Chinese Studies (with Year Abroad) BA (Hons)

Durham University

This is multidisciplinary degree will develop advanced knowledge and understanding of Chinese language and culture.

You will study a core language module in each of your three years spent in Durham. You don’t need to have any previous knowledge of Chinese, but a pathway is available if you already have an A level or equivalent qualification in Chinese.

You will also have the chance to choose from a selection of other modules relevant to the study of China from other departments. This includes Anthropology, Education, Government and International Affairs, Economics, and Theology and Religious Studies. In addition, you may choose to take additional language modules, including European languages, Japanese and Korean.

You will spend your third year studying the Chinese language at a university in China. This is an amazing opportunity to experience Chinese culture first-hand and to put your language learning into practice and context.

In your final year, you will bring together all your learning and experience to write a dissertation on an aspect of Chinese studies.

Year 1

You will take a double module in Chinese, including the four skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening, a module in Chinese culture introducing the philosophy, art and literature of China, a module in Chinese history and two option modules from an extensive list.

Core modules:

Chinese Language 1B or Chinese Language 2B for post-A level entrants (double module)

Introduction to Chinese Culture

A module on Chinese history offered by the History Department

Year 2

You will take a double module in Chinese language, including the four skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening, a module in Chinese film, a module in Chinese history and two option modules from an extensive list.

Core modules:

Chinese Language 2B (double) or Chinese Language 2A (single)

Chinese Cinema

A module on Chinese history offered by the History Department

Year 3

The third year is spent in China studying the language full-time at a Chinese university. You are required to take all the examinations specified by your host university, but the marks for these do not count towards the final degree mark. You will complete a 5,000-word project in English with a 1,000-character abstract in Chinese on some aspect of China, at your choice with guidance from Durham staff.

Year 4

You will take a double module in Chinese language, a single text reading module in Chinese and a 40-credit Dissertation plus one other module, following either the History route or the Modern languages and cultures route.

Core modules:

Chinese Language 4 (double)

Chinese Historical & Literary Texts

Dissertation

Either History route:

40.credit Dissertation in History

History and Memory in East Asia.

Or MLAC route:

40.credit China-related MLaC Dissertation

20.credit module from MLaC or another department.

We review course structures and core content (in light of e.g. external and student feedback) every year, and will publish finalised core requirements for 2020 entry from September 2019.

Study Abroad

School of Modern Languages and Cultures

We attach great importance to your time abroad, during the third year of your degree, which most students spend as a student at a university in China. This is a time of enormous linguistic and personal development from which you should gain a high level of fluency in your language(s) and enjoy a unique opportunity to make new friends, appreciate new cultures and learn to work and study in new ways. Employers at home and abroad are impressed by the lasting benefits, especially in increased linguistic confidence, intercultural agility and general self-motivation. During the year abroad you will complete an academic assignment related to each of the countries in which you stay. You will need to pass these in order to fulfil the requirements of the BA in Chinese Studies with Year Abroad.

For more information on this course, please see our website.