This interdisciplinary programme will provide you with in-depth knowledge of the politics, economies and societies of East Asia.
Taught by leading researchers in our world-class facilities, you’ll learn to apply academic analysis to your experience of the region, or to convert past training in another academic discipline to apply it to the Asian context.
A wide range of optional modules will give you the chance to focus on topics such as business practices, the role of China or Japan in international development or the complex politics of the Asia Pacific among others.
Whether you’re entering a professional career and want to gain regional expertise, or you’re a professional seeking to build on your experience of living and working in an Asian context, you’ll gain an insight into a complex and fascinating part of the world.
East Asian Studies at Leeds is a leading centre for research in the region, with over 50 years of history. In addition to the academic strengths that have accrued over this time, we have developed an extensive and active international network of alumni. Leeds is also home to very substantial and world-renowned specialist library collections.
If you’re interested in learning or developing your skills in an East Asian language, you might want to consider our East Asian Cultures and Societies (Language Pathway) MA.
This programme offers a wide range of choice. You’ll select the modules you want to study from a range of options, allowing you to shape the programme according to your own interests and career plans.
You could focus on Japanese business, China’s relationship with the developing world or international politics across the Asia Pacific among many other topics.
A core module will give you an understanding of research methods in the humanities and social sciences, allowing you to develop your skills. This will culminate with your dissertation – an independent research project on a topic of your choice that allows you to demonstrate the knowledge and skills you’ve acquired.
Compulsory modules
Optional modules
We use a range of teaching and learning methods to help you benefit from the expertise of our tutors, including lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops. However, independent study remains an important element of this degree as a chance for you to develop your skills and explore topics that interest you.
You’ll also experience a range of assessment methods, depending on the modules you choose. These may include exams and essays as well as presentations, project work and in-course assessment among others.
This programme will suit you whether you’re just starting your professional career, or you’re a mid-career professional who has lived and worked in an Asian context. You’ll gain subject knowledge as well as transferable skills in topics such as analysis, research, communication, presentations and cultural awareness.
All of these are valuable in a wide range of professions across different sectors and industries, including business, public and third sectors. Graduates from our School have developed exciting careers in the UK and worldwide, as diplomats, educators, and policy-makers, to name just a few.
The programme will also prepare you for PhD study, providing a good stepping stone towards an academic career.
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.
This interdisciplinary programme will provide you with in-depth knowledge of the politics, economies and societies of East Asia as well as allowing you to learn, or develop your knowledge of, an East Asian language.
Taught by leading researchers in our world-class facilities, you’ll apply academic analysis to your experience of the region, or convert past training in another academic discipline to apply it to the Asian context. You’ll also learn Chinese, Japanese or Thai at a level appropriate for you.
A wide range of optional modules will give you the chance to focus on topics such as business practices, the role of China or Japan in international development or the complex politics of the Asia Pacific.
Whether you’re entering a professional career and want to gain regional expertise, want to build on your experience of living and working in an Asian context or you’re preparing for further research, you’ll gain an insight into a complex and fascinating part of the world alongside valuable language skills.
East Asian Studies at Leeds is a leading centre for research in the region, with over 50 years of history. In addition to the academic strengths that have accrued over this time, we have developed an extensive and active international network of alumni. Leeds is also home to very substantial and world-renowned specialist library collections.
If you would like to study East Asian cultures and societies without learning a language, you may be interested in our East Asian Cultures and Societies MA.
A core module will give you an understanding of research methods in the humanities and social sciences, allowing you to develop your skills. This will culminate with your dissertation – an independent research project on a topic of your choice that allows you to demonstrate the knowledge and skills you’ve acquired.
Throughout the year you’ll also undertake intensive language classes in Chinese, Japanese or Thai. We teach all three languages from beginner level, but if you already have some knowledge of a language you can study at a level appropriate for you, right up to advanced classes equipping you to use primary sources and literature in your research.
To complete the programme, you’ll select from a range of optional modules allowing you to focus on topics that interest you, from China’s links with the developing world to political economy around the Pacific Rim.
Compulsory modules
We use a range of teaching and learning methods to help you benefit from the expertise of our tutors, including lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops. Language classes may also include practicals and computer classes to develop your skills. However, independent study remains an important element of this degree as a chance for you to develop your skills and explore topics that interest you.
You’ll also experience a range of assessment methods, depending on the modules you choose. These may include exams and essays as well as presentations, project work and in-course assessment among others. Language modules may also include different forms of assessment such as translation tests.
This programme will suit you whether you’re just starting your professional career, you’re a mid-career professional who has lived and worked in an Asian context, or you’re seeking to develop skills to equip you for further research.
You’ll gain subject knowledge as well as transferable skills in topics such as analysis, research, communication, presentations and cultural awareness. Language skills are also increasingly attractive to international employers.
All of these are valuable in a wide range of professions across different sectors and industries, including business, public and third sectors. Graduates from our School have developed exciting careers in the UK and worldwide, as diplomats, educators, and policy-makers, to name just a few.
The programme will also prepare you for PhD study, providing a good stepping stone towards an academic career.
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.
