The University of Edinburgh
Chinese and Linguistics MA (Hons)
The University of Edinburgh

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews of 75 graduates of Chinese and Linguistics MA (Hons) and other courses in Linguistics at The University of Edinburgh for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Linguistics.

Overall student satisfaction
62 /100
75 total respondents

Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.

The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in Linguistics

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Linguistics at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £24000 £23000 £26000
25-75 percentile range £20000 - £28000 £19500 - £27500 £21500 - £32000


Salary of all UK Graduates of Linguistics

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £23342 £22736 £27254
25-75 percentile range £19981 - £27684 £17114 - £28380 £20814 - £34384

Course Description

As the world's second most spoken language, Mandarin Chinese and its associated cultures have helped to shape the contemporary world in many ways.

This joint honours programme gives you the opportunity to study Chinese while developing your social scientific understanding of language.

Chinese and Linguistics make an excellent joint honours choice by combining the study of:

  • a language in its cultural, historical and political context
  • the expression and creation of meaning

Linguistics courses of particular relevance to language students cover:

  • the speech sounds of the world's languages
  • variation in the languages of the world
  • the structure and history of world languages

Chinese

Edinburgh is the only university in Scotland to offer both single and joint honours undergraduate programmes in Chinese.

While we specialise in teaching students with little or no prior knowledge of the language, we can also accommodate students who already have some experience of studying Chinese.

Study with us, and you will develop advanced competency in modern standard Chinese. You will gain the skills needed to use the language daily in social and professional settings, focusing on:

  • reading
  • writing
  • speaking
  • listening
  • translation

You will spend Year 3 using and honing these skills studying in China or Taiwan.

As well as language skills, you will also gain specialist knowledge on mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and associated diasporas in pre-modern, modern and contemporary contexts.

Our courses explore:

  • history
  • literature
  • culture
  • politics
  • international relations

You can also opt to learn to read Classical Chinese.

Linguistics

Linguistics examines how language works, describing how sounds, words, sentences and conversations combine to express and create meaning.

You will also study:

  • the uses of language in everyday life
  • the ways in which language varies across society and evolves over time
  • how language is mastered by children

As you progress through the programme, you will have the opportunity to plan and test scientific hypotheses about linguistic phenomena using specialist linguistics and phonetics equipment.

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Chinese and Linguistics MA (Hons) at The University of Edinburgh

15% Natural and social science professionals
15% Nursing Professionals
10% Conservation and environment professionals
10% Managers, directors and senior officials
10% Business, Research and Administrative Professionals
5% Media Professionals
5% Animal care and control services
5% Business and public service associate professionals
5% Customer service occupations
5% Teaching Professionals

Grading & Study Time

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for Linguistics

Qualification requirements

Scottish Higher qualifications are considered on an individual basis

31-30 overall or 665-655 in 3 HL subjects.

Please note that the Chinese degrees involve beginners language study and are not suitable for native or near-native speakers. For degrees that have a subject requirement of a language other than English, students may not use their own native language to meet this requirement. In these instances, English or an alternative language other than native will be acceptable. Detailed entry requirements, including typical offer levels, and information about other qualifications we accept, are available on the University of Edinburgh’s website. You’ll also find important information on how to apply. You must submit a fully completed UCAS application that includes details of the qualifications you are taking, including full predicted grades for qualifications not yet completed, your personal statement and your reference.

English language requirements

test Grade Additional Details
IELTS (Academic) 6.5

Total 65 with at least 5.5 in each component.

TOEFL (iBT) 92

Total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.

Cambridge English Advanced

Total 176 with at least 162 in each component

Cambridge English Proficiency

Total 176 with at least 162 in each component

Trinity ISE

ISE II with distinctions in all four components

PTE Academic 62

Total 62 with at least 54 in each component

Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Chinese and Linguistics, MA (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Chinese and Linguistics MA (Hons)

Channel Islands £9250 year 1
Ireland £9250 year 1
Scotland £1820 year 1
England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
EU £26500 year 1
International £26500 year 1

Additional fee information

Scottish students must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for payment of their tuition fees.

EU On 9th July 2020 the decision was made by the Scottish Government to end free university tuition for European Union (EU) students starting in 2021-22. Funding policy for EU nationals and associated groups starting a course of study in academic year 2022-23 or later will be in line with international fees.

Full time international and EU students will pay a fixed annual fee rate for the duration of their programme.

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 2025

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Possible Entry Points:

  • year 1 (Default entry point)

University Rankings

Positions of The University of Edinburgh in top UK and global rankings.

See all 38 university rankings of The University of Edinburgh

About The University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is located in the Scottish city of the same name, and is one of the oldest universities in the entire United Kingdom, having opened in the year 1583. The university enjoys a strong reputation for its contributions to international research efforts, which is reflected in their inclusion in the Russell Group, Universitas 21, and Una Europa. Edinburgh offers its residents a historic yet modern city, with a lively nightlife scene, reliable public transport, and friendly locals.

List of 686 Bachelor and Master Courses from The University of Edinburgh - Course Catalogue

Where is this programme taught

Central area campus
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