Asian cultures and histories are broad, spanning Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, and West Asia/the Middle East. Countries across the continent are interconnected, but each has distinct cultural, political, historical, and linguistic features. That is why many universities offer Asian Studies and area-studies programs, often with specializations that allow students to focus on a specific region, language, or theme.
Many international students from Asia and other parts of the world are interested in this field. Since Asian Studies is an interdisciplinary field that draws from the humanities and social sciences, we have come up with a list of countries that offer strong Asian Studies and Asia-focused programs from undergraduate to graduate levels.
Top Countries to Study Asian Studies
1. Japan
It is easy to see why many international students want to study in Japan. The country is known for its culture, technology, major cities, and tourist destinations, and it also has a highly developed higher education sector. International students pursuing Asian Studies in Japan can study the region while experiencing Japanese society, language, and culture firsthand.
Japan is a great country to study Asian Studies and related area-studies fields. Many programs in Japan focus strongly on Japanese culture, East Asia, Southeast Asia, or Asia-Pacific studies. This is especially useful for students who want to combine classroom learning with immersion in the country and its cultural heritage.
Several universities in Japan offer Asian Studies or closely related programs. Kyoto University has Asian Studies and Asian and African Area Studies options, Keio University offers Asian History and East Asian research opportunities, Tokyo Metropolitan University offers Japanese and Asia-focused intercultural studies, and Waseda University has a Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies.
2. Singapore
Singapore may be a small country, but it is a major education hub in Asia. Its universities are highly visible in global rankings, and many programs are taught in English. Studying in Singapore has become a desirable option for international students who want an Asia-focused education in an English-speaking academic environment.
Singapore is also a multicultural society where students can encounter a range of Asian languages, communities, and traditions. This makes the country a strong option for students who want to study Asia from a regional and comparative perspective.
Top universities such as the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University offer Asian Studies options. NUS offers Asian Studies, Southeast Asian Studies, and related PhD programs, while NTU offers a Minor in Global Asia that focuses on Asian Studies and Asia’s role in the world today.
3. Malaysia
Another strong Asian country for Asian Studies is Malaysia. Several top universities and research centers focus on Southeast Asian Studies, East Asian Studies, or broader Asian Studies. Malaysia is also attractive to international students because it combines recognized higher education options with comparatively affordable tuition and living costs.
With relatively affordable study costs, international students can also enjoy living in the country due to its lower cost of living. Accommodation, meals, and transportation can be more manageable than in many other study destinations, depending on the city and lifestyle. This can be helpful for international students who want to study abroad while keeping a careful budget.
Malaysia is surrounded by other Asian countries, giving students opportunities to learn about the region and travel to nearby countries such as Brunei, Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia during breaks, depending on visa and travel requirements.
University of Malaya, National University of Malaysia, and New Era University College are among the relevant institutions for Asian Studies. The University of Malaya has departments in both East Asian Studies and Southeast Asian Studies, the National University of Malaysia has a Centre for Asian Studies, and New Era University College offers Southeast Asian Studies and ASEAN Studies options.
4. New Zealand
New Zealand is not an Asian country, but it offers strong and comprehensive study options in Asian Studies. The New Zealand government has quality assurance systems for education providers, and New Zealand universities offer internationally recognized qualifications. This makes the country a good option for students who want to study Asia from the Pacific region.
New Zealand is also known for a future-focused style of learning that emphasizes inquiry, critical thinking, and practical skills. For Asian Studies students, this can mean combining language, culture, politics, history, media, and society in an interdisciplinary way.
Universities that offer Asian Studies programs include the University of Auckland, Victoria University of Wellington, and the University of Otago. Auckland offers undergraduate and postgraduate Asian Studies options, Victoria University of Wellington offers Asian Studies at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and Otago teaches Asian Studies as an interdisciplinary program with Asian Studies papers and research activity.
5. Taiwan
Taiwan is an excellent country to study Asian Studies and related fields. It offers programs focused on East Asia, Inter-Asia cultural studies, Asia-Pacific regional studies, and China and Asia-Pacific studies. International students may be able to work part-time while studying, but they must obtain a work permit first and follow the permitted working-hour rules. The cost in Taiwan can also be affordable compared with many popular study destinations, depending on the city and lifestyle.
Another reason to study in Taiwan is its health care system. International students usually begin with private health insurance arranged with help from their school and may later enroll in Taiwan’s National Health Insurance program after meeting residence requirements.
There are many universities that offer Asian Studies or closely related programs from undergraduate to postgraduate levels. Institutions such as National Taiwan Normal University, National Tsing Hua University, National Dong Hwa University, and National Sun Yat-sen University offer programs or research units in East Asian Studies, Inter-Asia Cultural Studies, Asia-Pacific Regional Studies, or China and Asia-Pacific Studies.
6. United Arab Emirates
Asia is a massive continent, and the United Arab Emirates is part of West Asia. For students interested in the Middle East, the UAE can be a strong option because many programs focus on Middle Eastern Studies, Middle East/Gulf Studies, international studies, and regional politics and culture. Total immersion in the country can broaden students’ perspectives while they study the region’s history, society, and contemporary issues.
The UAE also has a lot to offer when it comes to tourism. With its strategic location, students can experience sports, water sports, desert activities, museums, and cultural sites while studying in the country.
Relevant institutions include Zayed University, American University of Sharjah, and American University in Dubai. Zayed University offers International Studies with a Middle East/Gulf Studies concentration, American University of Sharjah offers a Minor in Middle Eastern Studies, and American University in Dubai offers International Studies with a Middle Eastern Studies specialization and a Middle Eastern Studies certificate.
7. Thailand
Thailand is known for being a welcoming country and a great destination to study Southeast Asian Studies. Students can learn about the region while living in one of Southeast Asia’s most important cultural and academic hubs. While obtaining a degree, students may also benefit from learning Thai or another regional language, which can become an added credential in their future professional portfolio.
Asian Studies programs available for students in Thailand are often focused on Southeast Asian Studies or ASEAN-related studies. Chulalongkorn University offers a Master of Arts in Southeast Asian Studies, Thammasat University offers Southeast Asian Studies through its Faculty of Liberal Arts, and Khon Kaen University lists a Bachelor of Arts Program in Southeast Asian Studies. Chiang Mai University is also a relevant option for students interested in social sciences, development, and Southeast Asian regional study, although students looking for a specifically named Southeast Asian Studies degree should compare current program details carefully before applying.
Asia and the Pacific are home to a large share of the world’s population, so graduates with regional knowledge and language skills can contribute to work involving cross-cultural communication, regional research, and international cooperation. Students should also consider pairing Asian Studies with language study, internships, research experience, or another major to strengthen their career options.
We hope that this article on Best Countries to Study Asian Studies Abroad was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs for International Students to know more!
