Course summary

This four-year degree is provided jointly by our Department of Linguistics and English Language and our Department of Languages and Cultures. An International Placement Year gives you the unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the Chinese language and culture. You don’t need to have studied Chinese before as we offer an Intensive course for beginners. In Chinese Studies, we aim to help you become truly fluent. You’ll explore China's history, culture, politics and social background. Your English Language studies will include how the English language functions as well as traditional linguistic areas such as lexis, grammar and phonetics. The first year comprises an exploration of the Chinese language and its cultural context, as well as a core module in English language. Alongside this, you can choose a minor subject from a list of subjects provided to you. Building on your language skills in Year 2, you will study one Chinese oral skills module and one Chinese written skills module at the same level of proficiency. In addition, you will study the culture, politics and history of the Chinese-speaking world in more depth in the modules Shaping Chinese Society: Moments and Movements, as well as selecting a module that is international in scope and promotes comparative understanding at a global level, such as Understanding Culture. You combine these with the core English language modules of English Grammar and English Phonetics, and you will choose from a range of English language option modules. Your third year - the International Placement Year - will deepen your intercultural sensitivity and your command of the language. You can study at a partner institution or carry out a work placement and practise your language skills in a real-world context. Staff members within the department will work with you to ensure that you are fully prepared before embarking on your placement in a Chinese-speaking country. In the final year, you will consolidate your Chinese language skills, and study specialist culture and comparative modules, such as Sinophone Literature and Film and Mirrors across the Media. You will also select English language option modules such as Language, Culture and Thought. You will have opportunities to combine your interests in both subjects in longer, supervised projects. Beginners Languages Studying a language from beginners level is somewhat intense in nature so we only allow students to study one language from beginners level. Please bear this in mind when looking at our first year module options. If you apply to study a degree with a language from beginners level, your optional modules will only include higher level languages and modules in other subject areas.