History of Art and Chinese Studies

You will study the history of art and Chinese studies in equal depth with this joint honours programme.

Our degree takes advantage of the University of Edinburgh's long-standing tradition of studying Asian literary and visual culture, and our wider expertise in art from different periods and places.

On this programme, you will also learn modern standard Chinese to an advanced level. We are the only university in the UK to offer three different language entry levels to our Chinese degree programmes:

1. Ab initio - for complete beginners with no prior knowledge of the Chinese language
2. Upper beginner
3. Intermediate

Our programme is not for native speakers. However, as well as learners with varying levels of prior experience of studying Chinese, we also welcome heritage language learners.

The programme benefits from a growing global market and interest in Asian art. It also takes in a full survey of art from around the world, from around the year 500 to the present.

On this programme, you will:

• learn how, and for whom, works of art were made, and why

• understand the place of artworks within visual and material culture more broadly

• explore the meanings of works of art and visual culture and the ways they continue to be interpreted

You will spend Year 3 at a university in mainland China or Taiwan. This will provide you with an immersive language experience and enable you to visit Asian artworks and cultural sites first-hand.

Programme benefits

• You will work alongside leading academics, many of whom are involved in curating at major international art institutions.

• Our range of teaching specialisms is one of the broadest in the UK, including Asian, Islamic, Mesoamerican, and European premodern and contemporary art, and the global art market.

• We are the only university in Scotland to offer single and joint honours undergraduate honours programmes in Chinese with three language entry levels.

• You will also have access to Edinburgh's renowned art galleries and museums, specialist archives, and cultural events.

• A year in mainland China or Taiwan is built into your four-year programme - no additional year necessary.