Mumbai – Somaiya Vidyavihar University has announced admissions open for the BA Liberal Arts and MA Liberal Arts programmes offered by the Somaiya School of Civilisation Studies, for the academic year 2025–2026.

These programmes are designed to help students make sense of an increasingly complex and fragmented world. By focusing on the study of civilisation, they offer an interdisciplinary education that brings together cultural, political, and social perspectives. The programmes align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s vision of flexible and multidisciplinary learning.

Students will explore how civilisations develop, evolve, and interact across time and space—drawing on a range of disciplines including history, philosophy, literature, anthropology, political science, and area studies. They will also have opportunities to participate in research and field-based inquiry through specialised centres such as:

• Centre for Asian & Area Studies

• Centre for Himalayan & Mountain Studies

• Centre for Indian Ocean & Transoceanic Studies

• Centre for Kachchh & Desert Studies

The BA Liberal Arts programme allows students to specialise in one of six majors or opt for a major–minor combination, giving them the flexibility to shape their academic path.

Majors Offered:

• Anthropology – Focuses on themes like power, caste, class, and migration, with a critical approach to identity and knowledge systems.

• Literature – Examines Indian and global texts across poetry, prose, and drama, encouraging close reading and contextual understanding.

• History – Engages with historical methods and inter-civilisational linkages, including specialised areas such as maritime history.

• Philosophy – Introduces key philosophical traditions from India, China, Arabia, Africa, and the West, exploring questions around ethics, language, and meaning.

• Asian / Area Studies – Takes a comparative and interdisciplinary look at political and cultural issues across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

• Political Science – Covers Indian and Western political thought, governance systems, law, and political structures.

The MA Liberal Arts is a unique postgraduate programme that invites students to critically reflect on the concept of civilisation itself. The programme prepares them for a range of careers—from academic research and policy-making to cultural institutions, publishing, diplomacy, and more.

“In a world facing cultural fracture and political complexity, we need citizens who can think ethically, question critically, and imagine collectively. A Liberal Arts education grounded in Civilisation Studies is not just relevant—it is essential,” said Dr Ganesh Devy, Director, Somaiya School of Civilisation Studies.

Somaiya Vidyavihar University builds on the vision of the Somaiya Vidyavihar, established in 1942, which has long championed a holistic and values-based approach to education. The university’s Liberal Arts programmes reflect this commitment, offering students an academic experience rooted in inquiry, flexibility, and deep engagement with civilisational thought—fully aligned with the goals of NEP 2020.

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