Course summary

China shapes the world we live in. This course develops both your language skills and your understanding of how China works. The knowledge and skills you'll acquire will help you explore global changes and challenges from new angles. These include the shifting attitudes to community, equality and inclusion; the contact between international, national and grassroots networks in business and politics; and the dialogue between traditional and modern, Chinese and global cultures. This understanding is supported by your intensive language learning. Most students start from scratch, though we're always happy to discuss options if you've already studied Chinese. You’ll work with Chinese characters from your first day. By the time you graduate, you will be able to read, write and speak in Chinese about China today as it appears in the news media, academic journals, government publications, social media, films and podcasts. Your third year will be spent at one of our partner universities in mainland China or Taiwan. It's a terrific opportunity to apply and build your language skills and to see a changing society first hand. In your final year, back in Sheffield you'll refine your advanced language knowledge and deepen your understanding of China through research-led modules and a dissertation built around your interests.