International Relations (East Asia) MA

UK

2

What will I learn?

Course details

Immerse yourself in debates about international politics, international organisations and how they influence relationships between nations. The MA in International Relations (East Asia) will equip you with the skills to challenge conventional thinking and analyse your own views about some of the present-day challenges in East Asia and beyond.

The course covers both theoretical and empirical aspects of international relations, examining the history of the field, as well as in-depth study of the major international organisations that contribute to the global order. As the course progresses, you will gain a deeper understanding of how the international community has developed, and the forces that shape its development.

The East Asia route aims to provide advanced knowledge and understanding of the dynamics – including cultural and local political and ideological factors – which shape the contemporary international relations of the region. You will learn to evaluate concepts, theories and paradigms, drawing lessons from real world studies informed by quantitative and qualitative investigations.

Your learning will be informed by a wealth of ongoing research by experts working at the forefront of their field. Core modules in The Politics of East Asia and either International Relations Theory or International Organisations form the foundation of the course. The remaining modules can be tailored to suit your interests, with options spanning topics from Designing Political Inquiry to Contemporary Political Philosophy. You can also choose to explore a contrasting region of the world in greater depth or study a language. These interests can be further developed through the researching and writing of the dissertation.

On completion, graduates are well placed to pursue careers in international organisations, politics and the civil service. Others move into the wider fields of journalism, teaching, business and research.

Which department am I in?

School of Government and International Affairs

Study options

Full Time (1 Year)

Tuition fees
£25,500.00 (US$ 32,931) per year
Accommodation- Standard (shared bathroom) 50weeks - 8075.00 (Total charge)

*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution

Start date

September 2025

Venue

Main Campus

Stockton Road,

Durham,

County Durham,

DH1 3LE, United Kingdom

Entry requirements

For international students

Students need to have a UK 2.1 Bachelor degree, or equivalent. The degree should be in the field of social sciences, but we will actively consider significant relevant experience in lieu of this requirement. Students need to have: IELTS: IELTS: 6.5 (no component under 6.0); TOEFL iBT (internet based test) and TOEFL iBT Home Edition: 92 (no component under 23).

*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.

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About Durham University

Durham University connects a rich history with modern values to create a well-respected and forward-thinking institution.

  • Durham hosts over 18,000 students from across the world
  • Named top 30 international university in the world
  • Durham is one of the top 5 universities in the UK
  • The university received the TEF gold teaching standard