Collaborative Master's and Doctoral Specialization in South Asian Studies

Master's level

• A mandatory half-year core course, SAS2004H, Critical Issues in South Asian Studies: A Region and the Disciplines. With the permission of the home graduate unit, the core course can be taken in lieu of one of the courses required by the home unit.
• Attendance at a minimum of 2 lectures per term from the Centre for South Asian Studies lecture series during the academic year in which the student takes the core course (September to May). You must register online for the lectures to confirm attendance.
• If writing a thesis, it is expected to include a significant South Asian component.

Doctoral level

• A mandatory half-year core course, SAS2004H, Critical Issues in South Asian Studies: A Region and the Disciplines (unless already taken in the master’s program). With the permission of the home graduate unit, the core course can be taken in lieu of one of the courses required by the home unit.
• Active participation at a minimum of 2 lectures per term from the Centre for South Asian Studies lecture series for a total of two years, including the academic year in which the student takes the core course.
• The dissertation must include a significant South Asian component, with appropriate language skills as necessary.
• A research presentation in the Asian Institute PhD Seminar Series on a South Asian topic in year 3, 4, or 5 of the program. Students must contact the Program Administrator at ai.asianstudies@utoronto.ca in September to schedule the presentation for that academic year. The student’s dissertation committee should be in attendance at the talk.

To be considered for admission into the Collaborative Master’s or Doctoral Specialization in South Asian Studies, apply for a University of Toronto Master's or Doctoral program through the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) Online Application. Since this is a collaborative specialization, applicants need to apply to a home department first (see the list of participating departments below - under certain circumstances, students from other departments may also be admitted). In the Collaborative Specializations section of the application, please indicate that you are also applying to the Specialization in South Asian Studies to ensure we will receive a copy of your application. Your statement of interest should indicate that your research will include a significant South Asia focus. If you are accepted into the home department, we will review your application for admission into our program.

Start your application >

If you have already been admitted to a home department and/or have already begun your degree, and would like to be considered for our specialization, please contact ai.asianstudies@utoronto.ca to express your interest.

Participating home departments:

Please consult individual websites for program requirements, application procedures, and deadlines.

• Anthropology
• Comparative Literature
• Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies
• East Asian Studies
• English
• Geography
• History
• Music
• Political Science
• Religion
• Social Justice Education (OISE)
• Women and Gender Studies

The Centre for South Asian Studies administers a number of awards to support graduate student research on South Asia.

The application deadline for 2025 will be Monday, April 10. Students may apply for more than one award, as long as their research fits the general description of any given award. Results are announced and funds are disbursed in May.

Please fill out the Application Form here and upload the supplementary materials listed below:

• Proposal for the deployment of funds, based on your academic research and project (500 words)
• Curriculum vitae (including contact information and the names and contact information for 2 academic referees)
• Academic transcript (printout or pdf from ACORN is fine)
• A 5–10 page writing sample
• If the award you are applying for is an OSOTF award, then you must also complete the SGS Financial Needs Assessment Form. This is only necessary for awards with an asterisk (*) below.

If you have any questions about the awards or the application form, please contact Rebecca Bi at ai.asianstudies@utoronto.ca.

India-Canada Association Scholarship

Value: Approximately $1,000 – $3,000
Description and eligibility: Awarded to one or more graduate students at the University of Toronto engaged in research in the field of South Asian Studies. This award is made on the basis of academic merit. Preference will be given to candidates whose research activities require travel to India.

Sandhya and Riten Ray Award for Indian Philosophy and Religion

Value: Approximately $500 – $1,000
Description and eligibility: Awarded to one or more graduate students at the University of Toronto who have demonstrated excellence in study or research in religion and/or philosophy of India, preferably with special emphasis on humanism and spiritualism in ancient Indian philosophy. Excellence may be demonstrated by grades in courses, academic essays, or research (in progress or completed).

Diljit and Gulshan Juneja Award for South Asian Studies*

Value: Approximately $500 – $1,000

Description and eligibility: Awarded to one or more master’s or doctoral students in any department or faculty in the University whose course program or research is concentrated in the area of South Asian Studies. This is an OSOTF award and is made on the basis of qualifying Ontario residency, financial need, and academic merit.

India's 50th Anniversary Graduate Prize* 

Value:  Approximately $1,200 – $2,500
Description and eligibility: Awarded to one or more students. Recipients must be enrolled at the graduate level in social sciences or humanities, and their study or research must be focused on India. This is an OSOTF award and is made on the basis of qualifying Ontario residency, financial need, and academic merit.

Indo-Canadian Advisory Group Bursary for the Study of India*

Value: Approximately $2,000
Description and eligibility: Recipient must be enrolled in the Collaborative Master’s or Doctoral Specialization in South Asian Studies. Preference will be given to students whose course of study or research is focused on India. This is an OSOTF award and is made on the basis of qualifying Ontario residency, financial need, and academic merit.

Shirley Uldall Memorial Book Prize*

Value: Approximately $250
Description and eligibility: Awarded to one or more graduate students in the Collaborative Master’s or Doctoral Specialization in South Asian Studies who has completed or is currently taking SAS2004H. This is an OSOTF award and is made on the basis of qualifying Ontario residency, financial need, and academic merit.