MA in East Asian Studies
Groningen, Netherlands
DURATION
1 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
15 Oct 2025*
EARLIEST START DATE
01 Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 18,700 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Dutch, EU/EEA students I non-EU/EEA students
** for Non-EU|for EU/EEA EUR 2,530
Key Summary
Introduction
East Asia is booming. Or is it? How have some East Asian countries achieved such economic growth and global prominence in so little time? What are the global implications of the rise of East Asia?
East Asia is the foremost dynamic region in the world. This Master's track is organized around the achievements, opportunities, and challenges facing East Asia. Taught by international staff affiliated with the Centre for East Asian Studies Groningen this International Relations Master's program focuses on the political economy and international relations of China, Japan, and Korea.
The track takes a multidisciplinary approach. Lectures and seminars are taught by experts in international relations, history, economy, or the law. You will gain knowledge on the top-three economies in East Asia and develop oral, writing, and research skills to analyze developments from a local and global perspective. Work placement and study abroad are optional.
Why study this program in Groningen?
- A unique International Relations Master's track on the politics and economy of contemporary East Asia
- A multi-disciplinary approach towards developments in contemporary China, Japan, and Korea
- Options to study or gain hands-on experience in East Asia
- Further opportunities to focus on Hong Kong, Taiwan, or emerging countries such as Mongolia
Gallery
Admissions
Curriculum
Examples of optional Research Seminars East Asian Studies are 'Multinational Corporations' and 'Europe and China', The topics of the optional research seminars differ every year, so these are merely examples.
Year 1
This track within the Master's degree program International Relations is 60 ECTS. The basic elements are the module Advanced Theory of International Relations (5 EC) and Capita East Asian Studies (5 EC). In the first semester, you take two research seminars on East Asian Studies (10 EC each). Examples are Europe and China; Multinational Corporations; Microfoundations of Development and Conflicts in East Asia; The Rise of East Asia; Integration Processes in East Asia and in Europe. In your second semester, you may opt for a placement, a third research seminar with a focus on East Asia in Groningen, or study abroad (limited places). You will also write a Master's thesis in the field of EAS (20 EC).
Courses
- Advanced theory of International relations (5 EC)
- Research Seminar on East Asian Studies (10 EC)
- Research Seminar on East Asian Studies (10 EC, optional)
- Capita East Asian Studies (5 EC)
- Thesis on East Asian Studies (20 EC)
- Work placement OR Study Period in East Asia OR third Research Seminar on East Asian Studies (10 EC, optional)
Study abroad
Study abroad is optional
Studying abroad is possible through A Master's placement (10 EC, approx. 2 months): There are attractive opportunities for students to conduct a placement in China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, but also other countries. Students can propose a work placement, for instance in a private sector company, international organization, embassy or NGO related to or situated in East Asia.
A semester abroad (limited places): The University of Groningen has study centers in Beijing, Shanghai, and Osaka and offers multi-faculty exchange programs with various partner universities in China, Korea, and Japan. For a limited number of students, it is possible to study a semester abroad, during which time you write your thesis and you select courses for 10 EC.
Those students not opting for studying or placement abroad choose one of the two elective research seminars on East Asia at the University of Groningen.
Career Opportunities
This Master's track has been designed for students who aspire to a career related to East Asia in international business, international cooperation, diplomacy, media, and academia.
The Master program in International Relations prepares its students for professions and research careers where knowledge of international-political developments and the ability to analyze and assess complex issues and to form grounded judgments are relevant.
Alumni of the East Asian Studies trackwork at:
Government:
- Policy Officer Trade and Economy at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Beijing
- Trainee at the Province of North Holland (The Hague)
Business:
- Adviser Economy and Energy - E&E advies (Groningen)
- Client Executive Environment and Energy at Burson-Marsteller(Brussels)
Research and education:
- Ph.D. candidate at the Alliance for Research on East Asia (AREA Ruhr)
- Teacher English Foreign Language - Bangkok
Job examples
- Business consultant
- Manager
- Lobbyist
- Diplomat
- Policy advisor
- Researcher