Master's Degree Programme in East Asian Studies
Are you interested in understanding the dynamic societies of East Asia through the lens of the social sciences? Would you like to explore how East Asian societies respond to socio-political, economic and historical change, and why developments in the region matter globally? Do you envision a career involving East Asia in international organisations, public administration, diplomacy, research, media, business, or other globally oriented professions?
The interdisciplinary Master's Degree Programme in East Asian Studies (EAST) equips students with in-depth knowledge of contemporary East Asian societies and provides them with the analytical skills needed to understand one of the world's most influential and rapidly changing regions. In addition to region-specific knowledge, students acquire strong social science research skills that enable them to analyse complex societal phenomena and conduct independent research. East Asian language studies form an integral part of the EAST programme, supporting both students' academic development and their Master's thesis research. The EAST programme also offers excellent opportunities for student exchange at the University of Turku's partner universities across East Asia, allowing students to deepen their regional expertise and language proficiency through first-hand experience.
Graduates of the EAST Programme are well prepared for careers in the public, private, and third sectors at national and international level. They are also generally eligible to apply for doctoral studies.
Admission requirements for the Master's Degree Programme in East Asian Studies are informed in the Studyinfo portal. Please see the detailed admission criteria in Studyinfo: Admission Criteria - Master's Degree Programme in East Asian Studies.
Programme in brief
The Master’s Degree in East Asian Studies (120 credits) comprises the following study modules:
Compulsory Studies:
- Study and Research Skills, including a Master’s Thesis, 56 credits
- Compulsory EAST subject Studies, 22 credits
- East Asian Language Studies, 10-20 credits
Elective Studies:
- Elective EAST Subject Studies, 14 credits minimum
- Elective Courses in Study and Research Skills, 2 credits minimum
- Freely elective studies, 0-16 credits
For a detailed information about the courses, please see the Electronic Curriculum.
The University of Turku fosters students' professional growth and global perspective by promoting internships and student exchanges. Every degree student can take advantage of these opportunities – internship subsidy is available for all degree students that find a suitable internship position and every exchange programme includes a grant.
Does this page answer your questions about the programme's content and academic matters? If not, contact ceas@utu.fi.
The Centre for East Asian Studies specialises in research on contemporary East Asian societies, with special focus on various manifestations of civil societies in China, South Korea, North Korea, and Japan. Academic staff at CEAS conducts research, for example, on China’s disaster management, China’s urban governance, environmental issues, social movements, protest and civil society in China, South Korea and Japan, South Korea’s foreign aid and North Korea’s socioeconomic transformation.
CEAS provides research-based teaching on topical issues and socio-political developments in East Asian societies. Students receive individual thesis supervision firmly anchored in the East Asia expertise of the teaching staff.
Students conduct independent research on their chosen topic and write a Master’s Thesis (40 ECTS). This trains students to apply social science methods, carry out research, analyse research data, present their findings orally and in writing, be engaged in argumentation and debate, and communicate their research findings in accordance with scientific standards.
Examples of thesis topics:
- Place and belonging – an ethnography of rural migrant children in Beijing
- Cosmetic surgery and rites of passage in Korean society – a study on cosmetic surgeries after the university entrance exam
- Remembering the war and aggression: a discourse analysis of Japan’s state apologies and commemoration speeches on August 15th 1995–2015
- From the Great Famine (1958–1962) to the food waste problem: the role of memory to enhance the awareness in the city of Shanghai
- Japan’s shining women: young women negotiating the transition to adulthood in Japan
- South Korean presidents and the alliance with the United States 1998‒2012: a case study of the Free Trade Agreement
Check out the complete list of Master’s theses written by our graduates from the programme’s webpages
Students in the Master’s Degree Programme in East Asian Studies (EAST) have very good study exchange opportunities at the University of Turku’s partner universities in the People’s Republic of China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
It is common that students spend one or even two academic terms abroad during their second year in the EAST Programme and also conduct field research for their Master’s thesis during that time.
Career prospects
In this Master’s Degree Programme, you will gain in-depth knowledge on contemporary East Asian societies.
You will learn:
- about present developments, debates, social phenomena and competing perspectives in East Asia, and you learn to put them in contemporary historical context
- East Asian languages as part of your training and intercultural communication skills
- methods in social science as related to East Asian studies
- how to analyse research data and communicate your research findings by writing a Master’s thesis
- how to carry out independent research (your Master’s thesis project)
- communication, computer and organisational skills
Those graduating from the Master’s Degree Programme in East Asian Studies find employment in public, private and third sector jobs, such as in diplomatic service, international organisations, and companies where knowledge on East Asia and dynamic regions is in demand.
Example job titles of our alumni:
- Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Finland
- Junior Account Executive
- Senior Adviser, Finnish Immigration Services
- International Sales Specialist
- HR and Communications Assistant
Graduates of the EAST Programme are eligible to apply to the doctoral programmes at the University of Turku and other universities in the fields of social sciences and East Asian studies.
Student experiences
Podcast: Colours of UniTurku | Navy Blue: Taotao
Colours of UniTurku introduces Taotao, the Student association of the University of Turku. #utuambassador Hinako and the president of Taotao, Malviina Soini, talk about what Taotao does and how they introduce Finnish student culture to international students. Malviina share her passion to inclusive events and love for the Center for the East Asian Studies!
