BA Chinese Studies / Course details

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.