Dear students.
Welcome to the Chair of International Political Economy of East Asia. Here you will find basic information on our degree programmes. The Bachelor's programme "Economics and Politics of East Asia (WPOA)" and the Master's programme "International Political Economy of East Asia (IPEEA)" are offered jointly by the chairs of Politics of East Asia (POA) and International Political Economy of East Asia (IPEA).
When you choose the Faculty of East Asian Studies, you are choosing to broaden your personal and academic horizons. You will find at the faculty an inspiring and international community of students, researchers, and academic staff, particularly from Europe and Asia.
We want our graduates to become academic professionals and engaged global citizens who contribute to solutions for the challenges facing our society. This calls for teaching that is strongly research-driven.
The Faculty of East Asian Studies was founded in 1965 with the objective of giving new impetus to research and teaching in the field. The Faculty’s study programmes are designed to enable students to address the region comprehensively and across academic disciplines, such as political science, international political economy, area studies, history, linguistics, religion, and sociology. The students gain expert knowledge on the historical and contemporary phenomena in East Asia. The focus of both research and teaching is on China, Japan, and Korea.
Please, do not hesitate and contact our student advisors!
This degree program focuses on the political and economic issues and relationships in the countries and regions of East Asia. For example, it addresses questions about the relationship between the state, the economy, and society in the countries of East Asia. Or which factors have contributed to the rise of East Asia as a politically and economically significant region. The international context is also central, and thus the question of the role of East Asia in global governance, etc. The languages of instruction are German and English - fluent German is a prerequisite, good English skills are an advantage.
Student advisors: wpoastudienberatung@rub.de
A video about the degree program can be found here [in German].
The exemplary study plan (economics elective focus) can be found here [in German].
The exemplary study plan (political science elective focus) can be found here [in German].
The detailed study guide for the B.A. Economics and Politics of East Asia can be found here [in German].
The Modulhandbuch (module handbook) can be found here [in German].
B.A. and M.A. - 2010 Amtl. Bekanntmachung 2.Satzung [in German]
Other important information and documents are available at the examiner's office: Prüfungsamt OAW [in German]
The Master's programme IPEEA essentially builds on the contents of the Bachelor's programme WPOA. It is one of a few degree programmes in Europe providing a postgraduate course focusing on current political and economic issues and problems in the East Asian regions (China, Japan and Korea).
More information at RUB: degree programmes
Student advisors (necessary): ma-ipeea-counselling@ruhr-uni-bochum.de
A promotional video about the master programme can be found here.
The Modulhandbuch (module handbook) can be found here.
The M.A. Checklist can be found here.
Information about the application can be found here.
The M.A. Guidelines for eCampus can be found here.
The Amtliche Bekanntmachung 2020 can be found here [in German].
Other important information and documents are available at the examiner's office: Prüfungsamt OAW [in German]
Copyright © IPEA 2025
Last update: Oct 24, 2025
