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Chinese Studies (with Year Abroad) at Durham University - UCAS

Durham University

Degree level: Undergraduate

Chinese Studies (with Year Abroad)

Course options

2025 - 2026
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Durham University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Course summary

This is multidisciplinary degree will develop advanced knowledge and understanding of Chinese language and culture. You will study a core language module in each of your three years spent in Durham. You don’t need to have any previous knowledge of Chinese, but a pathway is available if you already have an A level or equivalent qualification in Chinese. You will also have the chance to choose from a selection of other modules relevant to the study of China from other departments. This includes Anthropology, Education, Government and International Affairs, Economics, and Theology and Religious Studies. In addition, you may choose to take additional language modules, including European languages, Japanese and Korean. You will spend your third year studying the Chinese language at a university in China. This is an amazing opportunity to experience Chinese culture first-hand and to put your language learning into practice and context. In your final year, you will bring together all your learning and experience to write a dissertation on an aspect of Chinese studies. For more information on this course, please see our website.

Modules

Year 1 Core modules: Either Chinese Language 1A (for post-A level entrants) will help to consolidate and extend grammatical knowledge developed for A Level, and enhance communication skills in written and oral Chinese. Or Chinese Language 1B which will help you develop elementary level skills in Chinese speaking, listening, reading and writing. In recent years, optional modules have included: Introduction to Chinese Culture Society and Culture in China under the Ming and Qing Dynasties French Language German Language Italian Language Russian Language International Security, Interdependence and Organisation Introduction to International Relations Spanish Language Gallery 101: Designing an Art Exhibition Year 2 Core modules: Chinese Language 2A or Chinese Language 2B. To build on the Chinese language skills developed in Year 1 in all four competencies: speaking, listening, reading and writing. To prepare linguistically and culturally for the year abroad. In recent years, optional modules have included: Chinese Cinema Modern China’s Transformations Kinship and Religion Politics and Economics Classical Chinese French Language German Language Italian Language Introduction to Anime: Aesthetic, Technology, Seriality Russian Language International Organisations Spanish Language Death, Ritual and Belief Year 3 The third year is spent in China studying the language full-time at a Chinese university. Year 4 Your Dissertation, will give you valuable experience and understanding of self-directed learning and the importance of choosing appropriate methodology when approaching a research project. It will help you to expand your data collection, analysis and presentation skills, and to develop your critical faculties in relation to existing literature on your topic area. Chinese Language 4 builds on the Chinese language skills developed in your year abroad to the point where you are capable of using Chinese as a working language for employment or further study/research, and are aware of the cultural imperatives for operating in such an environment. Chinese Historical and Literary Texts develops higher level reading and translating skills based on literary and historical texts in Chinese. In recent years, optional modules have included: Anthropology, Art, and Experience Anthropological Skills for Climate Change Survival Violence and Memory Power and Governance Mass Media in China Empires and States in Early Modern Asia Special Topic on Pacific Asia Religion and Film Photography in East Asia The Work of Art: Professional Skills and Work Placement in the Visual Arts

Assessment method

Language modules are assessed by a mixture of oral, listening and written examinations. Optional modules are assessed by essays, commentaries, projects and examinations. You will also complete a 12,000-word dissertation in your final year. During your year abroad you will complete a Year Abroad assignment.

How to apply

29Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
T102
Institution code:
D86
Campus name:
Durham City
Campus code:
O

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

Durham has a long and proud history of welcoming students from countries across the globe. https://www.dur.ac.uk/study/international/

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

https://www.dur.ac.uk/study/ug/apply/entry/

English language requirements

Durham University welcomes applications from all students irrespective of background. We encourage the recruitment of academically well-qualified and highly motivated students, who are non-native speakers of English, whose full potential can be realised with a limited amount of English Language training either prior to entry or through pre-sessional and/or in-sessional courses. It is the normal expectation that candidates for admission should be able to demonstrate satisfactory English proficiency before the start of a programme of study, whether via the submission of an appropriate English language qualification or by attendance on an appropriate pre-sessional course. Acceptable evidence and levels required can be viewed by following the link provided.

English language requirements

https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
65%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
100%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Republic of Ireland £9250 Year 1
EU £27500 Year 1
England £9250 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 Year 1
Scotland £9250 Year 1
Wales £9250 Year 1
Channel Islands £9250 Year 1
International £27500 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of full time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government. The tuition fees shown for overseas and EU students are for one complete academic year of full time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees are subject to an annual inflationary increase. In deciding the annual level of increase the University will take into account inflationary pressures on the costs of delivery. Tuition fees will rise annually by up to the higher of 6% or the latest annual percentage increase in the Consumer Prices Index. There may also be additional course costs for things like books (if you want to purchase them), field trips etc.

Sponsorship information

We're committed to supporting the best students irrespective of financial circumstances. https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/scholarships/

Chinese Studies (with Year Abroad) at Durham University - UCAS