Southeast Asia is an expanding field of study, and demand for the study of the region has increased globally. With the rise of globalization, the importance of understanding Southeast Asia’s culture, society, economy, and politics is more critical than ever before.

If you’re looking to study Southeast Asian studies, there are many options available to you. In this article, we’ll highlight some of the top colleges and universities worldwide that offer excellent programs in Southeast Asian studies.

1. National University of Singapore

The National University of Singapore (NUS) is one of the world’s most well-regarded universities, ranked 11th internationally. NUS offers a comprehensive Southeast Asian studies program through its Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. The Department of Southeast Asian Studies operates as one of NUS’s main campus resources and provides coursework in diverse languages specifically to highlight Southeast Asian Studies.

2. University of Tokyo

The University of Tokyo has a growing reputation for the study of Southeast Asian studies, and in particular, Japan’s role in the region. To this day, it is considered Japan’s best institution for Southeast Asian studies, and it provides an exceptional educational experience. The students studying at the University of Tokyo gain valuable insights into Southeast Asia’s culture and the leading countries. Therefore, you will have various opportunities for research and exploration in this area.

3. University of Hawaii at Manoa

The University of Hawaii at Manoa is located in Honolulu and hosts one of the most respected Pacific and Asian cultural study programs worldwide. The Center for Southeast Asian Studies is an interdisciplinary program that emphasizes anthropology, history, and other law and social sciences. Locating in one of the places close to Southeast Asia provides university students with an extraordinary chance for cultural immersion, languages learning, and extended field research opportunities.

4. School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) at the University of London

The SOAS features one of the leading academic fields of study dedicated to Asia and Africa conservatively. Today, SOAS is the world’s premier institution for Southeast Asian Studies, with a leading emphasis on the humanities and social sciences. SOAS’s renowned faculty consists of distinguished diplomats, scholars and researchers on Southeast Asia with an emphasis on languages.

5. Cornell University

Cornell University is an Ivy League school located in Ithaca, New York, and features an exceptional Southeast Asian studies program. Cornell Southeast Asian Studies serves as a constant place for the study of Southeast Asian Languages, Culture, and Politics, and features The Southeast Asia Program, which is the leading institution for research and education of Southeast Asian affairs in the USA.

6. Australian National University

The Australian National University is an outstanding location for Southeast Asian studies, given its location close to the Southeast Asian region. ANU Department of Southeast Asia Studies & Pacific is known for a rigorous examination of political science, social sciences, and cultural studies related to Southeast Asia.

These are a few of the world’s best educational institutions to study for Southeast Asian studies. Studying in one of these institutions will allow you to gain insight and knowledge base about Southeast Asia that other institutions cannot offer. Choosing the best college or university in Southeast Asian studies is the best way to pursue your intellectual curiosity or achieve your career goals in the field.