Chinese

Mandarin Chinese is the world's second most widely spoken language. Its associated cultures have helped shape the contemporary world in many ways. Edinburgh is the only university in Scotland to offer an undergraduate single honours MA programme in Chinese, teaching both language and culture.

We are 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.

Skills development

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

As well as learning to read both simplified and traditional form characters, you will also learn to read classical Chinese. This makes our programme unique.

As you progress, you will learn Chinese-English and English-Chinese translation skills.

From the very start of the programme, you will also gain the core academic and research skills to develop your critical thinking in Chinese studies. Our courses explore:

• history

• literature

• culture

• politics

• international relations

As well as mainland China, we consider the significance of Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and their diasporas from a range of perspectives.

By your final year, you will have gained the skills to produce an independent research project.

Excellent resources in Edinburgh and abroad

As a world-leading festival and capital city, Edinburgh is a fantastic place for language learning.

The University's Chinese and East Asian Studies Collection contains more than 50,000 resources, both print and digital, including over 600 Chinese films.

Through Edinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA), there are opportunities to pair up with native Chinese speakers for language exchange and practice, and to join over 300 clubs and societies.

You will spend Year 3 at a university in mainland China or Taiwan. Through this immersive experience, you will further enhance your skills in Chinese and your understanding of Chinese language and culture in their particular context.

Programme benefits

• Take the only programme of its kind in Scotland.

• Choose from three entry levels in Modern Standard Chinese.

• Build up to fluency in the language and specialise in different aspects of Chinese studies as you move through your degree.

• Study abroad for the first of your honours years - Year 3.

• Explore fantastic libraries, collections and galleries at the University and in the city.

• Join societies, attend events, and gain the skills and confidence for life after university.

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 modern Standard Chinese and in Chinese Studies.

In addition to your core courses, you will broaden your education and skill set by choosing option courses from a range of disciplines. This may enable you to change or widen your focus by, for example, moving onto a joint honours programme.

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 in Chinese Studies. You will also further develop your Chinese language and translation skills and write a dissertation.