BA
Chinese Studies with Year Abroad BA (Hons)
Immerse yourself in Chinese language and culture. Develop your Chinese language skills and spend a year in China.
How to apply Apply via UCAS
Course details
Start date
Degree Type
BA
UCAS Code
T102
Course length
4 years full-time
Typical offer
AAB
Tuition Fees
- Home (Full-time): 9,535 per year
- Overseas (Full-time): 27,500 per year
Overview
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 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. Read more about our teaching and the year abroad, and hear from our students here
Course details
Start date
Degree Type
BA
UCAS Code
T102
Course length
4 years full-time
Typical offer
AAB
Tuition Fees
- Home (Full-time): 9,535 per year
- Overseas (Full-time): 27,500 per year
What you'll study
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.
Core modules
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Chinese Language 1A
(for post-A level entrants) will help to consolidate and extend grammatical knowledge developed for A Level, and enhance communication skills in written and oral Chinese.
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Chinese Language 1B
which will help you develop elementary level skills in Chinese speaking, listening, reading and writing.
Optional modules
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In recent years, optional modules have included: Introduction to Chinese CultureSociety and Culture in China under the Ming and Qing DynastiesFrench LanguageGerman LanguageItalian LanguageRussian LanguageInternational Security, Interdependence and OrganisationIntroduction to International RelationsSpanish LanguageGallery 101: Designing an Art Exhibition
Core modules
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Chinese Language 2A
or Chinese Language 2B. To build on the Chinese language skills developed in Year 1 in all four competencies: speaking, listening, reading and writing. To prepare linguistically and culturally for the year abroad.
Optional modules
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In recent years, optional modules have included: Chinese CinemaModern China’s TransformationsKinship and ReligionPolitics and EconomicsClassical ChineseFrench LanguageGerman LanguageItalian LanguageIntroduction to Anime: Aesthetic, Technology, SerialityRussian LanguageInternational OrganisationsSpanish LanguageDeath, Ritual and Belief
Core modules
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Study abroad
The third year is spent in China studying the language full-time at a Chinese university.
Core modules
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Chinese Historical and Literary Texts
develops higher level reading and translating skills based on literary and historical texts in Chinese.
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Chinese Language 4
builds on the Chinese language skills developed in your year abroad to the point where you are capable of using Chinese as a working language for employment or further study/research, and are aware of the cultural imperatives for operating in such an environment.
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Dissertation
will give you valuable experience and understanding of self-directed learning and the importance of choosing appropriate methodology when approaching a research project. It will help you to expand your data collection, analysis and presentation skills, and to develop your critical faculties in relation to existing literature on your topic area.
Optional modules
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In recent years, optional modules have included: Anthropology, Art, and ExperienceAnthropological Skills for Climate Change SurvivalViolence and MemoryPower and GovernanceMass Media in ChinaEmpires and States in Early Modern AsiaSpecial Topic on Pacific AsiaReligion and FilmPhotography in East AsiaThe Work of Art: Professional Skills and Work Placement in the Visual Arts
Learning
Language modules cultivate speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. For cultural and historical modules, lectures will introduce themes, context and commentary. Seminars then provide an opportunity to develop your critical skills through discussion with other students and staff. Classroom teaching is only the start – in general, there is an increasing emphasis on independent learning and research, culminating in your dissertation in Year 4. Most of your time will be spent working independently – reading widely, making notes, finding sources and watching/listening to audio-visual materials. Rather than delivering detailed information, the course aims to help you learn how to learn, guiding you towards independence in using resources effectively, thinking critically and formulating persuasive arguments. The year abroad is a key element in your developmental education, enhancing your language skills and expanding your intercultural competence. During your time abroad you will continue to work independently on your Year Abroad assignment and in preparation for your final-year dissertation.Assessment
Language modules are assessed by a mixture of oral, listening and written examinations. Optional modules are assessed by essays, commentaries, projects and examinations. You will also complete a 12,000-word dissertation in your final year. During your year abroad you will complete a Year Abroad assignment.Entry requirements
Fees & Funding
Choose which fees you want to see:
Home / Island students
9,535 per year
International / EU Students
27,500 per year
Home / Island students
Part Time - per year
International / EU Students
Part Time - per year
The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).
Find out moreDepartment Information
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In an era of increasing globalisation, a skill set that includes cultural understanding and proficiency in languages will help you view the world through a different lens while equipping you with the skills that global employers are looking for. Our language-based courses offer the flexibility to specialise in one or two languages and the cultural worlds associated with them – choose from Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hispanic Studies, Italian, Japanese and Russian. You can study from beginners’ level or opt for a more advanced route if you already have an A level or equivalent qualification. All of our language degrees include a year abroad, a valuable experience that will broaden your horizons, boost your skills and give you the confidence to adapt to different environments. You will return to Durham for the final year with a deeper understanding of language and cultures, and be better equipped to make meaningful connections with people around the world. The BA in Visual Arts and Film includes optional modules in languages and an opportunity to apply for a placement year or a year abroad. Course content is almost global in geographical reach covering art, film, and visual culture from the Western world, the Middle East, Eurasia and East Asia. For more information see our department pages.
Read moreFacilities
Our highly skilled academics share their expertise in languages, as well as in literature, cultural history, cinema and visual culture, and translation. Many of our language academics are native speakers, while others have lived experience of the culture and language of the country. Our location on Elvet Riverside is close to the ancient Elvet Bridge, and within easy walking distance of the colleges, Students’ Union and the historic centre of Durham. Learning facilities include language laboratories, computer classrooms and a large study area. There are satellite and recording facilities for viewing programmes in all the major taught languages. The University's fully equipped Centre for Foreign Language Study is housed in the same building, and Languages and Cultures students have access to its facilities.
Find out more -
Career Opportunities
Of those students who graduated in 2021-22
85%
HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey. The survey asks leavers from higher education what they are doing 15 months after graduation. Further information about the Graduate Outcomes survey can be found here www.graduateoutcomes.ac.uk
Employability
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