Chinese and English Literature BA (Hons)

University of Westminster

At Westminster we train competent linguists in modern languages ready to enter graduate employment. We place particular emphasis on employability and the contemporary cultural context, and offer high-quality teaching in all language skills.

This course will enable you to achieve a good or high level of linguistic competence in Chinese in all four skill areas (reading, writing, listening and speaking), enhance your skills in using English, and develop your knowledge and understanding of literary and cultural studies. You will be able to function in different cultural situations and acquire the generic qualities and skills of a humanities graduate. You will also gain the transferable and cognitive skills necessary for lifelong personal and professional development.

Our Chinese courses are only available to beginner or intermediate entrants – intermediate entrants are students who have obtained or might be studying for an A level in Chinese, or who might have achieved the equivalent of HSK Chinese Proficiency Test Level 3. Please note that we may need to test you to determine your entry point.

You will study an integrated curriculum with a focus on applied language skills and cultural studies, supported by a rigorous development of your foreign languages skills in all areas.

You will develop a high level of competence in oral and written communication in Chinese, proficiency in language transfer skills, a thorough knowledge of Chinese culture, and the ability to function linguistically in diverse cultural situations.

In English Literature you will have the opportunity to examine literary and non-literary works of all periods from Shakespeare to the present day, taking in a wide range of authors and themes, with a full and balanced coverage of dramatic, poetic and prose works. You will consider the wider historical and political contexts in which cultural and literary works have been produced and received, and relate the works both to intellectual history and to work in other arts and media, such as architecture and the visual arts. You will also have the opportunity to consider the theoretical tools of textual, cultural and literary analysis in detail.

Teaching methods include lectures, tutorials, practical sessions, seminars and workshops, but most of your learning is independent, conducted beyond the classroom (individually and in groups) in the library, at home, and via online learning. Assessment methods include essays, exams, individual and group presentations projects, and critical analysis.

You will have the opportunity to spend a full academic year abroad at a partner institution and/or approved form of employment in a country where Chinese is the official language. You can also study an elective module from across the University in each year.