Asia Pacific Studies BA

Encompassing Northeast Asia (e.g. China and Japan), Southeast Asia (e.g. Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam), Pacific America (e.g. United States) and Oceania (e.g. Australia) the Asia-Pacific region contains huge cultural, political and economic diversity.

This Asia Pacific Studies degree allows you to study the Asia-Pacific nations from historical, economic, political, social and cultural perspectives.

Core modules will lay the foundations of your study, exploring the history, politics and economics of the region. From there, you’ll choose from a wide range of optional modules to suit your interests.

East Asian Studies at Leeds covers topics that stretch across the communities of this fascinating region. You can study East Asian religions, modern Thai history, Chinese society or Japanese cinema or even look at key challenges in the region today, such as economic development.

You can learn Chinese, Japanese or Thai from beginner level and this degree includes an optional year abroad.

Specialist resources

This degree offers you the flexibility to focus on the topics and countries that interest you from your first year.

You’ll have the option to learn the Chinese, Japanese or Thai language from beginner level and you’ll be able to explore topics such as Japanese, Chinese or Thai history, society and culture or religious texts from East Asia.

Over the next two years, you’ll continue to deepen your knowledge and enhance your research and critical skills with a range of more advanced modules. You can continue with language study, examine complex issues such as the international politics of Asia-Pacific, learn about the impact of major religions like Buddhism or explore facets of the culture and history of specific countries. Each module gives you the scope to focus on the topics, themes and countries that suit your own interests.

In your final year, you’ll be able to demonstrate the in-depth knowledge and research and critical skills that you have gained with your Final Year Project, which allows you to focus on a topic of your choice in depth.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

Discovery modules

Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.

This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

We use a wide range of teaching and learning styles, including lectures, small-group seminars and tutorials, as well as workshops in some cases. Independent learning is also an important part of your degree, since it allows you to build your research skills and think critically about what you find.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

We use various types of assessment. Exams and essays are a significant part of this, but in some modules will include group work, participation in seminars, surveys, reports, or presentations. We offer support in these areas as well – for example, we run extra classes on skills such as public speaking, structuring essays and exam technique that you’ll be able to attend throughout your time at Leeds.

Entry requirements

A-level: ABB

Other course specific tests:

We welcome applications from mature students with Access qualifications, and from students with a wide range of qualifications.

• Access to HE Diploma

  Pass diploma with 60 credits overall, including at least 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher. An interview and a piece of written work may also be required.

• BTEC

  DDM

• Cambridge Pre-U

  M1, M1, M2

• International Baccalaureate

  34 points overall including 16 at Higher Level.

• Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)

  H2, H2, H2, H3, H3, H3

• Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers

  BB in Advanced Highers and AABBB in Highers, or B in Advanced Highers and AAABB in Highers, or AABBBB in Highers.

• Welsh Baccalaureate

  The Welsh Baccalaureate is not typically included in the academic conditions of an offer made to you for this course. If you choose to undertake the Welsh Baccalaureate we would strongly encourage you to draw upon these experiences within your personal statement, as your qualification will then be taken into account both when your application is initially considered by the selection panel and again when reviewed by the admissions tutor at the time your A-level results are passed to us.

• Other Qualifications

  European Baccalaureate: 75%

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is a contextual admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and contextual admissions.

Typical Access to Leeds offer: BBC at A Level and pass Access to Leeds.

If you don't have the formal qualifications for immediate entry to this course, you may be able to progress through our Arts and Humanities foundation year.

https://courses.leeds.ac.uk/g294/arts-and-humanities-with-foundation-year-ba

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. Contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

How to apply

Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

Read our guidance about applying.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2024

Fees

UK: See fees section below

International: £20,750 (per year)

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will be £9,250 for students starting in 2024/25.

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only, as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2025/26 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. When the fee is available we will update individual course pages.

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2024/25 and 2025/26
Tuition fees for international students for 2024/25 are available on individual course pages. Fees for students starting in 2025/26 will be available from September 2024.

Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

Asia Pacific Studies incorporates a wide range of disciplines. That means that as well as giving you deep understanding of the cultures and communities in one of the world’s fastest-growing regions, it equips you with a range of skills that are very valuable to employers.

You’ll be an independent learner, who can use your research skills to find information from a range of sources and think critically about what you find. You’ll then be able to draw conclusions, communicate and defend them. Teamwork and presentation skills are also highly desirable for employers.

Graduates from this course have begun careers in areas such as business and finance, teaching and publishing. East Asian studies graduates have progressed to careers in law, the civil service and foreign governments, finance, tourism, translation, interpreting, PR, journalism, publishing and research.

Postgraduate study allows for further specialisation in Asia Pacific Studies, or related fields, which can lead to PhD study and a career in academia or to further your knowledge.

We are committed to helping you achieve your career ambitions. The School of Languages, Cultures and Societies careers and employability support includes promoting internships, providing opportunities to work for the School and employer-led workshops and events.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.

Study abroad

All University of Leeds students can apply to spend a year studying abroad. It’s a great way to gain an insight into another culture, as well as gaining valuable experience that will look great on your CV.

A study abroad year provides an opportunity to gain a deeper knowledge and appreciation of your host country.

As well as these benefits, time spent abroad gaining local knowledge hugely increases your graduate prospects and you’ll have time to explore during the vacation period.

Work placements

Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.

Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.