Programme description
Our PhD Chinese Studies programme will enable you to undertake a significant piece of research that aligns with our interests in a wide range of areas.
Our research encompasses modern and contemporary cultures in China and Taiwan. This includes cinema and media; social and political history of China; and Chinese Buddhism. The study of modern Chinese art benefits from close collaboration. Our researchers in Chinese Studies work closely with art galleries in Manchester and the north-west.
There are rich opportunities for the study of earlier periods of Chinese history and culture. This is facilitated by the holdings of The University of Manchester Library - the third largest academic library in the UK. The John Rylands Library and Research Institute's holdings are a unique collection of late imperial and early modern texts, art and objects that provide fecund ground for further research. We also run a regular research seminar series in East Asian Studies, and postgraduate students contribute significantly to the running and content of both.
Find out more about our research , our staff and what our current postgraduate research students are working on.
Special features
Manchester China Institute
MCI promotes excellence in research about China across the Humanities. It champions research with impact, seeking to benefit Britain, China, and the world, redress global inequalities, and promote mutual understanding in UK-China relations.
Read more about the research at the MCI .
Additional programme information
Humanities Doctoral Academy
Our Humanities Doctoral Academy combines the strengths of our four schools to bring expertise, knowledge, support and high-quality services for postgraduate researchers.
We are a community of academic leaders and postgraduate researchers across all levels in the Faculty of Humanities. The Doctoral Academy Hub houses our specialist professional service teams who support postgraduate researchers throughout the programme journey. This includes admissions, registration, student experience, progression, examination, and graduation. We collaborate closely with other University directorates including Manchester Doctoral College, Researcher Development team, and the corresponding Doctoral Academies in the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health. Together we provide the best experience and support for your studies and research.
EDI
Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities.
We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact.
We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.
All appointments are made on merit.
The University of Manchester and our external partners are fully committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Teaching and learning
The PhD is the major postgraduate research degree. It involves three years of full-time study or six years of part-time study and the preparation of a thesis of not more than 80,000 words that makes a significant contribution to knowledge.
A satisfactory PhD topic is one that a suitably qualified and properly supervised student can bring to completion within the permitted timeframe.
Please note that all PhD students are required to undertake research training as part of their PhD programme.
Coursework and assessment
Your research will normally be supervised by two members of staff at the University. Your supervisors will most likely be members of the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures, but if your research requires it, we may arrange for supervision by someone outside the School.
Supervisory arrangements at Manchester are governed by a Code of Practice which is available on the University's website.
Regular meetings will be held with the supervisors, and details of each of the meetings will be recorded.
Research panels (consisting of at least three academic staff, including the supervisors) are held once per semester to monitor progress.
Please note that the first year of the full-time programme and the first two years of the part-time programme are probationary. This means you will be required to show evidence of satisfactory progress to proceed with the programme.
Related research
REF 2021
In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF2021) Chinese Studies was assessed as part of The University of Manchester's 'Modern Languages and Linguistics' submission. The University of Manchester was ranked in the top 10 in the UK in terms (by grade point average) among the 47 departments assessed under Unit of Assessment 26. 92% of our research was judged to be in the highest two categories (4*) 'world-leading' or (3*) 'internationally excellent'. Our research environment was also judged to be strong, with 100% judged to be (4*) 'world-leading' or (3*) 'internationally excellent'.
Find out more about our Modern Languages research at Manchester.
What our students say
Facilities
Manchester is home to one of the UK's five National Research Libraries - one of the best-resourced academic libraries in the UK and widely recognised as one of the world's greatest research libraries.
Find out more about libraries and study spaces for postgraduate research students at Manchester.
We also have one of the largest academic IT services in Europe - supporting world-class teaching and research. There are extensive computing facilities across campus, with access to standard office software as well as specialist programmes, all connected to the campus network and internet.
Find out more about facilities for Modern Languages and Cultures students.