Chinese and Linguistics

As the world’s second most widely spoken language, Mandarin Chinese and its associated cultures have helped to shape the contemporary world in many ways.

This joint honours programme gives you the opportunity to learn Modern Standard Chinese and explore Chinese studies while developing your social scientific understanding of language.

Chinese and Linguistics make an excellent joint honours choice by combining the study of:

• a language in its cultural, historical and political context

• the expression and creation of meaning

On our programme, Linguistics options of particular relevance to language students cover:

• sociolinguistics - the relationship between language and society

• variation in the languages of the world

• first and second languages acquisition

• Global Englishes

Chinese

Edinburgh is the only university in the UK to offer three different language entry levels to our Chinese degree programmes:

• ab initio - for complete beginners in the Chinese language

• upper beginner

• intermediate

Our programme is not for native speakers, but we also welcome heritage language learners.

Study with us, and you will develop advanced competency in Modern Standard Chinese. You will gain the skills needed to use the language daily in social and professional settings, focusing on:

• reading

• writing

• speaking

• listening

• translation

You will spend Year 3 using these skills studying in mainland China or Taiwan.

As well as language skills, you will also gain specialist knowledge on mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and associated diasporas in pre-modern, modern and contemporary contexts.

Our courses explore:

• history

• literature

• culture

• politics

• international relations

You can also opt to learn to read Classical Chinese.

Linguistics

Linguistics examines how language works, describing how sounds, words, sentences and conversations combine to express and create meaning.

You will also study different aspects of language, including:

• its uses in everyday life

• how its use varies across society and evolves over time

• how it is mastered by children

As you progress through the programme, you will have the opportunity to plan and test scientific hypotheses about linguistic phenomena using specialist linguistics and phonetics equipment.

How long it takes to complete this degree programme

This programme is studied over 4 years, including a year abroad. This enables us to build choice and flexibility into your studies, giving you time to explore options, find what you like and build your skills.

Your first two years will be your pre-honours years. They will give you a good grounding in the Chinese language and in the study of China and of linguistics. In addition to your core courses, you will broaden your education and skill set by choosing option courses from a range of disciplines. This gives you the chance to build your intercultural awareness in other areas of the arts, humanities, social sciences and beyond.

Your final two years will be your honours years. You will spend Year 3 studying abroad, gaining lived experience of Chinese and East Asian culture. Year 4 will be tailored to your interests in specific topics or approaches to Chinese Studies and linguistics. You will also further develop your Chinese language and translation skills.

Programme benefits

• Take the only programme of its kind in Scotland.

• Study over four years, including one abroad.

• Combine practical language learning with language science.

• Try out different subjects in your first two years.

• Join societies related to what you are studying.

• Delve into fantastic libraries and collections.