Master of Arts in Modern East Asian Studies (MA MEAS) University of Duisburg-Essen

All courses are taught in English, and students write their MA theses in English as well.

Of course, the East Asian language courses will be taught in Japanese, Chinese or Korean according to students' knowledge.

The Master's programme in Modern East Asian Studies (MA MEAS) is an English-taught, social science-based degree programme with a contemporary and interdisciplinary profile.

The programme provides research-focused training for highly motivated and qualified graduates holding a BA degree or equivalent qualification in East Asian regional studies, possessing advanced knowledge of an East Asian language, and demonstrating a strong background in social science or economics relevant to the region.

The MEAS programme aims to train students in the theoretical and problem-centred analysis of social, political, and economic phenomena in East Asia. The objective of the programme is to deepen and enrich students' ability to assess contemporary change, challenges for the East Asian region, and implications of such developments for Europe. Students will meet this objective by utilising strong language competencies in Chinese, Japanese or Korean and applying sound knowledge of disciplinary methods and theories.

The MA programme in Modern East Asian Studies cultivates three core sets of skills:

1. It deepens students’ existing methodological skills by applying them to the analysis of the East Asian context.
2. It broadens their knowledge of East Asia in regional, disciplinary and interdisciplinary aspects.
3. It enhances their proficiency in one of three East Asian languages (Chinese, Japanese or Korean).

The one-year (equivalent to two semesters) MA MEAS programme offers advanced Chinese, Japanese or Korean language classes and a choice of a discipline corresponding to the student’s previous training (sociology, political science or economics). The programme combines strong language skills with interdisciplinary and discipline-specific modules focusing on Chinese, Japanese and Korean studies. Methodological training is integrated into the Advanced East Asian modules.

Beginning: The study programme begins in the winter semester, which always starts at the beginning of October and ends at the end of March. The lecture period of the winter semester ends in February, with examinations and term paper deadlines usually being spread out during February and March.

The summer semester starts in April.

Mode of study:

Classes (and examinations) usually take place on campus in Duisburg and are supplemented by e-learning elements, asynchronous digital tasks etc.

E-learning and online elements supplementing on-site learning:

At IN-EAST, we endeavour to integrate e-learning elements into all our modules. Module instructors choose the appropriate e-learning elements depending on teaching content and learning targets of the respective class. All our courses use the university's online platform for virtual classrooms to provide digital materials, like readings or pre-recorded videos, and to facilitate digital communication between students and instructors as well as among students.

In the language courses, students learn about relevant digital resources to support their learning process and also use virtual classrooms for accessing materials, submitting homework, etc.

Some of our lectures and events are offered in a hybrid or online format – for example, if international guest speakers are involved or an event is simultaneously streamed for a wider audience.

The application deadline is

• 15 July for non-EU applicants and
• 15 September for EU applicants / "BildungsinländerInnen" / non-EU citizens with an EU BA degree

to start the study programme in October of the same year.

Early applications are welcome. Please note that the online application platform for non-EU applicants opens on 1 May each year.

Details on the application process can be found here.

The structure of the MEAS Master's programme includes interdisciplinary and discipline-specific modules focusing on Chinese, Japanese, and Korean studies. Discipline-specific methodological training may both be integrated into the region-specific modules and offered as separate modules.

In the first semester, students select three modules in Advanced East Asian Studies (6 ECTS credits each) and take the advanced language class of their choice.

The second semester is dedicated to writing the Master's thesis. The Master's thesis is an independent piece of research on a cutting-edge topic concerning contemporary East Asia, showcasing the language skills, knowledge and competencies acquired in theoretical, methodological and regional East Asian studies.

Depending on individual progress and planning, the second semester may serve as a window of opportunity for optional study stays abroad (subject to approval by the coordinator/supervisor, availability of places at partner universities, etc.) or internships abroad.

Internships are not required, but they are nonetheless recommended.
Internship positions can be found through the Confucius Institute, AIESEC or KOPRA.

No tuition fees

About 310 EUR per semester

In comparison to other places in Germany, costs of living in Duisburg and its surroundings are relatively low. Please check the DAAD website for general information: https://www.daad.de/en/study-and-research-in-germany/plan-your-studies/costs-of-education-and-living/.

• Bachelor's degree or higher education degree equivalent to a Bachelor's degree in East Asian / Asian regional studies, social or political sciences or economics with 240 ECTS credits and a minimum grade average of 2.5 according to the German grading system
• Depending on an applicant’s prior education and training, conditional admission may be granted, requiring up to 30 ECTS credits in additional courses (for example, for applicants with a BA degree of less than 240 ECTS credits in total, or if the admission committee identifies gaps or weak areas). In this case, the student can also be admitted for the summer semester. Additional classes will be determined individually by the IN-EAST examination board.
• Complete set of application documents (see here)
• Interview (conducted in English) if deemed necessary by the admission board

English language:
Level C1 (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment) demonstrated by test results of TOEFL, IELTS and similar tests. If your mother tongue is English or your previous university degree was taught in English, you do not need to submit a test result.

East Asian languages: MEAS students are expected to have either Japanese language proficiency equivalent to approximately JLPT N2, or Chinese language proficiency equivalent to approximately HSK 4, or Korean language proficiency equivalent to approximately TOPIK 3 in order to attend the advanced-level language courses.

German language: German language skills are recommended, but they are NOT required.

The application deadline is

• 15 July for non-EU applicants and
• 15 September for EU applicants / "BildungsinländerInnen" / non-EU citizens with an EU BA degree

to start the study programme in October of the same year.

Early applications are welcome. Please note that the online application platform for non-EU applicants opens on 1 May each year.

Details on the application process can be found here.

The University of Duisburg-Essen offers the UDE Stipend. For more information, click here. Please note that only a limited number of students can be supported each year.

The institute occasionally has positions for student assistants. Students can also check the university-wide announcements for student jobs beyond the IN-EAST.

Please see this website on accommodation, provided by our International Office.

Students are welcome to discuss potential career choices in one-on-one mentoring sessions and are encouraged to attend extracurricular events that may help them find suitable career paths. The institute also shares information regarding job openings, internal and external career information sessions or job fairs via the student mailing list, and arranges career-related events with our alumni organisation.

At the University of Duisburg-Essen’s Institute of East Asian Studies (IN-EAST), many scholars from various academic disciplines are engaged in both research and teaching in connection with contemporary East Asia. Established in 1994, IN-EAST is one of Germany’s large centres of social science research on contemporary East Asia.

The University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) – one of the youngest and largest universities in Germany – is located in the heart of the Ruhr metropolitan region. Its broad spectrum of subjects ranges from the humanities, social sciences and education to economics, engineering, natural sciences and medicine. Since its foundation in 2003, the UDE has developed into a globally recognised research university. This is documented by the top international positions it has now achieved.

The UDE's range of services is broad and includes, among others, the interdisciplinary profile foci of nanosciences, biomedical sciences, urban systems, transformation of contemporary societies and water research. Another central field of research is lifelong education and socialisation processes.

Innovative and digitally supported teaching and learning concepts make the UDE an attractive place for research-based teaching. It offers its 41,740 students from over 130 nations 267 degree programmes, 127 of which are teacher training programmes.

The UDE is regarded as a national model of how educational equity can be implemented at a university. Numerous measures and projects promote young talents with prospects. The UDE sees itself as a vibrant place of diversity and openness, where students, researchers and employees can develop their potential and willingness to perform. In doing so, a broad-based, resource-saving development is strived for.

The UDE has a strategic partnership with the Ruhr-Universität Bochum and the Technische Universität Dortmund under the umbrella of the Universitätsallianz Ruhr (UA Ruhr). They cooperate closely in research and teaching and are also jointly present in three continents with their own branch offices. In addition, the UDE maintains partnerships with over 100 universities around the world.

Learn more about our university here.

The Ruhr metropolis is full of surprises, one of which has been its cultural transformation from a traditional industrial region to a European Capital of Culture and home to 5.3 million people from 140 countries. The historic roots of both university cities, Duisburg and Essen, can be traced far back into the High Middle Ages. As a Rhine port, Duisburg is one of the oldest cities in the Lower Rhine region. It was here that scientist and cartographer Gerhard Mercator produced his world-famous atlases in the 16th century. By the time Bonn became a university city in 1818, the university in Duisburg had already been in existence for more than 150 years. Iron, steel, and the port still characterise Duisburg and the life of its 500,000 inhabitants. Half of all of Germany's pig iron is produced here, along with a third of the country's crude steel. As the largest inland port in Europe, Duisburg is not only a logistics hub, but also a hub of cultural activity. Restaurants, museums, and cultural venues are located on the city's trendy inner harbour and a lively pub culture thrives in the university district of Neudorf and the area known as the Dellviertel. Duisburg's many attractions include its legendary zoo with panda and dolphin shows and, for art lovers, the city's Wilhelm Lehmbruck Museum. Duisburg has a critically acclaimed theatre and music scene of European standard. And for anyone wishing to try their luck, the new Mercatorhalle in Duisburg city centre now houses an elegant casino. The city centre has been transformed into a stylish shopping area. The old inner harbour, also close to the city centre, is now a popular spot, integrating offices, museums, restaurants, and many other features. Nearby recreational areas such as the Sechs-Seen-Platte (Six-Lakes-Native Area) and the Landschaftspark Nord – an old steel mill transformed into a park and cultural centre – are also popular attractions.

More information:

https://www.uni-due.de/en/international

https://www.study-in-germany.de/en/plan-your-studies/study-options/cities/duisburg/