Prospective students

B.A. in "Moderne Indienstudien" (double-major)

The B.A. programme is in German. Bewerbungsfristen: Bei einem zulassungsbeschränkten Zweitfach der 15. Juli und bei einem zulassungsfreien Zweitfach der 30. September. Für internationale Bewerber*innen endet die Bewerbungsfrist bereits am 30. April.

Interested in India today? In vital social, political and economic issues around inequality and development, migration, work, populism, religious diversity, caste and (post)colonialism? Want to understand these issues more deeply? To learn how to look at them from different perspectives – historical, political, anthropological, religious, economic? To look beyond Europe and European thinking?

Then the B.A. in "Moderne Indienstudien" is for you.

Please note: The B.A. in "Moderne Indienstudien" is a German-language study programme, the MA in Modern Indian Studies is an English-language programme.

India: complex and diverse

A complex and diverse country, India is constantly undergoing transformation. The B.A. programme looks at these transformations by focusing on current economic, social, political, religious, and cultural developments:

How does cultural and religious diversity influence social development in India?
How are social inequality and religious diversity addressed in India’s democratic system?
How can dynamic economic development unfold within a pluralistic society?

Complex topics require a holistic view

Adopting a single disciplinary perspective is insufficient to answer such complex questions, or to analyze and understand an ever-transforming India. A multifaceted or "interdisciplinary" approach is therefore necessary.

I completed a double major B.A. in politics, and in Modern Indian Studies at CeMIS, where I also wrote my bachelor thesis. The courses at CeMIS gave me a very good fundamental understanding of India’s history and society. In addition to the excellent quality of the courses, I especially enjoyed the atmosphere and support from the lecturers at the centre. At the moment, I am doing my Master in Peace and Conflict Studies in Marburg, and I am very happy to have gained such a good foundation during my bachelor studies. The BA at CeMIS definitely gave me the necessary qualifications for the Master (keyword: program requirements), and I’m grateful that I had such a good time there! - Nils Nerreter, MA student in Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Marburg

An "interdisciplinary" course of studies

In the B.A. and M.A. degree courses at CeMIS, various disciplinary perspectives – political science, economic, social and cultural anthropological, religious science and historical – are brought together. This "interdisciplinary approach" helps develop a more profound understanding of complex phenomena and developments in modern India. Not only does the B.A. programme offer students the opportunity to look beyond Europe, but also beyond a typically European perspective.

In the course of their studies, students develop both a profound knowledge of India, and have the opportunity to find out which topics and disciplinary approaches interest them most. In doing so, students gain the ability to grasp the central themes of "Modern Indian Studies", to independently develop questions, and to implement them in practice.

Follow your interests and create a unique and desirable profile

You can develop your own thematic focus within "Moderne Indienstudien" through the choices you select. It is also possible to formally focus on Development Economics , which will then be mentioned in your official degree certificate.

As part of a double-major, the B.A. in "Moderne Indienstudien" is combined with another subject. This targeted combination with another study programme also offers the unique opportunity to develop a non-European perspective on global issues, and as such, "Moderne Indienstudien" can prove an excellent complement to a subject with a primary focus on Europe or North America, such as sociology, political science or history. For a list of majors that "Moderne Indienstudien" can be combined with, click here. You can find out more from the study advisor.

For more information, see the flyer (pdf).

I was looking for a diverse study program that allowed me to develop a profound understanding from different disciplinary perspectives. CeMIS offered me the perfect mix: political science, economics and language studies, and all with a focus on South Asia. After my BA in Interdisciplinary Indian Studies, during which I completed two semesters abroad at the National University of Singapore and an internship in India, my first corporate stint was at the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce in Mumbai where I worked on establishing a German Energy Efficiency Training for Companies in India. After that, I started my own company: a marketing agency in Mumbai that employs only women. My understanding of the Indian market, culture and language, as well as my German background, create a unique combination of expertise that many Indian and German companies are looking for when introducing their product into the foreign market. - Gwenda Schobert, CEO of Enspireco Services Pvt Ltd

Structure of study programme

BA Programme Points

Find more information in the right-hand column or in the flyer.

Languages

As many texts, and some elective courses, are in English, students typically improve their language skills quickly. Students are also required to attend courses in a modern Indian language such as Hindi.

I founded my own Indo-German Consulting company at the beginning of 2017. Prior to that, I worked for different Indian companies, mostly in Tamil-Nadu. Before I started my studies at CeMIS, I was an ordinary law student at the University of Göttingen. But thanks to CeMIS, I developed a much deeper insight into Indian culture. This was essential for me and my life in India — on both a professional and academic level, not to mention in everyday life. - Christian Garrelt Saathoff, Managing Partner, CG-S GmbH - Indo-German Business Network

Perspectives / Career Opportunities

In the B.A. in "Moderne Indienstudien", you will develop important skills, knowledge and experience sought after in a number of different international work fields. Amongst other things, you will learn how to approach problems from a number of different perspectives and in their full complexity. You will improve your English language skills, learn an Indian language, develop intercultural skills and experience, and develop a perspective that goes beyond that of the “global north”. You will also experience life beyond the west (and not just as a tourist) and develop specialised knowledge about India, the second largest country in the world and one of its largest economies. The knowledge, skills and experience you develop through the B.A. in “Moderne Indienstudien” open up entry points to a range of areas of work, including in Indian or transnational enterprises, in development cooperation, in associations, in administration and in government agencies, in NGOs, the tourism sector, as well as in media and communications. You may also choose to pursue an academic career in research and teaching. The B.A. Programme serves as a qualification to enter this and a number of other M.A. programmes. A vital aspect in developing a career path is the combination with your other major, your internship experience and your other, non-subject specific skills and qualifications. Further information about careers can be found in the right-hand panel or in this PDF. The university also offers a Careers Service, and information and events about internships and job applications.

Obviously, I really enjoyed the MA programme at CeMIS, because I started on my PhD— on manual scavengers in colonial Calcutta—as soon as I finished. As an MA and PhD student, CeMIS has provided me with an extremely stimulating and supportive intellectual environment, and most importantly for me, has allowed me to pursue my interests in modern India - Maria-Daniela Pomohaci, CeMIS PhD student

Areas of focus

The teaching programme and research at CeMIS is organized into five broad, interdisciplinary categories:

To find out more, download the B.A. flyer here (in German) or click here for English-language information

What is the difference between Indology and modern Indian studies at CeMIS?

Indology focuses on linguistic and religious studies, and is mainly concerned with classical Indian languages such as Sanskrit, Pali and Hindi and their literatures and texts, as well as Indian religions. In contrast, CeMIS adopts an interdisciplinary approach to modern India (from around 1800 onwards), with a particular emphasis on postcolonial India. Knowledge in modern Indian languages is therefore essential for us. In contrast to Indology, however, we do not research on, but rather with Indian languages. You can find out more about the Indology here.

What's it like at CeMIS?

Reviews of the B.A. programme on studycheck.de: 4.7/5 stars.

In this series of short videos, MA student Anna catches up with MA and BA classmates to chat about studying - and life - at CeMIS.

Further Questions and Contacts

Then contact a current student at frag.mich@cemis.uni-goettingen.de

Study program coordinator and student advisor

Dr. Michael Dickhardt: study@cemis.uni-goettingen.de

Applications

Annegret Schallmann: Annegret.Schallmann@sowi.uni-goettingen.de