MASTER'S DEGREE PROGRAMME IN MODERN INDIAN STUDIES

PROGRAMME

• How does India's cultural and religious diversity effect societal developments?
• How does the democratic system address issues of social inequality?
• How can the dynamics of economic development in a pluralistic society be understood?

Looking for answers to profound questions such as these requires an interdisciplinary approach. That's why faculty and researchers at the Centre for Modern Indian Studies (CeMIS) come from a wide range of academic backgrounds including development economics, anthropology, history, Indology, political science, religious studies and sociology.

CeMIS is a vibrant and stimulating centre, with a rich international academic environment.


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


• Metamorphoses of the Political
• Religion
• Inequality and Diversity
• Labour and Capital in Modern India
• Media and Public Spheres
• Development Economics of India

To find out more download Flyer - MA programme

For a list of previously offered courses click here



SUBJECT FOCUS

The master's programme is designed to offer students a great deal of flexibility, allowing them to develop and pursue their own interests within these six categories. As such, students are able to develop their own thematic focus and specific profile. Aside from the two-semester introductory course, Interdisciplinary Studies of Modern India (18 ECTS), students are free to elect which courses they take, and in discussion with their supervisor, the theoretical and analytical focus of their thesis. Students also learn a modern Indian language.

Students wishing to develop a stronger focus have the additional option of completing an M.A. in Modern Indian Studies with a study focus on either “Development Economics of India”, “Anthropology of Power” or “Historical Sociology”. The study focus will be printed on the M.A. certificate.

Find more info on the study foci here:


• Development Economics of India
• Anthropology of Power
• Historical Sociology



STRUCTURE OF THE MASTER'S PROGRAMME

The M.A. 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. To obtain a master degree, students must complete 120 credits (78 in the core subject, 12 in the Professionalization courses, and 30 for the MA thesis). Further information can be found in the right-hand column under Programme Structure.



SEMESTER ABROAD (OPTIONAL)

Students have the option of studying one semester at one of our partner universities in India or at another university of their own choice. Our partner universities are:



• University of Agricultural Sciences Bangalore
• Ambedkar University
• Ashoka University
• Azim Premji University
• CSSSC
• Delhi University
• Hyderabad University
• IIM Bangalore
• IIT Gandhinagar
• Jadavpur University
• Jawaharlal Nehru University
• O.P. Jindal Global University
• Pondicherry University
• IIM Kolkata

CeMIS works together closely with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and other funding institutions in order to assist students in securing financial support for a semester abroad.



JOB PERSPECTIVES

Those who have successfully completed a M.A. in Modern Indian Studies are qualified to work 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. They may also choose to pursue an academic career in research and teaching. The Masters Programme serves as a qualification to enter a doctoral programme.



ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must have a bachelor‘s or equivalent degree which fulfills the criterion mentioned below. For studies not yet completed at the time of application, a minimum of 150 credits (ECTS points) is required. For further information, please refer to the Application for the Master`s Degree Programme Website.

Formal requirements are as follows:

• Sufficient credits (at least 50 ECTS) in a related field: 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.

For a brief explanation of the ECTS system, click here.



LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Proof of proficiency in English is required. 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 (see Language prerequisites for admission to Modern Indian Studies), unless they can claim an exemption. Courses in a modern Indian language are a compulsory part of the degree program, except for native speakers of a modern Indian language (application for exemption necessary). German language skills are not required for this study programme. However, international students interested in learning or improving their German can attend courses provided by the university. Credits from these courses can go towards the Master within the professionalisation part of the study programme.