opbouwThe Master's in East Asian Studies is divided into two semesters and has a modular structure. Elective courses are offered in both semesters as well as an MA thesis on a topic of your choice, giving you a considerable degree of freedom for individual specialisation.
An important part of the programme (about one-third) consists of advanced language training in modern and/or classical Chinese, Japanese or Korean. The first semester consists of the core course Approaches to Asia, which is compulsory for all specialisations within the MA Asian Studies. You will also take advanced language courses, and one or two elective courses, which introduce the issues, debates and methodologies of a discipline in relation to your chosen countries or region of Asia. A thesis research seminar class will also be taken that is linked to one of your electives. The second semester combines language courses and further elective courses. You will write your thesis in conjunction with one of these electives. You are expected to use primary materials in Chinese, Japanese or Korean when writing your MA thesis.
A detailed outline of the curriculum for the Master's in East Asian Studies is available on the e-Prospectus:
https://studiegids.leidenuniv.nl/en/studies/show/6857/asian-studies-60-ec-east-asian-studies. Please note that this guide applies to the current academic year.