Leiden University · Faculty of Humanities

Thesis & Research Supervision

MAAS — Asian Studies

MA

The MA thesis in Asian Studies is an independent research project that demonstrates advanced knowledge of your field. Compared with a BA thesis, it asks for deeper engagement with theory and a stronger original contribution.

This page is adapted from the MA Asian Studies thesis protocol. Confirm details with your supervisor, and check the MA Thesis prospectus entry and the protocol on Brightspace for the current rules.

Download: MAAS Thesis Protocol (PDF)

Your next step: Confirm the rules below, then draft a one-page working plan that names your research question, likely sources, method, timeline, and questions for supervision. Start with the Getting Started Guide and Templates & Checklists. Use the Methods Guide and Ethics if your project involves data, participants, sensitive material, or computational methods.

Key Requirements

Requirement Details
Word count Up to 15,000 words, excluding footnotes and bibliography
Citation style A consistent, recognized citation style appropriate to the discipline (for example, Journal of Asian Studies for social science or American Historical Review for history)
Language English
Asian-language sources Encouraged, and required for some specializations (see below)
Final deadline June 15, 2027 (fall entry)

Timeline and Deadlines

This site will be updated as new AY2026-2027 deadlines are published. Dates not yet announced are marked TBD.

Your supervisor is assigned on the basis of the thesis distribution form you submit early in the program.

Milestone Fall entry Spring entry
Thesis distribution form due September 24 Mid-February
Thesis methodology sessions During Introduction to Asian Studies First 3 weeks of the semester
First meeting with supervisor November March
Thesis proposal draft due January 5 June 1
Supervisor feedback on proposal By January 20 By June 20
Final thesis proposal due January 31 July 1
First thesis submission May 1, 2027 November 1, 2026
Supervisor feedback on draft Within 10 working days Within 10 working days
Final thesis deadline June 15, 2027 December 15, 2026

The proposal-stage dates come from the 2025–26 protocol. Check the current protocol on Brightspace for this year’s dates.

Important: By the first submission deadline (May 1 or November 1), hand in your thesis or part of it. You then have the right to feedback on your work within 10 working days. If you miss the first deadline, you lose the right to further feedback and will not be able to submit your thesis by the final deadline.

Thesis Proposal

The proposal is a pass/fail component of the Introduction to Asian Studies course. It is about 1,500 words (including bibliography) and should outline your research question, the relevant literature, and your method. Email a draft to your supervisor by the draft deadline, then submit a final version, revised in light of your supervisor’s written feedback, by the final deadline. If your proposal does not pass, you can resubmit a revised proposal from April 1 (if you submitted the original in January).

Writing and Submission

Once your proposal is approved, you write draft chapters in consultation with your supervisor and meet at least twice during the writing phase. Ask your supervisor about their layout preferences (font, spacing, footnotes or endnotes).

Submission procedure. Email the final thesis to your supervisor, your second reader, and MAthesis@hum.leidenuniv.nl by the final deadline.

Extensions. Supervisors cannot grant extensions. If you face extenuating circumstances, submit your request to the Board of Examiners.

Assessment Criteria

Your supervisor (first reader) and a second reader assess the thesis independently and then agree on a joint grade. They grade the five Faculty criteria of knowledge and insight, application of knowledge, reaching conclusions, communication, and learning skills (the research process, which only your supervisor grades). Assessment Standards explains each criterion and gives the grade descriptors.

A thesis must be graded within four weeks of submission, or within six weeks between July 1 and August 31 (MA Course and Examination Regulations, Appendix A, Art. 6.3).

Specialization Requirements

Every specialization expects broad knowledge of its region or field, including its history, development, and current trends. On top of the general criteria above, your specialization sets these requirements:

  • East Asian Studies (MA60): the ability to locate, assess, and use original sources in modern or classical Chinese, Japanese, or Korean.
  • South Asian Studies (MA60): if you took intermediate or advanced language electives, the ability to use original sources in Hindi, Sanskrit, or Classical Tibetan.
  • Southeast Asian Studies (MA60): if you took intermediate or advanced language electives, the ability to use original sources in Malay/Indonesian.
  • Global Asian Studies (MA60): this specialization replaces History, Arts and Culture and Politics, Society, and Economy from September 2026. Its thesis requirements are TBD. Check the 2026-27 protocol on Brightspace.
  • History, Arts and Culture (MA60) and Politics, Society, and Economy (MA60), for students who entered before September 2026: knowledge of one or more Asian regions and familiarity with the relevant disciplinary theories and methods.
  • Chinese, Japanese, or Korean Studies (MA120): all of the above for your region, plus a command of the language good enough for academic and professional use, and the ability to design, conduct, and complete original research independently.

Resubmission

If you do not pass, or do not submit by the final deadline, you can resubmit under the guidance of the same supervisor.

Original deadline Resit
June 15, 2027 August 15, 2027, or the fall round (draft November 1, final December 15, 2027)
December 15, 2026 June 15, 2027