PGDip in Asian Studies

The Graduate Diploma in Asian Studies (GDAS) is offered by the York Centre for Asian Research and awarded concurrently with a Master's or Doctoral degree at York University. It is designed for graduate students whose research focuses on Asia or Asian diasporic communities, including questions of identity and transnationalism among immigrant communities in Canada. Candidates must first be admitted to a graduate program at York and register for the diploma once their Master's or Doctoral program of study has been clearly defined, normally before coursework is completed. Diploma requirements include a core seminar, two research papers with Asian-content focus, demonstrated competency in an Asian language, and fieldwork or equivalent experience in the geographic region of Asia or its diaspora. The credential provides certifiable expertise in Asian Studies alongside a student's primary graduate degree and is intended to support career opportunities connected to Asian development and cross-regional research.