Master in Languages of Asia and North Africa for Business and International Cooperation at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
Two-year master at Ca' Foscari in Venice whose English-taught Southeast Asia curriculum builds advanced Thai for the social sciences with the economics, law, history and politics of the region, for careers in business, cooperation and research.
Master
2 years
Venice
Multiple
Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
Languages of Asia and North Africa for Business and International Cooperation is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-38-R) at Ca' Foscari University of Venice. Its Southeast Asia curriculum, built around Thai, is taught in English. Non-EU students pay a flat fee by citizenship; eligible regional scholarship applicants are exempt.
Entry requirements
- A bachelor's degree of at least three years.
- At least 42 ECTS in the required fields: at least 36 in Thai language and literature (the Thailand area of Chinese and South Asian languages and literatures) and at least 6 in a related field such as geography, law, linguistics, art history, economics or political science.
- English at B2 level, shown with a recognised certificate; it is mandatory for enrolment.
- A motivation letter written for this curriculum, assessed by the Teaching Committee with your CV and transcript; the committee may add an interview.
- At enrolment, your degree certificate and transcript with an official translation, plus a CIMEA Statement of Comparability, a declaration of value, an ARDI statement with CIMEA verification, or a Diploma Supplement.
About the programme
Languages of Asia and North Africa for Business and International Cooperation is a two-year master's degree in class LM-38-R (Modern languages for communication and international cooperation) at Ca' Foscari University of Venice. It carries 120 ECTS, admission is open subject to an assessment of each applicant, and attendance is not compulsory. The degree is Italian and English, with four curricula built around a language of study: Arabic countries, China, Japan and Southeast Asia.
The Southeast Asia curriculum, whose language of study is Thai, is the one Ca' Foscari lists among its English-taught degrees. It takes students who already have a solid base in Thai to an advanced level, together with an in-depth knowledge of the economic, legal, historical and political aspects of the region. It suits graduates in Asian languages who want to work between Europe and Southeast Asia.
What you will study
Advanced language work runs alongside social science units, research methods, digital tools and intercultural communication. International students without proven Italian take Italian for Foreigners in place of Environmental Writing. First-year units in the 2026/27 timetable include:
- Advanced Thai Language for Social Sciences 1, with language practice modules
- Anthropology of Southeast Asia
- Essentials of Economics
- Transnational Studies for East Asia: Tools, Methods, Research Objects
- Research Methods and Design for Asian Studies
- Instructional Design for Language Education
- Environmental Writing, or Italian for Foreigners
How the programme is taught
The degree combines coursework with a curricular internship, in Italy or abroad, and a final thesis. You can ask to spend one or two semesters at a partner university through exchange programmes, drawing on Ca' Foscari's more than 1,500 agreements under Erasmus+ and the Overseas programme, and the Career Service helps arrange internships.
Career paths
The university points graduates towards business and consultancy for companies working internationally, and towards international and intercultural relations in public and private institutions, chambers of commerce and intergovernmental organisations. Roles it lists for this curriculum include:
- Interpreter, translator or technical editor
- Linguist or philologist
- Researcher and educator
- Journalist
- Economic systems, market regulation or economic planning specialist
- Economic and financial consultant
Fees and scholarships
Non-EU master's students pay a flat yearly fee set by citizenship. For 2026/27 it is €1,300 for most countries, including countries like India, €700 for countries on the ministry's low human development list and €2,300 for OECD countries, regional tax and stamp duty included. If you apply for the Veneto regional scholarship with an ISEE parificato and meet its limits, you are exempt from fees: zero euro tuition for eligible students.
How to apply from outside the EU
Before applying, check that your bachelor's includes at least 36 ECTS of Thai language and literature: this curriculum does not start Thai from scratch. On apply.unive.it, choose the Southeast Asia curriculum and upload your transcript, CV, English certificate and a motivation letter. There is no entrance test. The €30 fee covers two ranked programmes. For 2026/27 applications opened on 17 December 2025; the 2027/28 rounds are not yet published.
An eligibility letter leads to Universitaly pre-enrolment and a type D study visa. At enrolment you need a CIMEA Statement of Comparability, a declaration of value, an ARDI statement with CIMEA verification, or a Diploma Supplement.
How ApplyAZ helps
If this programme fits your goals, ApplyAZ can include it in a shortlist of 20 to 30 English-taught programmes at Italian public universities. We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose, submit your applications and Universitaly pre-enrolment, file your DSU scholarship application and prepare your visa file, with a named person on each stage. The university decides admission, the region decides the scholarship and the consulate decides the visa. See how ApplyAZ works or check your eligibility.
Questions and answers
Is the Master in Languages of Asia and North Africa taught in English?
Only its Southeast Asia curriculum is on the university's English-taught list, with Thai as the language of study. The Arabic countries, China and Japan curricula are not on that list. You need certified English at B2 level to enrol.
Do I need to know Thai already?
Yes. You need at least 36 ECTS in Thai language and literature from your previous studies, plus 6 ECTS in a related field such as geography, law, linguistics, economics or political science.
What will I study?
Advanced Thai for the social sciences with language practice, anthropology of Southeast Asia, economics, transnational studies for East Asia and research methods for Asian studies, followed by an internship and a thesis.
Is there an entrance test?
No. Admission is open, and the Teaching Committee reviews your transcript, CV and motivation letter. It may call you for an interview if it needs to check your preparation.
How much are the fees?
For 2026/27 non-EU master's students pay a flat €1,300 a year for most countries, €700 for low human development countries or €2,300 for OECD countries. Students eligible for the Veneto regional scholarship are exempt from fees.
What careers does it lead to?
Graduates work in business and consultancy for international companies, or in international relations at public and private institutions, chambers of commerce and intergovernmental organisations, as interpreters, translators, researchers, journalists or economic specialists.
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