Chinese Studies

Chinese Studies is the academic engagement with China's language, literature, culture and history, with the linguistic competence to access Chinese sources directly at its core. China is home to one of the world's oldest and most continuous civilisations, with a literary and intellectual tradition of extraordinary depth, and it is now also the world's second largest economy and a geopolitical actor of the first importance. Understanding China in anything other than superficial terms requires genuine command of the Mandarin language, and a degree in Chinese Studies builds that linguistic foundation while engaging with the cultural, historical and contemporary contexts that give the language its meaning.

At the University of Manchester, this four-year full-time degree places language learning at the centre throughout. You will develop the core linguistic skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking in Mandarin Chinese, working toward an advanced level of competence that enables you to engage with literature, film, journalism and professional contexts in the language. Alongside language, you will study Chinese culture, history, politics and society, engaging with both classical and contemporary materials.

The programme includes a sandwich year with work placement opportunities, giving you the chance to spend an extended period in a professional or educational environment, deepening your language skills and professional experience. Typical entry is around 152 UCAS tariff points.

Graduates in Chinese Studies are sought by a wide range of employers, including international business, financial services, diplomatic services, journalism, translation and interpreting, the civil service, cultural organisations and international NGOs. The combination of language fluency and cultural understanding is genuinely rare and highly valued in sectors that operate across the Sino-British or broader Asia-Pacific interface. Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in Chinese studies, translation, area studies, international relations or business.