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Masters degrees in Chinese Society & Culture Studies examine the traditions, activities and societal and cultural institutions originating from, or associated with, China.
Related subjects include Chinese Studies and Contemporary Chinese Studies. Entry requirements normally include an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject such as Cultural Studies or Languages and Literature.
This programme is based at the University’s Scottish Centre for Chinese Studies, which has an international reputation for research excellence in modern Chinese literature, media and mass culture.
It provides you with the opportunity to develop your knowledge and understanding of cultural issues of modern China, and allows you to develop analytical skills as you apply cultural and literary theories to the context of modern China.
You will be trained in the study of Chinese texts, and learn to assess them in the context of current academic discourse in Chinese studies, leading to an understanding of changing perceptions of key issues in Chinese cultural studies.
Over two semesters, you will take compulsory and option courses, plus research skills courses. You will then complete an independently researched dissertation.
Compulsory course:
Option courses may include:
You will be thoroughly trained in studying modern Chinese texts and in assessing them in the context of current academic discourse in Chinese Studies. You will be able to understand changing perceptions of key issues in Chinese cultural studies and reflect critically on your own academic research.
You will gain a foundation on which you may choose to pursue doctoral studies, potentially leading to an academic career. Your skills will also be suited to a career in a number of fields that are concerned with Chinese issues.
Alternatively, you may choose to apply the transferable skills you gain in project management, research and communication to an unrelated career.
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.
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.
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.
This one-year programme is intended for graduates of Chinese Studies programmes and native Chinese speakers who wish to gain further understanding and develop expertise in a range of subjects concerned with Chinese health and wellbeing and the impact of China, historically and in the present day, on health around the world.
This MA offers an interdisciplinary approach to health in China including history of medicine in China, population studies, the built and natural environment, climate change, law and medical ethics, public health and policymaking. Intensive training in academic English and translation for publication online is provided.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of one core module (15 credits), direct reading and translation modules (60 credits), dissertation (60 credits) and three options or elective modules (45 credits).
Core modules
Optional modules
NB: Not all options will be available every year.
Dissertation/report
All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of up to 12,000 words.
Teaching and learning
The programme is taught by specialists in the field and is delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, presentations, workshops and direct reading. Assessment is through examination, presentations, essays and the dissertation.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: Chinese Health and Humanity MA
This programme aims to train the next generation of professionals in the interdisciplinary approaches and skills necessary for understanding and improving population and individual health in China and internationally. It will be invaluable for all those intending to work in professions with an interest in Chinese health including: health systems and reform, the health environment, integrated health, in NGOs and multilateral organisations as policymakers, administrators, and workers in the field. It will also prepare students to work in art and media where Chinese health issues are concerned.
Recent career destinations for this degree
Employability
Graduates from the MA will be well prepared to take advantage of job opportunities that are also available to graduates from the UCL Institute for Global Health and UCL Anthropology, but with the added advantage of expertise in China: health administration policy and consultancy, health law, in bilateral and multiliteral organisations, NGOs, built and natural environment, climate change, health research in China and the UK. The programme also aims to create new expertise in China's health culture that will open up job opportunities as China begins a rapid programme of developing private healthcare partnerships.
Careers data is taken from the ‘Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education’ survey undertaken by HESA looking at the destinations of UK and EU students in the 2013–2015 graduating cohorts six months after graduation.
UCL History enjoys an outstanding international reputation for its research and teaching.
The department is strongly committed to the intellectual development of all our students; if you come to UCL, you will receive individual supervision from leading academics.
Located in Bloomsbury, UCL History is just a few minutes' walk away from the exceptional resources of the British Library, the British Museum and the research institutes of the University of London, including the Warburg and the Institute of Historical Research.
The Research Excellence Framework, or REF, is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. The 2014 REF was carried out by the UK's higher education funding bodies, and the results used to allocate research funding from 2015/16.
The following REF score was awarded to the department: History
82% rated 4* (‘world-leading’) or 3* (‘internationally excellent’)
Learn more about the scope of UCL's research, and browse case studies, on our Research Impact website.
The MSc in Business, Economy and Society of Contemporary China is an innovative one-year full-time taught programme producing highly skilled graduates best placed to succeed in one of the world’s most dynamic, vibrant and rewarding countries. It has been created to meet the demand from industry and business for graduates who have in-depth knowledge of contemporary China.
The programme is open to both international students and those from the People’s Republic of China and will supply you with the tools you need to develop a rewarding career in a country poised to become the world's biggest economy.
Business decision making is a highly case sensitive process and requires a profound understanding of the environments in which a decision is taken. A successful business education not only teaches students the theories, but also teaches them where to apply them and in what circumstances.
A major advantage of this programme it that it provides total immersion in China while studying in English to the same rigorous high standards as The University of Nottingham in the UK.
The programme will develop students' understanding of the economy, business and work environment of contemporary China; give students first-hand experience of living in China; equip students with the theoretical and methodological skills to carry out successful business and management studies in contemporary China and produce graduates equipped with the intellectual and transferable skills to satisfy their career aspirations and provide a foundation for life-long learning.
You can choose to study Mandarin as optional modules, starting at the appropriate level for you – from beginner to advanced – depending on your prior study of the language. You will use what you have learned in a Chinese language and cultural setting.
Your study at Nottingham’s Ningbo China campus will enrich your cultural and linguistic experience and allow you to explore a range of themes and issues relevant for understanding contemporary China.
The module information for 17/18 session is subject to change.
The programme will be offered full time over a period of 12 months with students studying 120 taught credits in relevant modules. Students will also have the choice of a 60 credit in-depth study of a chosen topic.
This course is administered by the School of International Studies, but students also take one core module from Nottingham University Business School China (NUBS), and are encouraged to take Mandarin from the Language Centre.
Compulsory modules
Optional Group 1
Students must take 10-30 credits from this group:
Optional Group 2
Subject to the approval of the offering school, students may take a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 30 credits offered by other schools including the Language Centre to bring the total to 180. For international students whose first language is not mandarin Chinese, they can choose to take Mandarin modules. The level will be decided at registration.
Detailed module information can be found on the Online Module Catalogue, please search by module code or title.
This course offers comprehensive training addressing both international political issues and media trends in East Asia.
You will learn about major international and domestic political trends in the region, while developing a comprehensive knowledge about the role media plays in these developments.
Our graduates hold influential positions in business, government, the arts and academia. Some of them are journalists, television producers, interpreters and translators. Others are city brokers and analysts. They work for organisations such as the BBC World Service, BNP Paribas, British Council, British Museum, Deloitte, HarperCollins, Jaguar Land Rover, Lloyds Banking Group, Nintendo, Siemens, Sony, Toyota and the World Food Programme.
We are one of Europe’s leading centres for the study of China, Japan and Korea. We have links with partner universities in East Asia that support our dynamic research culture. Our academics bring theories, methods and findings from their research to their teaching.
All three of our interdisciplinary research clusters inform what we teach. They are: East Asian Text and Culture; Movements, Economy and Development in East Asia; Power, Cooperation and Competition in East Asia.
The Sheffield Confucius Institute, which was named Global Confucius Institute of the year in 2015, explores Chinese language and culture. The Institute offers many opportunities for students to get involved in its activities which will help enhance their learning and deepen their cultural understanding of China.
You’ll learn how to research and analyse, manage projects, write reports and give effective presentations. You will also have the opportunity to take language modules in Chinese, Japanese or Korean if you wish. Your in-depth knowledge of East Asian countries and your understanding of the region will give you an edge in the careers market.
Our postgrads have their own study space and IT facilities at the Sir Sze-yuen Chung Resource Centre. The University’s libraries have an extensive selection of texts and online resources in Chinese, Japanese and Korean.
You can study a shorter course for a Postgraduate Certificate (four months, 60 credits) or Postgraduate Diploma (nine months, 120 credits). You’ll need 180 credits to get a Masters degree, including 60 credits from your extended project.
Choose from a range of modules which may include:
There are lectures and small-group seminars. You’re assessed on your essays, exams, presentations and an extended project.
The intercultural programme Chinese-European Economics and Business Studies provides students with key insights into major aspects of economic development in China and Europe. The skills taught include analyses of specific aspects of trade relations and financial flows, and an understanding of the social and economic interrelations between these two geo-political regions.
This full-time Master programme comprises three parts:
The Master programme takes two years in total. It begins in mid of September and ends two years later when students present their Master’s Thesis. The programme is divided into four semesters. The first two semesters are spent at Berlin School of Economics and Law. The third semester takes place at the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics in Chengdu, China. The fourth semester includes the writing of the Master’s Thesis. It can be studied in either location.
The master programme is taught entirely in English.
All core courses are given in a seminar style, using a wide range of case studies, presentations and discussions to provide an in-depth review of the material under consideration.
