Studies

Students can apply to do Asian Studies as their major subject through the Faculty of Arts.

Bachelor's degree (BA) includes basic studies (25 cr) and intermediate studies (35 cr) complemented by a language module (30 cr) . The aim of the studies is to provide the student with sufficient laguage abilities in one language (Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Turkish, Hindi, Sanskrit).

Master's degree (MA) can be accomplished in one of the following area tracks within the programme:

• East Asian Studies (China, Korea, Japan)
• Altaic Studies (Mongolia, Mantsuria, Siperia, Turkestan, Tiibet)
• South Asian Studies (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh)
• Indoeuropeistics (Sanskrit)

Asian Studies as a diagram (pdf)

In basic studies, students learn the basic Asian Studies concepts and approaches. They will also do introductory area-specific courses.

Intermediate studies will deepen the students' knowledge of Asian Studies concepts and approaches, which they will apply to their chosen area track. Students will also dig deeper into this specialisation. For major students, the proseminar, designed to help interdisciplinary academic writing, is an obligatory course.

Advanced studies seeks to further deepen the students' expertise in both Asian Studies and in their chosen area track. The students are provided with the necessary methodological skills and knowledge to help them write their final thesis. This pro gradu thesis is an obligatory part of Advanced Studies for all major students.

Completing Asian Studies successfully will require perseverance and often independent working. Language studies and fieldwork in the relevant country are included in the advanced studies in East Asian Studies, Altaic Studies and South Asian Studies.

Asian studies as a minor: students registered in the University of Helsinki can take Asian studies as their minor. However, in some language courses the priority is given to the Asian studies majors. As a minor, the student can take the basic studies (25 credits) and/or the language module (30 etcs, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Sanskrit, Hindi, Turkish, courses 1-3). The language model can be extended to 35 etcs with one extra course from the advanced studies. In addition, the student can take the intermediate studies (35 etcs).