
- UCAS course code
- T100
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course description
You will study Chinese language throughout BA Chinese Studies. The core language teaching in Chinese enables you to develop various linguistic skills, including:
- speaking and writing accurately;
- understanding and analysing audio, video and written material;
- using different registers;
- speaking to a group with confidence;
- translating with appropriate sensitivity.
At the same time, you can choose China-related topics in:
- literature;
- film;
- cultural studies;
- politics;
- history;
- linguistics;
- economics;
- development studies;
- business.
You will draw on the wide range of research expertise in Chinese Studies across the Faculty of Humanities, tailoring the course according to the development of your interests.
You'll benefit from excellent teaching, student support and cutting-edge study facilities, as well as from the vibrancy and cultural diversity of Manchester itself, Western Europe's most multilingual city.
With placement options available at partner universities in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong, a compulsory third year abroad will give you an unforgettable and invaluable personal and professional experience.
Special features
Residence abroad
You can study abroad for up to a year to improve your communicative language skills in a native-speaker environment.
Palaver Festival
Palaver Festival , a collaboration with the neighbouring Contact Theatre, offers you the opportunity to explore links between language and performance across a range of genres including literature, theatre, dance and more.
Collaborations and partnerships
The University has links with language and cultural institutions across the city, including:
- Instituto Cervantes - a centre for Spanish culture
- HOME - international and contemporary art, theatre and film
- Manchester China Institute - which promotes mutual understanding in UK-China relations by conducting and supporting multidisciplinary research, teaching, and activities about China.
- Alliance Francaise - home of French language and culture.
Societies
The University is home to over 30 international and language-related student societies offering a breadth of cultural activities and experiences.
Teaching and learning
You will be taught through a mixture of formal lectures, seminars and tutorials.
You will spend approximately 12 hours each week in formal study sessions, and for every hour spent at the University you will be expected to complete a further 2-3 hours of independent study. You will also need to study during the holiday periods.
The individual study component could be spent reading, producing written work, revising for examinations or working in the University's Language Centre. We'll provide individual learning support to help you take control of your learning and develop your confidence.
Coursework and assessment
You will be assessed in various ways, including:
- written and oral examinations;
- presentations;
- coursework (which may include library research, linguistic fieldwork and data collection, or web-based research).
Many course units are assessed through a mixture of techniques.
In your final year, you can choose to write a dissertation.
Course content for year 1
All Year 1 students take the core unit Introduction to Chinese Studies, plus language. Students on a single honours degree also take units in Chinese culture, literature and history, and then choose from a range of optional units.
Course units for year 1
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Introduction to Chinese Studies | CHIN10050 | 20 | Mandatory |
Visual Cultures in China and East Asia | CHIN12522 | 20 | Mandatory |
Chinese Language 1 | CHIN51011 | 20 | Mandatory |
Chinese Language 2 | CHIN51022 | 20 | Mandatory |
Modern China: from the Opium Wars to the Olympic Games | HIST10151 | 20 | Mandatory |
Chinese Language 3 | CHIN51031 | 20 | Optional |
Chinese Language 4 | CHIN51042 | 20 | Optional |
Chinese Language 5 | CHIN51050 | 20 | Optional |
Course content for year 2
In addition to continuing your study in Chinese language, you will develop your studies of China via a choice of course units in areas across the humanities, such as literature, visual cultures, classical Chinese, religion, film, history, society, economics, anthropology and business. You will also begin to prepare for your residence abroad.
Course units for year 2
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Introduction to Classical Chinese | CHIN28572 | 20 | Mandatory |
Chinese Language 3 | CHIN51031 | 20 | Mandatory |
Chinese Language 4 | CHIN51042 | 20 | Mandatory |
Chinese Language 5 | CHIN51050 | 20 | Mandatory |
Chinese Language 6 | CHIN51060 | 20 | Mandatory |
China's Borderlands: Culture, Ethnicity and History | CHIN20062 | 20 | Optional |
The Environment in Chinese Literature & Film | CHIN20241 | 20 | Optional |
Introduction to Classical Chinese | CHIN28572 | 20 | Optional |
Chinese Language 3 | CHIN51031 | 20 | Optional |
Chinese Language 4 | CHIN51042 | 20 | Optional |
Displaying 10 of 11 course units for year 2 | |||
Display all course units for year 2 |
Course content for year 3
Your third year of study is spent abroad under approved conditions.
Course units for year 3
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Ideas and Ideologies in Chinese Civilisation | CHIN30402 | 20 | Optional |
Socialism in China | CHIN32011 | 20 | Optional |
Languages-Based Project 1 | CHIN51071 | 10 | Optional |
Language-Based Project 2 | CHIN51072 | 10 | Optional |
Course content for year 4
For Single Honours students, you will undertake a dissertation in Chinese studies to work on an area of particular interest in depth.
Both Single and Joint Honours students will also select from various units in cultural, historical, religious and social science areas.
The language teaching programme continues to develop skills such as reading and writing Chinese, and includes work on translation as a practical skill.
Course units for year 4
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Dissertation in Chinese Studies | CHIN30000 | 40 | Mandatory |
Chinese Language 6 | CHIN51060 | 20 | Mandatory |
Languages-Based Project 1 | CHIN51071 | 10 | Mandatory |
Language-Based Project 2 | CHIN51072 | 10 | Mandatory |
Dissertation in Chinese Studies | CHIN30000 | 40 | Optional |
Ideas and Ideologies in Chinese Civilisation | CHIN30402 | 20 | Optional |
Socialism in China | CHIN32011 | 20 | Optional |
Business Chinese | CHIN38682 | 20 | Optional |
Chinese Language 5 | CHIN51050 | 20 | Optional |
Chinese Language 6 | CHIN51060 | 20 | Optional |
What our students say
Student life is far different from anything I ever thought it could be.
There is always something new to do, new places to visit and new people to meet.
It is exciting, exhilarating and emotional all at the same time.
Serena Claire Vitale, French and Chinese Studies BA
Facilities
The University Language Centre is home to language resources, including a new interpreting suite, purpose-built recording rooms and resources for over 70 languages.
The Centre also offers multilingual word processing, language learning software, off-air recording and AV duplication, multilingual terrestrial and satellite TV, and extensive support and advice for learners.
Learn more on the Facilities page.