Course summary

In this fascinating and varied five-year degree, you’ll learn two major world languages and deepen your understanding of the modern world by exploring the histories and cultures of the nations that speak them. You’ll spend one year in China and another in a Russian-speaking country, improving your language skills and gaining first-hand experience of these cultures and societies to enrich your understanding of these amazing countries. The dominant cultural, political and economic influence in East Asia for over two millennia, China today constitutes almost a fifth of the global economy, and is a major centre for technological, business and cultural innovation. Chinese at Leeds is one of the longest running courses in the UK, reflecting the country’s diversity and changes to equip you with a deep understanding of modern China. If you have A-level Russian or equivalent, this degree will give you the opportunity to build on your knowledge. With approximately 170 million native speakers and tens of millions who speak it as a second language, Russian is a lingua franca, not only in the Russian Federation, but also in many parts of Eastern Europe, Central Asia and diasporic communities worldwide. The global response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine will require talented individuals able to demonstrate both linguistic and intercultural skills. Our course will equip you with the ability to navigate this challenging environment with confidence. The School of Languages, Cultures and Societies at Leeds is an exciting place for your undergraduate experience. Our diverse international community of students and staff, student-led societies and outstanding pastoral support creates a friendly and dynamic atmosphere for all our students.