East Asian Studies

Entry requirements

An upper second-class undergraduate honours degree (or equivalent) and normally a merit at MSc/MA level (or equivalent).

Months of entry

January, September

Course content

Conduct advanced research on East Asia in an innovative interdisciplinary school. Study with internationally renowned sociology, politics and international relations scholars in a dynamic and supportive research environment.

Focus on East and South Asian societies, culture and politics, including issues relating to security, conflict, peace and violence; ethnicity, migration and citizenship; gender and sexuality; race, colonialism, postcolonialism, and decolonialism; the climate crisis; political economy; political and social inequalities; social, political and international theory; and socio-technical systems and their politics, among others.

Benefit from academic expertise across a range of cultural, political and social theory and scholars who champion diverse research methodologies. Get specialised support and oversight from two PhD supervisors whose current active research interests and expertise are relevant to your chosen research area.

Be challenged and inspired by an international community of scholars addressing some of the most important topics that face us today. Join a diverse, innovative community, committed to rigorous conceptual and empirical research that is politically and socially relevant and problem-orientated.

Produce work that advances theory, knowledge and methods at the cutting edge and contributes to a better understanding and improvement of the world.

Information for international students

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Fees and funding

The Faculty of Social Sciences and Law has an allocation of 1+3 and +3 ESRC scholarships. Applicants may also be interested in applying for funding from the University of Bristol scholarship fund or alumni PhD scholarship fund.

For more information about funding visit our Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarships page.

Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.