BA East Asian Studies

BA East Asian Studies will provide you with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the East Asian region, with a focus on China and Japan, and the region's cultures, histories, societies, economics and politics.

You will gain a critical appreciation of the complex contemporary realities in East Asian countries, as well as the changing position of these countries in an ever-changing international context.

This course aims to provide you with the knowledge and critical tools needed to understand East Asia in the 20th and 21st centuries, as well as an appreciation of the major historical events and social movements that have made East Asian countries what they are today.

East Asia is studied both as an economically connected region with overlapping histories, languages and cultural identities and as a diverse group of countries and peoples with divergent political systems and contemporary cultures.

By the end of your degree, you will possess the socio-cultural understanding and analytical skills needed to embark upon more long-term professional or academic engagements with the East Asian region and will have acquired a more international perspective on the world as it stands today and as it has developed over the course of history.

You will have the option of learning some Chinese, Japanese or Korean language as part of your studies, although East Asian Studies is not a language-intensive degree programme.

You can tailor your degree according to your interests and professional ambitions, and from the second year onwards can choose from a wide range of courses on topics including:

• contemporary art;
• literature;
• religion;
• media;
• popular culture;
• business;
• anthropology;
• history;
• economics;
• politics.

We aim to provide you with:

• the knowledge and critical tools to understand East Asia in the 20th and 21st centuries;
• appreciation of the major historical events and social movements that have made East Asian countries what they are today;
• an understanding of East Asia as both an economically connected region with overlapping histories, languages and cultural identities, and a diverse group of countries and peoples with divergent political systems and contemporary cultures;
• the socio-cultural understanding and analytical skills needed to embark upon more long-term professional or academic engagements with the East Asian region;
• a more international perspective on the world as it stands today and as it has developed over the course of history.

Placement year option

Apply your subject-specific knowledge in a real-world context through a placement year in Year 3, enabling you to enhance your employment prospects, clarify your career goals and build external networks.

Study abroad

You may be able to study one semester abroad in a country in East Asia. It will strengthen your languages skills and employability in many ways and provide a valuable and inspirational life experience.

Equipping you with transferable skills to aid your future career, including:

• a diverse and knowledgeable worldview;
• cross-cultural sensitivity and adaptability;
• the ability to rise to new challenges using initiative;
• enhanced self-confidence and leadership skills;
• demonstration of effective cross-cultural communication and interpersonal skills.

Societies

The University is home to more than 30 international and language-related student societies offering a breadth of cultural activities and experiences.

Learn more about colloquialisms in language through native speakers and take part in discussion groups and socials.

Some of our societies also coordinate trips abroad to language-specific destinations.

Join the Japan Society North West or Manchester University Chinese Students Society and enjoy exciting cultural events, including Japan Day and Chinese New Year celebrations.

Manchester China Institute

Benefit from the expertise which promotes research, teaching, and learning about China across the University, with a focus on the Humanities.

The Institute's vision is to foster a better understanding of China's expanding role in a rapidly globalising world.

You will be taught through a mixture of formal lectures, seminars and tutorials.

You will spend approximately 12 hours each week in formal study sessions, and for every hour spent at the University you will be expected to complete a further 2-3 hours of independent study.You will also need to study during the holiday periods.

Your individual study component could be spent:

• reading;
• producing written work;
• revising for examinations;
• working in the University's Language Centre .

We will provide individual learning support to help you take control of your learning and develop your confidence.

Our peer support scheme is one of the largest in Europe. Peer mentors are higher-year students on the same degree programme as you, who will help you find your feet when you arrive here and adjust to student life.

As they will have already been a student at Manchester for at least a year, they should be able to help you with anything you might be worried or unsure about.

Study with us and you will also be assigned an academic adviser who is there to give advice about any academic issues throughout the duration of your course.

Your adviser will be able to help you with the transition from school/college to university - and can help you get to grips with studying and learning more independently.

They will also be able to help you develop your skills in academic writing or research, or any other skills that are specific to your degree programme.

You will be assessed in various ways, including:

• written and oral examinations;
• presentations;
• coursework (which may include library research, linguistic fieldwork and data collection, or web-based research);
• in your final year, a dissertation based on a research topic of your choice.

Assessment methods vary from course unit to course unit - see individual course unit listings for more information.

The University Language Centre is home to language resources, including a new interpreting suite, purpose-built recording rooms and resources for over 70 languages.

The Centre also offers multilingual word processing, language learning software, off-air recording and AV duplication, multilingual terrestrial and satellite TV, and extensive support and advice for learners.

Learn more on the Facilities page.