BA East Asian Studies
About this course
BA in East Asian Studies, an undergraduate degree centred on the historical, economic, political, social and cultural study of Northeast and Southeast Asia. The course includes an optional placement year and an optional year abroad. The first year covers foundations through Modern China: History and Culture, Modern Japan, Foundations of East Asia, Basic Japanese Language 1, Basic Chinese Language 1, Basic Thai Language and Culture, and Introduction to East Asian Religions and Philosophies. The second year provides optional modules such as Topics in Contemporary East Asian Societies, China Since 1979, The Making of Modern Thailand, Contemporary East Asian Culture, Chinese Cinema, Japanese Development Assistance in a Globalising World, and Japan's International Relations. The final year involves compulsory modules including Final Year Project, East Asia's Regional Political Economy, Japan-Korea Relations, Global China in the Developing World, Trauma in the Sinophone World, Religion in China, Buddhism: A Lived Tradition, Death and Religion in Japan, Civil Society and the Non-Profit Sector in Contemporary China, and Japanese Cinema in the World.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: ABB EPQ: BBB plus grade A in the EPQ BTEC: DDM IB: 34 points overall including 16 at Higher Level.
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What students say
Based on about 35 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 79%
- Learning opportunities: 70%
- Assessment and feedback: 68%
- Academic support: 79%
- Organisation and management: 64%
- Learning resources: 84%
- Student voice: 56%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 35 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 76 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 66%
- Working and studying: 13%
- Further study: 8%
- Unemployed: 9%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 22%
- Administrative occupations: 16%
- Teaching Professionals: 9%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 6%
- Elementary occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 78%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 57%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 42%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 360 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 13%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 16%
- East Midlands: 3%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 8%
- London: 38%
- South East: 11%
- South West: 4%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 35 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 90%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Modern China: History and Culture
- Modern Japan
- Foundations of East Asia
- Basic Japanese Language 1
- Basic Chinese Language 1
- Basic Thai Language and Culture
- Introduction to East Asian Religions and Philosophies
- Topics in Contemporary East Asian Societies
- China Since 1979
- The Making of Modern Thailand
- Contemporary East Asian Culture
- Chinese Cinema
- Japanese Development Assistance in a Globalising World
- Japan's International Relations
- Final Year Project:
- East Asia's Regional Political Economy
- Japan-Korea Relations
- Global China in the Developing World
- Trauma in the Sinophone World
- Religion in China
- Buddhism: A Lived Tradition
- Death and Religion in Japan
- Civil Society and the Non-Profit Sector in Contemporary China
- Japanese Cinema in the World
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA East Asian Studies at University of Leeds earn?
The median salary is £27,000 after 15 months, £27,500 after 3 years, £34,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £28,500 and £45,000. The £34,000 median after five years is £3,000 more than the UK median for Asian studies.
What do graduates of BA East Asian Studies at University of Leeds do next?
87% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA East Asian Studies at University of Leeds?
79% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA East Asian Studies at University of Leeds?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 141 UCAS points.
Does BA East Asian Studies at University of Leeds include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA East Asian Studies at University of Leeds?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.