Modern Indian Studies (M.A.)

Features

Looking for an English-language interdisciplinary M.A. programme that offers research-based, innovative and critical perspectives on contemporary India?
Want to analyse and understand the social, economic, political and cultural transformations that characterize India today?
Like to become part of a vibrant, stimulating centre in an international academic environment?

If your answer to these questions is yes, then apply now for the M.A. programme in Modern Indian Studies at CeMIS!
CeMIS has developed into a world-class centre of research and teaching focusing on South Asia. CeMIS’ interdisciplinary breadth, thematic focus on difference and inequality in contemporary society, and vast range of intellectual and institutional resources make it unique among Indian Studies centres around the world.

Name:: Modern Indian Studies (M.A.)
Degree:: Master of Arts (M.A.)
Language of the programme:: English
Standard period of study:: 4 semesters
Start of studies:: Winter semester
Admission:: open

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Introductory Week WS 2024/25

15.-18. October 2024

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Programme description

The Masters in Modern Indian Studies is a single major, four-semester programme. As this is an international study programme attracting students from around the world, all courses are conducted in English. Students may choose to complete either an M.A. in Modern Indian Studies in general or with a study focus. To obtain a master’s degree, students must complete 120 credits, including a master’s thesis (30 credits). For detailed information click here .

Course Overview

Aside from the two-semester introductory course "Interdisciplinary Studies of Modern India" students are free to select their courses as well as the theoretical and analytical foci of their theses. They are also required to study a modern Indian language. Students may also pursue one of three formally recognised specialisations within the M. A. programme. Areas of specialisation include Development Economics of India, Historical Sociology, and Anthropology of Power. For a specialisation in Development Economics of India, students have to fulfil specific admission requirements (30 credits in Economics).

Students have the option of completing a semester at a partner university in India or at another university of their own choice. CeMIS works closely with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and other funding institutions in order to assist students in securing financial support for studies abroad and for archival and field research.

Career Opportunities

Through the M.A. programme, students develop important skills, knowledge and expertise to work in range of fields. These include prospective careers in Indian or transnational enterprises, development cooperation, associations, administration and government agencies, NGOs, the tourism sector, and media and communications. Students may also choose to pursue an academic career in research and teaching. The Master’s Programme serves as a qualification for those who wish to pursue a PhD.

Related and consecutive programmes

Related programmes

Consecutive/graduate programmes

Social Sciences (Ph.D./doctorate)

Features

Structure

The M. A. in Modern Indian Studies is designed to offer students a great deal of flexibility in their study plan, allowing them to develop and pursue their own interests within the interdisciplinary study program. Students may choose to complete either an M.A. in Modern Indian Studies in general or with a study focus. To obtain a master’s degree, students must complete 120 credits, including a master’s thesis (30 credits).

In this interdisciplinary foundation course students acquire an understanding of the central academic debates taking place in the disciplines involved and are introduced to specific aspects of academic writing in Modern Indian Studies

Scope: 24 Credits

Students can choose one study focus among three formally recognised specialisations within the M. A. programme:

1. Development Economics of India
2. Historical Sociology
3. Anthropology of Power

For detailed information click here .

For a specialisation in Development Economics of India, students have to fulfil specific admission requirements (see Chapter Application).

Scope: 24 Credits

Students can choose among various modules on a broad range of topics in the areas of

State and Democracy
Society and Culture
Modern Indian History
Political Sociology of Religions
Indian Economic Development
Inequality and Diversity
Labour and Capital in Modern India and
Media and Public Spheres

Scope: 30 Credits

Students can choose among various modules on a broad range of topics in the areas of

State and Democracy
Society and Culture
Modern Indian History
Political Sociology of Religions
Indian Economic Development
Inequality and Diversity
Labour and Capital in Modern India and
Media and Public Spheres

Scope: 54 Credits

You can fill this section from a range of admissible modules. The University of Göttingen offers a wide range of qualification courses developing skills in various areas of competence outside your major degree. To learn more, visit Key competencies .

Scope: 12 Credits:

You are free to fill this area with modules of your choice from the permissible range. University of Göttingen offers a wide range of qualification courses in various competence areas.

Scope: 12 Credits

On the basis of your master’s project developed together with your supervisor in the previous semesters, you will write your master’s thesis in the fourth semester which is the ﬁnal step towards your degree.

Scope: 30 Credits

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Details

Application

Application deadlines:

Non-EU applicants in the previous year until November 15th for the winter semester

Applicants from the EU until May 15th for the winter semester
- Non-EU applicants are foreign nationals and stateless persons with a recognised certificate of previous education who are neither equivalent to Germans according to legal regulations nor nationals of another member state of the European Union or another state party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area. This does not apply to foreign nationals and stateless persons who have obtained their Bachelor's degree or an equivalent degree at a German higher education institution or at a higher education institution of another Member State of the European Union or of another State party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area.
Lottery procedure:
- From October 1st – 5th for the winter semester
  - As there is a very short period of 2 weeks between admission and the commencement of teaching, applicants must consider visa requirements.
Previous studies:
- B.A.-degree or equivalent degree
- At least 150 ECTS at the time of application
- Eligibility: proof of achievements of at least 50 ECTS in a related field
  - Related fields are development studies, geography, history, gender or diversity studies, Indian studies, Indology, Islam studies, ethnology or cultural anthropology, media studies, political science, religious studies, social and economic history, sociology or economics.
  - Please note: If you want to study Modern Indian Studies with a study focus on Development Economics of India, 30 ECTS of the required 50 ECTS have to be in Economics.
Language requirements:
- Proof of proficiency in English . Applicants who are not native English speakers will need to prove sufficient knowledge of English by submitting a certificate stating that they have passed an internationally recognised test, unless they can claim an exemption. For details click here .
- German language skills are not required for this programme. If you wish to take German language courses, these can be selected as part of the Area of Key Competencies and Professionalisation courses during the academic programme.
Please check the entry requirements carefully , because these are hard criteria for admission. Every year, we receive applications from successful and motivated students who are not eligible and whom we unfortunately have to reject.