Chinese Studies MLitt
The Chinese Studies research Master's contains taught and research elements. It is well suited as preparation for PhD research.
You are currently viewing course information for entry year:
Start date(s):
- September 2025
Overview
Join us for your MLitt in Chinese Studies and benefit from expert supervision covering a diverse range of disciplines. Combine your interests and our expertise to achieve your research objectives.
You’ll master advanced research skills through taught and research elements of the programme. These valuable skills can lead to a future PhD or a career in academia and related professions.
We offer expert supervision in the following research areas of Chinese studies:
- Ethnicity, identity, Islam and Han settler colonialism, with a focus on Xinjiang, China (Dr Jo Smith Finley)
- Film, literature, media and representation (Prof Yu)
- Gender studies (Dr Smith Finley, Prof Yu)
Find out more about our Modern Languages research staff
You'll also benefit from the School's strong links with the Faculty Asian Research Group.
Find out more about the Faculty Asian Research Group
Important information
We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
What you'll learn
Taught modules aim to extend your knowledge and skills beyond undergraduate-level and help to develop your research skills.
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
Compulsory Modules | Credits |
---|---|
Modern Languages MLitt Research Assignments | 80 |
Modern Languages Dissertation | 80 |
Optional Modules | Credits |
---|---|
Information Skills | 10 |
Qualitative Methodology in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences | 20 |
The Making and Unmaking of Knowledge | 10 |
How you'll learn
This Chinese Studies MLitt course is delivered by the School of Modern Languages, with the possibility of joint supervision with other schools. You'll mainly be based in Newcastle’s city-centre campus. Attendance is flexible and agreed between you and your supervisors depending on the requirements of the research project.
Full-time students are expected to undertake 40 hours of work per week with an annual holiday entitlement of 35 days (including statutory and bank holidays). Part-time study requires a commitment of at least 20 hours per week.
Study consists mainly of tutorials and independent learning supported by research training. Supervisors will advise applicants on how to develop their research proposals.
The Chinese Studies MLitt includes a formal research training component where you develop research skills and methodologies (20 credits).
Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:
- Dissertation
- Essay
As part of the Chinese Studies MLitt, you will also complete a portfolio of essays. These will be chosen in consultation with your supervisors according to your interests and experience (80 credits). You will then undertake a dissertation of 16,000–18,000 words consisting of a sustained piece of original research (80 credits).
You will normally work on a research project which comprises two to four research assignments and a longer dissertation. Your supervisor will be an expert in your chosen field. If necessary, you will receive support from an experienced research supervisor.
Our mission is to help you:
- stay healthy, positive and feeling well
- overcome any challenges you may face during your degree – academic or personal
- get the most out of your postgraduate research experience
- carry out admin and activities essential to progressing through your degree
- understand postgraduate research processes, standards and rules
We can offer you tailored wellbeing support, courses and activities.
You can also access a broad range of workshops covering:
- research and professional skills
- careers support
- wellbeing
- health and safety
- public engagement
- academic development
Your future
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
You'll have access to a dedicated quiet study space, as well as use of a common room with kitchen facilities.
The School also houses the Language Resource Centre. It has an extensive range of language learning facilities and resources, including:
- access to 24 satellite television channels from around the world
- listen and record facilities for speaking practice
- interactive language learning software
- an international film collection of over 800 titles
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)
Home fees for research degree students
For 2024-25 entry, we have aligned our standard Home research fees with those set by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The standard fee was confirmed in Spring 2024 by UKRI.
For 2025-26 entry, we will be aligning our standard Home research fees with those set by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The standard fee will be confirmed in Spring 2025 by UKRI.
As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.
Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.
EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.
If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.
Scholarships
We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information.
What you're paying for
Tuition fees include the costs of:
- matriculation
- registration
- tuition (or supervision)
- library access
- examination
- re-examination
- graduation
Find out more about:
If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.
You can check this in the How to apply section.
If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.
For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.
Search for funding
Find funding available for your course
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
Admissions policy
This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.
University Admissions Policy and related policies and procedures
Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course
How to apply
Using the application portal
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You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.
If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.
Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.
Apply Online
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Get in touch
Questions about this course?
If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:
School of Modern Languages
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 5867
Email: modlang.pgadmin@ncl.ac.uk
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