Overview

About the program

The South Asian Studies PhD curriculum at the University of Pennsylvania provides a rigorous training in South Asian languages, literature, culture, and history that serves as a foundation for research and teaching in higher education.

The Department emphasizes both linguistic expertise as well as in depth disciplinary knowledge. Students will gain exposure to a wide variety of approaches and methods in the study of South Asia, and will also learn how to deal with a diversity of research materials (including texual, documentary, enthographic and material).

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Modern India
The City in South Asia
India's Literature: Love, War, Wisdom and Humor
Performing Arts of Modern South India
India: Culture and Society
Climate Change and Community in Indonesia
Indian Philosophy
South Asians in the United States
Narrative Across Cultures
Merchants, Saints, Slaves and Sojourners: the Worlds of the Indian Ocean
Islam in Modern World
Buddhism
Muslim Sainthood Practices
Literary History and Aesthetics in South Asia
Sanskrit

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 60 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-08-25 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-01-06 00:00:00

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

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Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Philadelphia, United States

Disciplines

Asian studies View 20 other PhDs in Asian studies in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

The Graduate Group in South Asia Studies requires the following materials as part of the applications:

Academic transcripts of undergraduate courses and grades, and any previous graduate work
TOEFL or IELTS score for non-native speakers of English only, the Test of English as a Foreign Language
Personal statement of your academic goals
Recommendations from at least three professors or others familiar with your academic abilities
Writing Sample 35 pages or less of your original work (this can be a portion of a larger work)

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

44792 USD / year

≈ 44792 USD / year
Out-of-State

44792 USD / year

≈ 44792 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

44792 USD / year

≈ 44792 USD / year

Additional Details

Most of our PhD programs are fully funded, meaning the program will pay for your tuition and fees, as well as provide you with a minimum stipend of $39,425.

Living costs

Philadelphia

United States

1313 - 2284 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for South Asian Studies.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

About the program

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Additional Details

Living costs

Philadelphia

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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