BA East Asian Studies
About this course
BA East Asian Studies is an undergraduate degree exploring the cultures, histories, and societies of the East Asian region. Core topics include Research Methods. The course allows students to tailor their studies through an interdisciplinary approach. The first year introduces foundational themes through compulsory modules Introduction to Chinese Studies and Introduction to Japanese Studies, alongside optional topics such as Visual Cultures in China and East Asia, Japanese History and Civilisation, and Empire and Culture in East Asia. The second year provides optional focus areas including China's Borderlands: Culture, Ethnicity and History, Introduction to Classical Chinese, Late Imperial China: the Great Wall and Beyond, Bodies, Gender and Sexuality in Modern Japan, Core Themes in Animated Film and Visual Culture of Postwar Japan, and Race, Class, and Gender in Japan and South Korea. In the final year, students can select from optional modules such as Socialism in China, Navigation of Emotions in Chinese Culture, Business Chinese, Science and Civilisation in East Asia, and Culture, Gender and Resistance in Contemporary Japan and East Asia, with the option to complete a Dissertation in Modern Languages and Cultures.
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 including one essay based subject
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What students say
Based on about 8 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 98%
- Learning opportunities: 87%
- Assessment and feedback: 85%
- Academic support: 95%
- Organisation and management: 82%
- Learning resources: 85%
- Student voice: 85%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 14 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Administrative occupations: 20%
- Elementary occupations: 20%
- Teaching Professionals: 10%
- Information Technology Professionals: 5%
- Protective service occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 50%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 25%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 15%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 30 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 35%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- West Midlands: 10%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 25%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 15%
Who gets in
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 60%
- Baccalaureate: 10%
- Foundation course: 10%
- A degree: 10%
- Other HE qualification: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Introduction to Chinese Studies
- Introduction to Japanese Studies
- Visual Cultures in China and East Asia
- Japanese History and Civilisation
- Empire and Culture in East Asia
- China's Borderlands: Culture, Ethnicity and History
- Introduction to Classical Chinese
- Late Imperial China: the Great Wall and Beyond
- Bodies, Gender and Sexuality in Modern Japan
- Core Themes in Animated Film and Visual Culture of Postwar Japan
- Race, Class, and Gender in Japan and South Korea
- Socialism in China
- Navigation of Emotions in Chinese Culture
- Business Chinese
- Science and Civilisation in East Asia
- Culture, Gender and Resistance in Contemporary Japan and East Asia
- Dissertation in Modern Languages and Cultures
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA East Asian Studies at University of Manchester earn?
The median salary is £27,500 after 15 months, £26,000 after 3 years, £30,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £24,000 and £38,500. The £30,000 median after five years is £1,000 less than the UK median for Asian studies.
What do graduates of BA East Asian Studies at University of Manchester do next?
75% 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 Manchester?
98% 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 Manchester?
The typical offer is ABB at A level. The average entrant had 157 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA East Asian Studies at University of Manchester?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.