Masters degrees in Chinese Language & Literature equip postgraduates with the skills to critically analyse and understand the history, development and usage of various linguistic systems in China as well as the literary works and traditions developed within them.
Related subjects and postgraduate specialisms include Chinese Studies and Chinese-English Translation. Entry requirements normally include an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject such as Languages and Literature or Cultural studies.
Scotland’s engagement with China is set to become even stronger, particularly in light of Scotland’s China Strategy. Given this, and the international standing of our Scottish Centre for Chinese Studies, researching this field from the Scottish capital makes perfect sense.
Our internationally respected academic staff, excellent facilities and academic, professional and cultural links with the Chinese community and Chinese organisations reinforce the world-leading nature of our research, and the prestige of our postgraduate opportunities.
Our research options centre on the interests of our Chinese members of staff, which include modern culture, both classical and modern literature, media and film, ancient philosophy and religion, and modern Chinese politics.
As a postgraduate student you will be part of the Scottish Centre for Chinese Studies, with strong links to researchers at other Scottish institutions that provide a wealth of networking and collaboration opportunities.
In addition, interdisciplinary seminars will widen your perspectives and introduce you to fellow students in related areas of research. You will enjoy comprehensive library resources and exceptional computer facilities, including Chinese word processing.
We encourage engagement with Chinese culture during your research. The Confucius Institute for Scotland – a national centre promoting ties between Scotland and China, based at the University of Edinburgh – offers flexible language programmes as well as courses on many aspects of contemporary China, lectures by distinguished visiting speakers, cultural events and space for leisure and social contacts with the Chinese community.
You are also able to take part in cultural and social events organised by the Edinburgh University Chinese Cultural Society and the Scotland China Association.
The University Library contains an open-access collection of books and journals in modern and classical Chinese intershelved with Western-language works on China. It has also recently invested extensively in electronic databases and other online resources on China. Postgraduate students can access the National Library of Scotland and Edinburgh Central Library.
The nearby Royal Scottish Museum has a fine collection of Chinese artifacts. The Chinese section holds a small reference library with a good collection of books and videos. Word-processing facilities including CJK are available in the Chinese section and in the 24-hour College microlab.
Offering two years of study (double that of most masters programmes) and a funded six-month placement at Fudan University’s prestigious International Cultural Exchange School, this programme draws on a wide range of expertise in Chinese studies.
Catering to students at both the beginner and intermediate language levels, this flexible programme is presented by experts in their respective areas, and places you within a vibrant environment in Edinburgh that actively engages with the Chinese community, both academically and socially.
You’ll develop advanced skills in Modern Standard Chinese (Mandarin) and explore aspects of contemporary Chinese society, culture, economy, politics and business.
This programme will provide you with more than 800 hours of language tuition. You will study in interactive multimedia language classes with teachers that include native speakers, in small groups of international students from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds.
Language development will be the key focus in your first year, along with four compulsory courses. The first half of your second year will be spent at Fudan University.
Compulsory courses:
Option courses may include:
On completion of the programme, you will:
This programme will give you the foundation for a career in China-related business, diplomacy, journalism or culture. Alternatively, your studies may inspire you to continue on to research at a doctoral level, and develop an academic career.
Even if you choose to pursue a career in an alternative field, you’ll find the skills you gain in research, communication, presentation and analysis will give you an edge in the competitive employment marketplace.
With the rise of China as a global economic power there is an increasing demand among organisations and companies from around the world, working with and in China, for professionals with knowledge of China’s political, economic and social systems and who can also speak Chinese. The Master of China Studies provides those in the programme with in-depth knowledge of China’s history, politics, society and economy, in order to equip them with a more comprehensive understanding of China’s complex socio-economic system. This knowledge will provide graduates of the programme with unique and important insights, as well as language training, critical to operating and decision-making in the Chinese context in any field.
The Department of China Studies at XJTLU has a large and diverse group of experts from around the world who will introduce students to different perspectives on China from different disciplinary backgrounds, including politics, history, political economy, literature and sociology, amongst others.
Our research ties with key universities in China’s Jiangnan region (including in Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces) provide further opportunities for students to enrich their learning experience by spending a period of study at one of those universities.
Upon graduating students will acquire a comprehensive knowledge of China’s history, culture, society, politics, and economy, as well as of China’s regional, technological, and social policy development. Students will also learn or improve their Chinese language skills.
The completion of additional learning activities is required to complete your masters degree. Normally, required ALA hours will be distributed evenly across each semester, amounting to 200 hours per semester.
Possible activities include:
Companies, non-profit organisations, and government agencies working in diverse fields (technology, health, media, culture and society) dealing with China or operating in China are demanding graduates with a comprehensive understanding of China’s past and present society, economy and politics. Particularly for international students, this China expertise and ability to speak Chinese will enhance their career prospects in whichever field they operate in.
If you are a graduate of XJTLU, the University of Liverpool or Xi’an Jiaotong University, you will automatically receive a discount of 20 percent of the tuition fee.
Applications should be submitted via our online application system:
Once your application account is successfully created, enter all the information required in the application form carefully and make sure the information you provide is correct, complete and up to date. Upload the required documents to the corresponding fields.
You may log-in to view your application form at any time and upload any remaining supporting documents.
For further details of how to successfully apply to study at XJTLU, please visit the how to apply page.
Visit our website for more information on fees, scholarships, postgraduate loans and other funding options to study Modern Languages at Swansea University - 'Welsh University of the Year 2017' (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017).
Modern Languages at Swansea encompasses Arabic, French, German and Hispanic Studies with research strengths in written culture from the medieval period to the present day, including contemporary European cinema. We also have language expertise in Italian and Mandarin Chinese, but, depending on your choice of topic, advanced knowledge of a language is not an entry requirement. Some comparative projects in both literature and film can be researched in English translation.
The MA by Research in Modern Languages is ideal for those who want:
an MA qualification in niche areas where taught programmes are not offered;
the experience of a research degree without committing to a PhD at the outset.
Research proposals are invited on any topic in Modern Languages for which staff can provide supervision. It is advisable to email a member of academic staff in the appropriate area before applying (see staff web pages).
An MA by Research in Modern Languages gives you the chance to pursue a project based around your own passions and interests, leading to a qualification which can open the door to an academic career or boost employment prospects outside academia (typically in the private sector, the Civil Service, or education).
It will give you the freedom to explore a topic of your choosing in Modern Languages and develop a methodology under the close supervision of two experienced academics but without attending regular classes as required in taught programmes.
You will be supervised closely by two experienced academics in your field. Typically, you will meet them fortnightly in the first term and at regular intervals thereafter. Meetings are logged and goals agreed each time.
All research students in Modern Languages are required to attend skills and training courses at College and Institutional level. They give presentations to other research students and staff at departmental seminars and the annual departmental postgraduate symposium in June and the College of Arts and Humanities conference in October. Advanced research students may have opportunities to teach undergraduate tutorials and seminars. You have a budget (currently £200 per year) to attend conferences outside Swansea.
MA by Research degrees typically last from one year (full-time study) to two years (part-time study). Some students choose to ‘upgrade’ at the end of their first academic year to an MPhil or PhD. This can be permitted on the recommendation of the two supervisors. If they do upgrade their year on the MA counts towards the MPhil or PhD.
Our expertise in Modern Languages ranges from the French medieval lyric and Enlightenment drama, women's writing and feminism; travel; the conflicted memories of World War Two; film and literature about the Baader-Meinhof Group; and the works of the Nobel Laureates, Elias Canetti, Jean Cocteau, Günter Grass, Mario Vargas Llosa, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and Herta Müller. Our dynamic research environment which has won attention and funding from outside bodies such as the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), the Modern Humanities Research Association, the Wellcome Trust and the EU.
We support the following research centres all of which also house postgraduate research students:
Contemporary German Culture (http://www.swansea.ac.uk/riah/researchgroups/ccgc);
Gender in Culture and Society (GENCAS, http://www.swansea.ac.uk/gencas);
The Comparative Study of the Americas (CECSAM, http://www.swansea.ac.uk/riah/researchgroups/cecsam);
Medieval and Early Modern Research (MEMO, http://www.swansea.ac.uk/riah/researchgroups/memo).
For further information on research specialisms and supervisory interests of our staff visit: http://www/swansea.ac.uk/artsandhumanities/about-us/.
The programme offers an introduction to the fascinating and fast-changing dimensions of China today. It provides a broad grounding in Chinese society, economy, business, politics and culture. There is the flexibility to combine cultural and political studies with introductory or more advanced modules in Mandarin.
You will take two core and four optional courses, and submit a dissertation. The dissertation is your opportunity to explore your own specialist interest in China and to demonstrate the research and writing skills you have developed during the programme.
You can get more information about the content of the courses by searching the course catalogue.
This programme is ideal for anyone interested in pursuing a career involving China, whether in the business world, public services, the arts and media or as preparation for further academic study through PhD study. Our alumni have also gone on to successful careers as public affairs consultants, advertising and PR managers, as well as in secondary school education and the charity sector. The programme has helped graduates develop international perspective, critical thinking and writing skills, and also smoothed the path to living and working in the Far East.
