Chinese
Study Chinese as part of your Combined Honours degree. Explore Chinese culture and a combination of practical language study and communication skills.
About the programme
UCAS Code: BA Combined Honours (Y001)
We adopt a largely sociological and anthropological approach to understanding East Asian cultures, rather than seeking an understanding through the study of literature.
As a Combined Honours student, you'll spend one third of your time on Chinese language study.
Stage overview
- In Stage 1, there are introductory modules in Chinese. The emphasis here is on communication skills and no prior knowledge of Chinese is needed.
- At Stages 2 and 3, you build on your language skills with a choice of modules on Chinese culture and society.
- In Stage 3, you can choose to write a dissertation on an approved topic relating to the culture of China.
In your optional Intercalating Year you will spend the year abroad in China, which gives you the opportunity to practise the language skills you have developed. The year abroad is spent studying at a university with which we have links.
This is an outstanding opportunity to practise your language skills and experience first-hand the culture of China.
Chinese is offered by the School of Modern Languages.
You may also be interested in the Modern Languages Society or the cultural activities and educational talks from the Anglo-Chinese Society
Pre-requisites
Chinese can be studied from Level A (both true beginners and post-GCSE), or from Level B (post A-level or equivalent).
A maximum of two language subjects can be taken together in Combined Honours - and only one of these can be at beginners’ level.
It's not possible to study two language subjects on their own, you will need to select a third non-language subject.
Chinese and Japanese cannot be taken together.
Stage 1
Select the module code for specific module information including the module summary and aims, knowledge and skills you'll gain, and the module leader.
You will follow either Level A (if you are a beginner) or Level B (if you have an A Level).
Level A
Compulsory modules
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHN1065 | Level A (HE Entry Level) Chinese I | 20 | 1 |
| CHN1066 | Level A (HE Entry Level) Chinese II (Pre-requisite CHN1065) | 20 | 2 |
Optional module
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHN1005 | Introduction to Chinese Culture and Society | 20 | 2 |
Level B
Compulsory module
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHN2013 | Level B (HE Intermediate) Chinese I (Pre-requisite: A-level Chinese) | 20 | 1 |
| CHN2014 | Level B (HE Intermediate) Chinese II (Pre-requisite: CHN2013) | 20 | 2 |
Optional module
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHN1005 | Introduction to Chinese Culture and Soceity | 20 | 2 |
All students taking at least one language, regardless of level, must take the following module:
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| SML1009 | Academic Study and Research Skills | 0 | 1&2 |
Stage 2
Students study 40, 60 or 80 credits from the lists below at Stage 2.
You will follow either Level B or Level C.
Select the module code for specific module information including the module summary and aims, knowledge and skills you'll gain, and the module leader.
Level B
Compulsory module
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHN2013 | Level B (HE Intermediate) Chinese I (Pre-requisite: CHN1066) | 20 | 1 |
| CHN2014 | Level B (HE Intermediate) Chinese II (Pre-requisite: CHN2013) | 20 | 2 |
Optional modules
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHN2004 | Contemporary Chinese Society: Issues and Challenges | 20 | 2 |
| SML2011 | Cities in East Asian Cinema: Culture, History & Identity | 20 | 1 |
| SML2017* | Korean l (Pre-requisite: students must have achieved a minimum of 60% in CHN1066 in Stage 1) | 20 | 1&2 |
*Students can only take ONE of GER2031: Dutch I or SML2017: Korean I
Level C
Compulsory module
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHN4013 | Level C (HE Advanced) Chinese I (Pre-requisite: CHN2014) | 20 | 1 |
| CHN4014 | Level C (HE Advanced) Chinese II (Pre-requisite: CHN4013) | 20 | 2 |
Optional modules
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHN2004 | Contemporary Chinese Society: Issues and Challenges | 20 | 2 |
| SML2011 | Cities in East Asian Cinema: Culture, History & Identity | 20 | 1 |
| SML2016** | Reading in Translation (Co-requisite: students must be studying CHN2004 or SML2011 as well) | 20 | 1 |
| SML2017* | Korean l (Pre-requisite: students must have achieved a minimum of 60% in CHN2010 in Stage 1) | 20 | 1&2 |
*Students can only take ONE of GER2031: Dutch I, SML2014: Italian Language and Culture I, SML2017: Korean I and SPA2021: Catalan I. These modules are for Stage 2 only.
**Students can only take ONE of SML2016: Reading in Translation or SML2017: Korean I.
All students must take the following module:
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| SML2099 | Year Abroad Preparation | 0 | 1&2 |
Intercalating Year
All students taking a language have the option to spend one semester or an entire academic year abroad in a country where their chosen language is spoken between Stages 2 and 3; this shall be their Intercalating Year. While abroad they shall take the following modules (dependent on choice of placement):
Compulsory module:
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| SML3004 | Year Abroad Tutor Posts | 100 | 1&2 |
| SML3006* | Study Abroad | 20 | 1&2 |
*All students spending at least one semester studying as part of their year abroad must take SML3006.
Find further information about your Intercalating Year Abroad.
Stage 3
Select the module code for specific module information including the module summary and aims, knowledge and skills you'll gain, and the module leader.
You will follow either Level C or Level D. Students study 40, 60 or 80 credits from the lists below at Stage 3.
Students who have transferred to the three year version of the programme and did not take part in the optional intercalating year can drop the language element of the degree and take solely cultural modules. Students who choose to undertake this option will graduate with “East Asian Studies” in their degree programme title rather than “Chinese”.
Level C
Compulsory module
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHN4013 | Level C (HE Advanced) Chinese I (Pre-requisite: CHN2014) | 20 | 1 |
| CHN4014 | Level C (HE Advanced) Chinese II (Pre-requisite: CHN4013) | 20 | 2 |
Optional modules
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHN4011 | Chinese Independent Documentaries: Alternative Archive and Video Activism | 20 | 2 |
| CHN4012 | Historical and Cultural Interpretations of China through classics and newspaper reading | 20 | 1 |
| SML4007* | Korean II (Pre-requisite: SML2017 in Stage 2) | 20 | 1&2 |
| SML4099 | Dissertation/T&l Project (Must be Chinese-based) | 20 | 1&2 |
*Students can only take ONE of GER4004: Dutch II or SML4007: Korean II.
Level D
Compulsory module
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHN4062 | Level D (HE Further Advanced) Chinese I (Pre-requisite: CHN4014) | 20 | 1 |
| CHN4063 | Level D (HE Further Advanced) Chinese II (Pre-requisite: CHN4062) | 20 | 2 |
Optional modules
| Module Code | Module Title | Credit Value | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHN4011 | Chinese Independent Documentaries: Alternative Archive and Video Activism | 20 | 2 |
| CHN4012 | Historical and Cultural Interpretations of China through Classics and newspaper reading | 20 | 2 |
| SML4007* | Korean II (Pre-requisite: SML2017 in Stage 2) | 20 | 1&2 |
| SML4008** | Memory and Storytelling Across Borders (Co-requisite: students must be studying CHN4011 or CHN4012 as well) | 20 | 1 |
| SML4099 | Dissertation/T&l Project (Must be Chinese-based) | 20 | 1&2 |
*Students can only take ONE of GER4004: Dutch II, SML4004: Italian Language and Culture II, SML4007: Korean II and SPA4002: Catalan II.
**Students can only take ONE of SML4007: Korean II and SML4008: Memory and Storytelling Across Borders.
Get in touch
If you have any questions about choosing this subject as part of your Combined Honours degree, contact us and we'll be more than happy to help.
Subject adviser
Dr Patricia Oliart - School of Modern Languages
Professor Guy Austin - School of Modern Languages