The Online MA in Asia Pacific Studies has been designed specifically for people who require a strategic understanding of the Asia Pacific region. To meet the needs of working professionals, all teaching and assessment is carried out over the internet:

• Weekly self-instructional lectures are posted on the Online MA site.
• Regular 'virtual seminars' keep students actively engaged with the material and avoid the isolation associated with self-study.
• Emphasis is placed on using existing information on the world wide web.
• Students have regular access to tutors within the Department via email.

The programme typically takes 30 months, in which students learn to:

• Assess accurately the current social and economic situations of countries in the region.
• Assess past and current political developments in the region.
• Study trends in trade and investment.

The course provides detailed information on all major countries in the region, using multi-disciplinary approaches to analyse politics, society and the economy.

Multidisciplinary approach

The modules covered in the Online MA provide students with an opportunity to become familiar with concepts underlying four main disciplines:

• Politics: Nature of the state, political systems, parties and elections, development of civil society, opposition movements, legitimacy crises, international relations.
• Sociology: Major concepts in sociology, role of family, informal social structures, the organisation of work, the media, urbanisation, consumer trends.
• Economics: Theories of economic growth and patterns of development. Analysis of national economies.
• Business studies: industry, services, trade patterns, investment sectors, financial institutions, emerging markets.

Programme structure and schedule

The Online Master of Arts in Asia Pacific Studies is modular in structure, with individual modules each given credit weighting. If you pass the assessment for the module, you receive the credits it is worth and a grade for it. The University requires each student to obtain 180 credits in order to receive a Master's degree. All students take 8 taught modules of 15 credits each, and write a dissertation worth 60 credits.

Assessment

The pass mark for each module is 50* weighted accordingly:

• 50% based on a 2,500 word assignment submitted for each module.
• 40% based on a written examination at the end of each module.
• 10% based on participation in virtual seminars.

To pass the MA, students (a) must have an average mark of 50 in eight 15-credit modules and the Dissertation (i.e. in 180 credits), and (b) must have achieved at least a mark of 50 in the Dissertation and each of six 15-credits modules. In other words, they may fail two modules if their average mark remains above 50.

Other Online programmes*

• Postgraduate Diploma in Asia Pacific Studies: A candidate who is unsuccessful in meeting the requirements for a Master's degree may be eligible for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Asia Pacific Studies, provided he/she has obtained an average mark of 50 in eight 15-credit modules (120 credits).
• Certificate of Achievement in Asia Pacific Studies: Candidates can be accepted for single modules. They are required to sit for the examination at the end of the module. Certificate holders who complete all 8 modules successfully, may, with the approval of the Course Director, proceed on to the full MA by fulfilling all required assignments, and a dissertation.

* Please note that we do not recruit for Postgraduate Diploma or "postgraduate certificates".  The University may award official Postgraduate Diplomas to students who fulfill the requirements. The Course Director may write statements of participation for students who have completed individual parts of the course.

For Current Students

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