co-ordinates the coaching and has more formal and individual conversations with the students if necessary. As of the second semester, the coordinator of studies and student mentor discuss the organization of the curriculum for the next semester with each student individually.

6. Parttime and fulltime

The BA programme South and Southeast Asian Studies is offered as a fulltime programme only.