Asian Literature, Religion and Culture (PhD) at Cornell University

Programme overview

The field of Asian literature, religion, and culture offers students interested in pursuing advanced studies of the literature, culture, religion(s), and intellectual history of any given region in East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Students are required to take, for credit, 12 to 14 courses (six or seven during the first year) and complete an M.A. thesis by the end of the second year.

What you will study

Concentrations: Asian religions, East Asian literature and culture, South Asian literature and culture, Southeast Asian literature and culture, Theory and method (minor).

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants are required to hold, at minimum, an undergraduate degree from an accredited university or college. Applicants are generally expected to have significant language preparation before application (at least three years’ competency for those interested in an East Asian literature). Prior work in literature, culture, religious studies or the intellectual history of an Asian area is desirable.; All Graduate School requirements , including the English language proficiency requirement; three recommendations; three years of study in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, or Vietnamese language; academic writing sample (approximately 25 pages) Application deadline: Fall, January 18

USD 20,800 a year (2026-27). Doctoral tuition per year ($10,400 per semester); the source states $20,800 applies to Ph.D., D.M.A. and J.S.D. programs in endowed and contract colleges; tuition only. Source

Graduate School applications are submitted online through the Graduate School application; the application fee is $105. Each graduate field sets its own deadlines, and many fall between early December and mid-January.

Apply through the official page: https://gradschool.cornell.edu/admissions/application-steps/apply-now/

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