BA (Hons) Chinese Studies (with Year Abroad)

Immerse yourself in Chinese language and culture. Develop your Chinese language skills and spend a year in China.,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 hereYou 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.Course structureYear 1 modulesCore modules: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.Chinese Language 1B which will help you develop elementary level skills in Chinese speaking, listening, reading and writing.Optional modules: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 Year 2 modulesCore modules: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: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 Year 3 modulesCore modules:Study abroad The third year is spent in China studying the language full-time at a Chinese university.Year 4 modulesCore modules: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.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 studyresearch, and are aware of the cultural imperatives for operating in such an environment.Chinese Historical and Literary Texts develops higher level reading and translating skills based on literary and historical texts in Chinese.

You are not expected to have any previous knowledge of Chinese, but if you do have an A level (or equivalent) in Chinese, then you can enter the Advanced stream from Year 1.A level offer – AAB. Grade A in History is required, if taking the History option.BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma/OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma – DDD. Grade A in History is required, if taking the History option.IB Diploma score – 36 with 665 in higher level subjects. Please see above for subject requirements.