Languages and Cultures of Southeast Asia University of Hamburg

Courses are held in English (100%).

The International Master's programme in Languages and Cultures of Southeast Asia offers a two-year programme exploring the languages and cultures of three regions: Indonesian and Malay Studies (also including the Philippines), Thai Studies (also including Lao Studies), and Vietnamese Studies. Furthermore, Thai Studies can also be studied as a regional specialisation in the MA programme in Buddhist Studies.

Our programme targets German and international students, particularly BA graduates of Southeast Asian Studies programmes from around the world. The programme is taught in English and applicants must submit a certificate of English language proficiency equivalent to the B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Besides imparting intercultural skills, the programme focuses on the languages, cultures, histories, and societies of an important, culturally diverse, and dynamic Asian region. In accordance with the high academic standards of Universität Hamburg, students receive rigorous training in one of the programme’s three areas of concentration.

The MA programme prepares students for both academic and practical careers as well as for doctoral programmes in Southeast Asian Studies. The MA graduate of our programme will have a profound knowledge of the cultures of the Southeast Asian region, of at least one of the languages taught, and will be trained in carrying out independent research and applying other critical academic skills.

1 May to 15 June of each year

The first year of the programme comprises eight compulsory modules and a range of electives, while the second year contains a semester abroad and a semester to write the concluding thesis. The modules taught in the first year explore Southeast Asian literatures and media in the first semester and Southeast Asian history and society in the second. The Theories and Methods module, which spans both semesters, is aimed at forging a connection between teaching and research of the department and will provide students with insights into a number of disciplines and research methodologies. Students may choose one of the three regional specialisations (Indonesian/Malay/Filipino, Thai, or Vietnamese Studies), all of which are related to the research profiles of the Asia Africa Institute and the Department of the Languages and Cultures of Southeast Asia. Our research spectrum includes such diverse fields as manuscript cultures, modern literature, history, religion, and society.

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The MA Languages and Cultures of Southeast Asia includes a semester abroad (third semester; equivalent to 30 CP), either in Southeast Asia (for European students) or in a European university with a programme in Southeast Asia (for Southeast Asian students, who can also study in Southeast Asian countries other than their own).

No tuition fees

There is a semester fee of approx. 340 EUR per semester. This fee includes a semester ticket covering public transport in the Hamburg metropolitan area.

Without additional costs for further insurances, private vehicles, etc., you ought to expect the following expenses:

• housing: approx. 400 to 700 EUR per month
• living expenses: approx. 500 to 700 EUR per month

University degree

Indonesian, Malay and Philippine Studies: A "Sprachen und Kulturen Südostasiens" Bachelor's degree (focus on Indonesian and Malay Studies, Filipino) or a comparable Bachelor's conferred by a German institution or officially recognised international academic institution.

Thai Studies: A "Sprachen und Kulturen Südostasiens" Bachelor's degree (focus on Thai Studies) or a comparable Bachelor's conferred by a German institution or officially recognised international academic institution

Vietnamese Studies: A "Sprachen und Kulturen Südostasiens" Bachelor's degree (focus on Vietnamese Studies) or a comparable Bachelor's of a German or officially recognised international academic institution or alternatively for all areas of concentration named above: a first qualifying degree conferred by a German institution or officially recognised international academic institution with a minimum of 15 credit points (ECTS) in the field of linguistics, literature, history, society or religion in Southeast Asia

If you have not received your degree certificate yet, you can submit it by the end of the first semester of your Master’s programme.

Applicants must submit a certificate of English language proficiency equivalent to the B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Indonesian and Malay Studies: Proof of competence in Bahasa Indonesia or Bahasa Malaysia with a minimum of 25 credit points (ECTS) is required. Native speakers do not need proof of competence.

Thai Studies: Proof of competence in Thai with a minimum of 25 credit points (ECTS) is required. Native speakers do not need proof of competence.

Vietnamese Studies: Proof of competence in Vietnamese with a minimum of 25 credit points (ECTS) is required. Native speakers do not need proof of competence.

1 May to 15 June of each year

International full-time students may apply for merit scholarships or exam grants granted by Universität Hamburg. For more information, please use the provided link. We also recommend contacting our colleagues in the Department of International Affairs for further guidance.
http://www.uni-hamburg.de/internationales/studieren-an-der-uhh/finanzierung-des-studiums_e.html

Are you looking for a part-time job? Stellenwerk, Hamburg's cross-university job platform posts attractive job and internship advertisements every day.

Part-time work, an internship, or self-employment—the Counselling Centre for Social & International Affairs (BeSI) advises you on all aspects of social security.

Students from countries outside the EU, the EEA, and Switzerland are subject to special regulations for part-time work when studying. Contact the Counselling Centre for Social & International Affairs for more information.

There are several job opportunities in diverse areas of Universität Hamburg. Many of these jobs are offered exclusively to students enrolled at the university. For job ads of this kind, check out departmental bulletin boards, departmental websites, www.stellenwerk.de (wanted ads for Hamburg’s universities), or ask directly in your department.

• tutors
• student assistants (in the academic area) and student employees (in the administrative area)
• library assistants
• test subjects for studies conducted in the fields of psychology or in the social sciences

Are you searching for an apartment or a room? Although affordable housing in Hamburg is rare, please do not despair. Patience and luck will help you find suitable accommodation.

Start looking for accommodation as soon as you can. For more information on how to find accommodation, please visit: Finding accommodation in Hamburg.

For more information on how to find accommodation and how to plan your first steps in Hamburg, please see: https://www.uni-hamburg.de/piasta/beratung/doc/willkommen.pdf.