East Asia sits at the dynamic heart of global production, trade, and finance. What happens in East Asia is shaping the future of global capitalism. Knowledge about the region is therefore crucial for governments, international organisations and businesses.
You will delve into an advanced, critical exploration of East Asia's transformation and its role in twenty-first-century world affairs. Examine how political, economic and social change across the region intersects with and reshapes global structures, uncovering the opportunities, challenges and strategic questions this interaction creates for governments, firms, and communities.
Core teaching grounds you in the region's historical and contemporary trajectories, enabling you to trace the forces that propelled rapid industrialisation, technological leadership and shifting patterns of welfare and inequality.
You will take a combination of mandatory and optional taught units within the School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies. Each unit is assessed by an essay (or equivalent form of written submission). The taught section of the programme is followed in the summer term by a dissertation.
Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our MSc in East Asian Development and the Global Economy.
You will typically need a strong second-class honours degree (55% or higher) or an international equivalent in any discipline.
If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date.
We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree.
We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement.
If your achieved grade is lower than our entry requirements, your application may be more likely to receive an offer if you have additional qualifications. If you have additional qualifications, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing:
See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.
Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.
If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level E.
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels .
Apply via our online application system. For further information, please see the guidance for how to apply on our webpages.
Overseas applicants: 12 August 2027. Home applicants: 9 September 2027.
Please note that due to high demand, some programmes may close earlier than advertised. Early applications are advised to avoid disappointment. Places are limited and allocated on a continuous basis from September 2026 until all places are filled.