Modern East Asian Studies, M.A.
The MA Modern East Asian Studies (MEAS) is an English-taught degree program on contemporary East Asia for graduates with a background in East Asian regional studies and outstanding knowledge of an East Asian language. The focus of the program is the theoretical and problem-centered analysis of societies, politics and economies in East Asia and the strengthening of previously acquired language skills.
Programme facts
| Degree | Master of Arts (M.A.) |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 semesters, 60 ECTS |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Required English | C1 |
| Study mode | Full-Time |
| Start | Winter semester |
| Application | Directly to the university, winter semester until 15.07 |
| Admission | No admission restriction: every eligible applicant is admitted |
| Tuition fee | €0 per semester for international students |
| Semester contribution | €304.62 per semester |
What the tuition fee consists of
Will I get in
Every applicant who meets the formal requirements is admitted — but places can run out before the deadline, so apply at the start of the window.
How the selection works and how strong the competition is — we go through it against your certificate when we select programmes for you.
Programme selection →What you study
The one-year MA program MA MEAS offers Advanced Chinese, Japanese or Korean language and the choice of a discipline (sociology, political science or economics). The program combines advanced language skills with interdisciplinary and discipline-specific modules focusing on Chinese, Japanese and Korean studies. Its aim is to deepen and enrich students’ skills in assessing contemporary change, the challenges facing the East Asian region and the implications of such developments for Europe.
The full curriculum and the programme's parameters are part of programme selection: we compare them with your profile.
Pick programmesCareer
Our MA MEAS graduates are qualified
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- for further studies at the doctoral level,
- for high-level positions in multinational corporations, in politics/political consulting, in governmental and non-governmental think tanks and institutions, and in international organizations where intensive knowledge of East Asia and language competency is in high demand.
Several of our alumni have gone on to pursue a PhD degree. Local destinations for research-oriented graduates of our MA programs include the BMBF-funded IN-EAST School of Advanced Studies or the MERCUR-supported Alliance for Research on East Asia AREA Ruhr.
Cost of study
| Tuition fee of the federal state (North Rhine-Westphalia), international students | €0 |
|---|---|
| Semester contribution | €304.62 |
Requirements and application
| Previous education | BA/bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in East Asian regional studies (ideally with a disciplinary focus on sociology, political science or economy) BA encompassing 240 ECTS-Credits (if the BA degree encompasses less than 240 ECTS-Credits, conditional admission may be granted requiring up to 30 ECTS credits in additional courses. |
|---|---|
| Language | English C1 — confirmed by a certificate when you apply |
| Application | Directly to the university, winter semester until 15.07 |
The procedure and the set of documents depend on your certificate. We check the university's requirements against your documents and give you a list: what to submit, how to certify and translate it, where and when to apply.
Check the requirementsHow to get into this programme
- 1Check your certificate and its recognitionDirect admission, a year at a university at home, or Studienkolleg first — this decides the whole plan.
- 2Documents and translationsCertified translations of the certificate and transcript, an APS if required. 3–4 weeks.
- 3Application directly to the university until 15.07Send the documents well before the deadline — an incomplete application cannot be completed after it.
- 4Admission, visa, movingPlan 2–3 months for the visa and the blocked account in parallel.
How to apply
You can submit the application yourself or with our help — the university decides on admission in both cases.
Applications go through the university's portal or uni-assist. Typical mistakes:
- ×incorrectly made certified copies and translations
- ×a wrong set of documents
- ×the application submitted the wrong way
- ×errors or gaps in the application form
- ×the application submitted at the wrong time — too early or too late
An incomplete or incorrectly prepared application is excluded from the selection — it can no longer be corrected after the deadline.
StudyInFocus does not represent the university and does not influence the admission decision. We do not sell study places and do not guarantee admission — this is a service for preparing and submitting documents on the applicant's side.
Questions about this programme
How much does the programme cost?
What language level do I need?
When do I need to apply?
Don't postpone the application
The deadline is 15.07.2027 (274 days left). Language, translations and the document check take months, not weeks. In 30 minutes we will build a plan backwards from the deadline and tell you honestly whether you can make it.