Asian Studies

Deepening Australia’s engagement with Southeast Asia is a national priority. Through trade, education, business, tourism and family connections, Australia’s relationship with the region is of enormous importance. 

At a global level, Asia is a transformative power. 

This major offers you the opportunity to study the politics, history, societies, economies, media and religions of the Asian region. It's possible to combine an Asian Studies major with a second major (or minor) in Indonesian or Japanese language.  

If you love to travel, you can study with our international partners in Southeast Asia and gain credit for your Murdoch degree. 

Asian Studies enables you to navigate complex issues in Australian and Asian contexts. Working with world-leading scholars of the Asian region, you’ll develop important cross-cultural skills, knowledge and analytical proficiency that are valued by government and other employers. 

3 reasons to study Asian Studies at Murdoch 

1. Study in-country programs in Indonesia, Japan and elsewhere, which are often supported by scholarships. 
2. Learn with world-leading academics in anthropology, sociology, politics, language, history, development and other disciplines. 
3. Gain high-priority professional and cultural skills that can shape your future career. 

What you’ll learn 

• Understand how Asia has shaped the global present and will influence the world’s future. 
• Interpret representations of Asia, and why they matter. 
• Develop research skills to evaluate competing sources of knowledge and analyse complex issues.
• Effectively communicate ideas and persuade others.  
• Design and manage sophisticated projects.  
• Acquire diverse skills to work with people from a range of cultural backgrounds. 

Your career 

An Asian Studies major gives you important knowledge, as well as cross-cultural, analytical and  communication skills, that provide a career advantage and distinctive qualifications sought after by employers.  Our graduates are valued in a wide range of professional sectors, including government, business, trade, education, media, and international development.