UBC Department of Asian Studies

The Department of Asian Studies at UBC is one of the leading Asian Studies programs in Canada, offering both Asian language and culture courses.

Not only is UBC ranked within the top 20 public universities in the world, we offer the leading Asian Studies program in Canada and are among the best in the world. Located in “North America’s Gateway to Asia” (Vancouver), UBC Asian Studies is the premier unit at UBC tasked with teaching and research on Asia at the BA, MA and PhD levels. We currently give instruction in Cantonese, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Hindi-Urdu, Persian, Punjabi, Sanskrit, and Tibetan. Since our inception in 1961, the Department of Asian Studies at the University of British Columbia has become one of the leading Asian Studies programs in Canada. Currently, we offer intensive programs to all students pursuing an Undergraduate, Masters and/or PhD.
We offer over 80 courses each year including our comprehensive language programs that cater to all levels, perfect for heritage and non-heritage learners. We give instruction in nine Asian Languages: Cantonese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Hindi-Urdu, Persian, Punjabi, Sanskrit and Tibetan and have a number of additional as well.
Our are well versed in many Asian Studies areas including Asian thought, religion, history, literature, culture and much more. Their commitment to research has been recognized internationally and constantly dedicate themselves to our students. You can find out the list of most recent faculty publications, including publisher/purchase details, Located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people, we are a community of faculty members, practitioners, students, research and support staff, all working together to advance the study and understanding of Asian Studies.