Best Colleges and Universities in the World for East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

As the globalization continues to increase, the demand for professionals who specialize in East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics has also risen sharply – this area of study is increasingly becoming popular among students and has garnered attention from top-ranked universities all over the world.

Whether you want to specialize in Chinese, Japanese, or Korean, universities that offer East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics programs differ in their specializations and course offerings, faculty expertise, and research initiatives. To help you make an informed choice, we have compiled a list of some of the best colleges and universities in the world for East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics.

1. Harvard University

The Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations at Harvard University offers a variety of degree programs, including a Bachelor of Arts in East Asian Studies and various graduate degrees. Faculty members have expertise in literature, linguistics, history, and cultural studies, with a focus on China, Japan, and Korea.

2. Stanford University

Stanford University has a top-ranked East Asian Studies program that offers undergraduate majors and minors, as well as doctoral programs. Faculty members specialize in various fields, including language acquisition, comparative literature, and cultural studies.

3. Yale University

Yale University’s Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures offers undergraduate and graduate programs, with courses in language, literature, and culture. The university has invested in resources for Japanese and Korean studies, and faculty members specialize in various fields, including film studies, gender and sexuality, and modern Japanese literature.

4. University of Cambridge

The Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Cambridge offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs in East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. The university has faculty members specializing in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean studies, and has a highly-regarded language and literature program.

5. University of California, Berkeley

University of California, Berkeley is a highly-regarded institution for East Asian Languages and Literatures, with programs in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean languages and literature. Faculty members have expertise in various areas, and the university offers opportunities for study abroad and research.

6. National Singapore University

NUS is a highly-regarded research institution that provides various MA and PhD programs in Asian Studies along with Chinese, Japanese, and Korean language courses. The university has a strong emphasis on developing critical thinking and a research-oriented mind-set – students get the chance of conducting research both locally and internationally.

7. Seoul National University

SNU is a Korea’s leading university with a highly-regarded program in East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. The university offers various undergraduate and graduate courses related to Chinese, Japanese, and Korean studies. Faculty members at SNU specialize in comparative literature, language teaching, translation, cultural studies, and more.

8. Tsinghua University

Tsinghua is China’s leading university with a highly-regard language and literature department that offers various undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. The department provides students with a unique, cross-disciplinary approach in teaching language, literature, culture, and history.

Choosing the right university for your studies in East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics requires considering various aspects, including coursework, research opportunities, faculty expertise, and international connections. The above-mentioned universities are regarded as some of the top-ranked institutions for this discipline – they offer students with all the resources needed to develop a deep understanding of East Asian culture and languages, providing them with both linguistic expertise and cultural knowledge.