BA Chinese Studies

Modern_Languages

Undergraduate

BA Chinese Studies

Immerse yourself in the language and culture of China. And have the unforgettable experience of living there for a year.​

Key information

Study mode

Full-time

Course length

4 years

Typical offer

112 points

A Level grades: BBC

UCAS code

T100

Choose an option

Start date

Course overview

Mandarin Chinese is by far the most commonly spoken language on Earth. Boost your position in the global employment market by exploring the hugely influential language and culture of this powerful nation.

The knowledge you gain will only increase in value as China continues on its path to becoming the largest economy in the world.

You’ll be able to delve into aspects including history, culture, how we construct national and cultural identities and translation skills.

You’ll spend an incredible year in China, getting to know its people, language and culture first-hand. There aren’t many courses that give you the chance to travel to China to live and either study or work among its people. As well as being a once-in-a-lifetime experience, it’s an incredible opportunity to improve both your language skills and your employment prospects.

Studying at one of our partner universities, we’ll support you throughout your stay, through a dedicated tutor who’ll stay in contact over the whole year.

On this degree, you can also choose to gain an extra qualification in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). That opens the door to worldwide travelling and work after graduation.

Learn more about your course in our subject sessions

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Modern Languages

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Six reasons to study Chinese Studies at Hull

  1. Spend a life-changing year in China
  2. Support from a dedicated tutor during your trip
  3. 92% graduate employability rating*
  4. Benefit from innovative language software
  5. Opt to gain a TESOL teaching qualification†
  6. Buddy system pairs you with a native speaker

What you'll study

The course consists of 120 credits per year. Most modules are 20 credits, meaning you’ll study six modules each year. Some longer modules, such as a dissertation, are worth more (e.g. 40 credits). In these cases, you’ll study fewer modules - but the number of credits will always add up to 120.

First year modules

You’ll undertake two core language modules at either beginners/improvers or advanced level.

  • Compulsory

    Introduction to East Asian Popular Culture

    How are East Asian societies connected by manga, cinema and pop music? Understand popular culture by examining issues like fandom, gender and censorship.

    Ancient Chinese History and Culture: From Prehistory to Early Empire

    What do the Great Wall and the Terracotta Army have in common? Explore the diversity of arts and identities and examine the rise and decline of Chinese dynasties. 

    Chinese Art: Forms and Aesthetics

    Study calligraphy, painting, architecture, sculpture, music, dance and theatre, and their social and cultural contexts from different periods in Chinese history.

    Chinese Language 1

    Each year, you'll gain real-world language skills by taking two core Chinese language modules at either beginners and improvers or advanced level.

    Chinese Language 2

    Working with native speakers and language experts, you'll already be able to look back and see a steady climb as you gain in confidence and proficiency. 

    Passport Languages

    Learn a new foreign language or improve your existing language. Options include French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese and Russian.

Second year modules

  • Compulsory

    Chinese Language 3

    Take part in practice, group work, grammar revision, and develop core skills such as translation. Reach a professionally recognised standard, no matter at what level you began. 

    Chinese Language 4

    Practice continues in each language area with intensified emphasis on idiomatic, colloquial and formal registers in different social and cultural contexts. 

    Ideas and Identities in China: From Early Empire to Modern Republic

    Explore key ideas in Chinese culture, such as Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism, and examine how these feed into and complicate the notion of the “Chinese Dream”.

    Cinematic Cities and Societies in China: Migration, Place and Belonging

    Use cinema, art and literature to discover how and why contemporary Chinese cities and their societies are interpreted and imagined and engage with them in new, unexpected ways.

    Chinese Literature: Classic, Modern and Contemporary

    Enhance your ability to read and appreciate Chinese literature in its different forms, ranging from poetry to fiction. You will bridge the gap between ancient Chinese civilisation and contemporary Chinese culture, through a study of a variety of texts.

  • Optional

    Trinity CertTESOL 1

    An introduction to basic language teaching skills, with a focus on English as a foreign language. This module is especially relevant if you plan to spend your year abroad as a teaching assistant.

    Understanding China

    This module examines the economic transformations of China in a historical, cultural and political context. You'll evaluate the major issues and challenges facing the nation.

    Passport Languages

    Learn a new foreign language or improve your existing language. Options include French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese and Russian.

Year abroad modules

You'll spend your third year studying at one of our partner universities in China. It gives you a fantastic opportunity to experience Chinese culture and society while improving your language skills.

Final year modules

  • Compulsory

    Chinese Language 5

    Consolidate structures and grammar, as well as the serious development of skills in areas like translation, interpreting, textual exegesis or subtitling.

    Chinese Language 6

    Building on all your work and experience to date, we’ll help to set you on your way to fluent professional and social use of Chinese and becoming a career-ready global citizen. 

    Gender and Sexuality in Chinese Cinema and Literature

    Develop an insight into the shifting gender roles in Chinese societies, and engage with the discussion of gender theories through the debate of how gender and sexuality is constructed in Chinese literature and cinema.

    English-Chinese Translation: Theory and Practice

    Build an awareness of the considerations when translating between English and Chinese for a wider readership, such as employers, customers, tourists and anyone with an interest in China and Chinese culture.

  • Optional

    Translating Text Types

    You’ll explore the translation of both technical and creative texts, looking at how you can meet your readers’ needs and expectations.

    Trinity CertTESOL 2

    On the final stage of the CertTESOL qualification, you’ll develop and extend core professional skills and competencies – with further teaching practice and development.

    Confucian Philosophy

    This module examines the teachings of Confucius on (among other things) education, society, politics and governance, conduct and ethics or the ideal life.

    Languages and Cultures Dissertation

    Hone your research, critical, analytical, writing, and independent study skills by working on a modern languages topic related to your programme of study to produce a final dissertation.

    Passport Languages

    Learn a new foreign language or improve your existing language. Options include French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese and Russian.

All modules are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.

How you'll study

Throughout your degree, you’re expected to study for 1,200 hours per year. That’s based on 200 hours per 20 credit module. And it includes scheduled hours, time spent on placement and independent study. How this time’s divided among each of these varies each year and depends on the course and modules you study.

Overall workload

264 hours

Scheduled study Scheduled hours typically include lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, and supervised laboratory and studio sessions.

936 hours

Independent study Independent study is the time outside your scheduled timetable, where you’ll be expected to study independently.

Indicative assessment proportions

35%
24%
41%
  • Examination

    Written assessment typically includes exams and multiple choice tests.

  • Practical

    Practical is an assessment of your skills and competencies. This could include presentations, school experience, work experience or laboratory work.

  • Coursework

    Coursework typically includes essays, written assignments, dissertations, research projects or producing a portfolio of your work.

Overall workload

240 hours

Scheduled study Scheduled hours typically include lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, and supervised laboratory and studio sessions.

960 hours

Independent study Independent study is the time outside your scheduled timetable, where you’ll be expected to study independently.

Indicative assessment proportions

15%
27%
58%
  • Examination

    Written assessment typically includes exams and multiple choice tests.

  • Practical

    Practical is an assessment of your skills and competencies. This could include presentations, school experience, work experience or laboratory work.

  • Coursework

    Coursework typically includes essays, written assignments, dissertations, research projects or producing a portfolio of your work.

Overall workload

1,200 hours

Placement Placement hours typically include time spent on a work placement, studying abroad, or field trips.

Indicative assessment proportions

100%
  • Coursework

    Coursework typically includes essays, written assignments, dissertations, research projects or producing a portfolio of your work.

Overall workload

240 hours

Scheduled study Scheduled hours typically include lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, and supervised laboratory and studio sessions.

960 hours

Independent study Independent study is the time outside your scheduled timetable, where you’ll be expected to study independently.

Indicative assessment proportions

16%
24%
60%
  • Examination

    Written assessment typically includes exams and multiple choice tests.

  • Practical

    Practical is an assessment of your skills and competencies. This could include presentations, school experience, work experience or laboratory work.

  • Coursework

    Coursework typically includes essays, written assignments, dissertations, research projects or producing a portfolio of your work.

Chloe Hammond Modern Languages and Cultures

"Out of all of the universities I looked at, none of them had anything that compared to the facilities that Hull offered."

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Year abroad

You'll immerse yourself in Chinese culture and put your language skills to the test by spending an unforgettable year living in China.

Confucius Institute

More than a language

You won't just learn how to speak Chinese - our modules will help you get to grips with all aspects of Chinese life - from politics and history to pop culture.

Entry requirements

Typical offer

  • A level grades BBC

  • BTEC grades DMM

  • Points required 112

Work out your estimated points

Don't meet our requirements?

We offer a Foundation Year to boost your skills and knowledge – it’s a great way to make your way into higher education.

Switch to the foundation year

Points can be from any qualifications on the UCAS tariff, but must include at least 80 points from

  • A levels
  • BTEC Subsidiary Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma
  • OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma
  • CACHE Diploma or Extended Diploma
  • Irish Leaving Certificate
  • Scottish Highers
  • Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma
  • or a combination of appropriate Level 3 qualifications 

Alternative qualifications 

  • IB Diploma: 28 points.
  • Access to HE Diploma: pass with minimum of 45 credits at merit.

Worried you don’t quite meet our entry requirements?

We consider experience and qualifications from the UK and worldwide which may not exactly match the combinations above.

But it’s not just about the grades – we’ll look at your whole application. We want to know what makes you tick, and about your previous experience, so make sure that you complete your personal statement.

If you have any questions, our admissions team will be happy to help.

Don't meet our requirements?

We offer a Foundation Year to boost your skills and knowledge – it’s a great way to make your way into higher education.

Switch to the foundation year

If you require a Tier 4 student visa to study or if your first language is not English you will be required to provide acceptable evidence of your English language proficiency level.

This course requires academic IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each skill. See other English language proficiency qualifications accepted by this University.

If your English currently does not reach the University's required standard for this programme, you may be interested in one of our English language courses.

Visit your country page to find out more about our entry requirements.

Our teaching staff

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Take a tour of the facilities

Chinese Studies students enjoy 24/7 access to the recently-restored Brynmor Jones Library and its language learning facilities.

Explore the virtual tour

Fees and funding

UK

£9,250 per year*

EU/International

£14,800 per year

*The amount you pay may increase each year, in line with inflation - but capped to the Retail Price Index (RPI).

UK students can take out a tuition fee loan to cover the cost of their course and a maintenance loan of up to £9,488 to cover living costs.

Substantial discounts are available for International students.  

More information on fees can be found in the Money section of our website.

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme (including registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examination).

There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make. The list below has some examples, and any extra costs will vary.

  • Books (you’ll have access to books from your module reading lists in the library, but you may want to buy your own copies
  • Optional field trips
  • Study abroad (including travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
  • Placement costs (including travel costs and accommodation)
  • Student visas (international students)
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PC’s on campus, but you may want to buy your own)
  • Printing and photocopying
  • Professional-body membership
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel and food – to name just a few. 

An affordable city for students

From bills, to meals, to pints – you’ll find that your money goes a lot further in Hull.

Your future prospects

  • Interpreter
  • Secondary school teacher
  • Translator
  • Journalist
  • Diplomatic service officer
  • Private tutor

Mandarin Chinese is the most commonly spoken language in the world. Your skills will leave you equipped for a range of career options in almost any sector in which communication plays an important part. Potential career paths include marketing, diplomacy and business.

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Ready to apply?

You can apply for this course through UCAS. As well as providing your academic qualifications, you’ll be able to showcase your skills, qualities and passion for the subject.

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This. Is. Hull.

A place where we stand up to kings, do deals with the world and take a wrecking ball to the slave trade. A place where culture stands out and the phone boxes are a different colour. A place where we're free-thinking, independent and proud of it.

*Percentage of modern languages students in work or further study within six months of graduating: UK domicile full-time first degree leavers; Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education survey for the academic year 2016/17, published by HESA 2018

†A qualification in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) opens the door to travel and employment after graduation