Asian and Middle Eastern Studies by Research (South Asian Studies)

The MPhil in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies by Research (South Asian Studies) is a one-year research-only programme designed for highly motivated students who wish to pursue an extended research project on some aspect of South Asian Studies through sources in Sanskrit. The MPhil offers an in-depth introduction to South Asia's seminal textual sources, significant language skills to interpret and analyse such sources, an understanding of the relevant historiographical and theoretical issues, and methodology training.

Graduates will be able to work independently to design research projects and will have an in-depth knowledge of the Sanskrit primary sources and secondary literature in their chosen specialism in South Asian Studies.

They will be very well placed to study for a PhD, and will also be in a position to use their skills and knowledge in other professions and activities where advanced research skills and independent critical thinking, analysis and communication skills are needed.

The programme is appropriate for students who have already had some previous training in Sanskrit.

Learning Outcomes

The South Asian Studies research pathway develops its graduates' ability to develop a research project, to research independently using Sanskrit sources and the related secondary literature, and to communicate those findings effectively.

Graduates also develop their ability to read, interpret and translate primary sources in Sanskrit, acquire a good knowledge of current scholarship on South Asian Studies, and acquire an in-depth knowledge of the secondary literature relevant to the subject of their thesis.

Continuing

Applicants for the PhD should submit, via the Applicant Portal, a research proposal on an interesting and workable topic and demonstrate that they have the required academic knowledge and skills to carry out their project.

The standard condition for continuation to a PhD for those students who have taken a FAMES MPhil degree by Research only is a 'Pass without correction'. 

Admission is at the discretion of the Degree Committee, which judges each graduate applicant on his or her own merits and in accordance with its own set of rules and regulations. 

Open Days

The Postgraduate Virtual Open Day usually takes place at the beginning of November. It's a great opportunity to ask questions to admissions staff and academics, explore the Colleges virtually, and to find out more about courses, the application process and funding opportunities. Visit the Postgraduate Open Day page for more details.

See further the Postgraduate Admissions Events pages for other events relating to Postgraduate study, including study fairs, visits and international events.

Apply using the Applicant Portal 

Please make sure you read the terms and conditions of using the University of Cambridge Applicant Portal before proceeding with our application.

When you have completed the necessary preparation, and you are ready to begin your online application, you should take note of the following important information:

1. Go to the Course Directory and find the course you wish to apply for, then click the Apply Now button in the How to Apply tab.
2. All applications must be completed in English.
3. You can request your references in the Applicant Portal, and see when these have been received.
4. You must then submit all required supporting documentation at the same time as the rest of your application.
5. You can also apply for funding via the Applicant Portal.
6. There is an application charge of (GBP sterling) £75 per application (unless you are from a country which is eligible for fee waiver). The Postgraduate School of Life Sciences has a scheme which enables three applications to be made with payment of a single £75 application fee. A list of other eligible courses and further information can be found here. You can make the payment by providing your card details to our secure server when you submit your online application. More information about the application fee can be found on the Application Fee page.
7. You will need to submit a separate application, with separate supporting documents, for each course you wish to apply for. Unless the courses you are applying for is a part of the Postgraduate School of Life Sciences scheme, you will be charged the application fee for each application you make.
8. Your application will not be considered until all the supporting documentation, including references, has been provided.

Upload Supporting Documentation

Your application is not complete without the required supporting documentation which must be submitted through the Applicant Portal as part of your application. If the supporting documents, including references, are not provided your application will not be considered and your application will be withdrawn when the course deadline has passed.

Please check your course's entry to see what supporting documents you will be required to submit. For more information on what the specific requirements of each document are, and how to submit them, please see the section on Supporting Documentation.