BA Chinese
SOAS University of London
Key Information
Campus location
London, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
GBP 9,250 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* full-time fees per academic year: UK £9,250; Overseas £20,350
Introduction
Mode of Attendance: Full-time
The single-subject BA Chinese degree aims to give a broad understanding of Chinese culture through the study of its language, history and literature from the earliest times up to the present.
In Years 3 and 4 students are offered a choice of modules which enables them to weigh their studies towards either the modern or the classical aspect, but it is our philosophy to produce rounded graduates who will have competence in both.
The range of expertise in SOAS, not only in East Asian studies but also with regard to languages and literature of other regions is unique in UK institutions. Along with proven excellence in other disciplines, such as religious studies, anthropology, art and archaeology, and history, this offers students an unparalleled range of options in choosing their second subject of study.
HSBC Undergraduate Awards at SOAS: HSBC and SOAS have partnered together to provide two generous awards, beginning in the academic year 2016-17 for students studying the four-year BA Chinese (Modern & Classical) degree programme.
Gallery
Ideal Students
Who is this programme for?
The programme has flexible entry requirements for students with various levels of Chinese proficiency, from absolute beginners to GCSE and A-level Chinese. The department also offers elective modules in Chinese on various levels for students wishing to obtain or improve Chinese language skills in the context of other degree programmes.
Admissions
Curriculum
Structure
Students take a total of 120 credits each year.
In year 1, students normally take 60 credits of language, 45 credits of culture/history modules and 15 credits of academic writing.
In year 2, students take a further 30 credits of modern language and are introduced to classical and literary Chinese, and further modules of culture/history.
In year 3, for 2020 students will remain at SOAS taking modern and classical Chinese and further culture/history modules. From 2021 students in year 3 will spend the year abroad in Beijing.
In year 4, students take a minimum of 90 credits from the department, which includes a compulsory Independent Study Project.
Year 1
Core Module
This module must be passed in order to proceed to the following year.
- Ch 100: Elementary Chinese
*Lifeboat Option: If a student is struggling with Ch100, they will move to Chinese 1B (155906023) in the 2nd semester & write an extended essay (155901421), then move to the BA East Asian Studies Programme
Compulsory Modules
Students must take the modules below:
- China in Ten Words: Key Concepts in Chinese Studies
- Reading and Writing East Asian Studies
- East Asian Civilizations
Year 2
Core Module
This module must be passed in order to proceed to the following year.
- Ch 200 Intermediate Chinese
Compulsory Modules
Students must take the modules below:
- Contemporary Chinese Society
- East Asian Imperialism
- Classical and Literary Chinese 1
Guided Option
Choose a module from List A (at the relevant FHEQ level for your academic year of study) below to the value of 15 credits
and
Guided Options
Choose modules from List A /List B or Central options (at the relevant FHEQ level for your academic year of study) to the value of 30 credits
Year 3
*Year 3 (from 20/21) Year Abroad: For more information on the year abroad in China, please see the Teaching & Learning tab.
Core Module
This module must be passed in order to progress to the following year of study:
- Ch 300: Intermediate Chinese
Compulsory Module
Students will take the module below:
- Ch 306: Traditional Chinese Language and Literature
Guided Options
Choose modules from List A (at the relevant FHEQ level for your academic year of study) below to the value of 30 credits
and
Choose modules from List A/List B or Central options (at the relevant FHEQ level for your academic year of study) to the value of 30 credits
Year 4
Compulsory Modules
Students will take the following modules:
- Ch 400: Advanced Chinese
- History and Memory in East Asian Cultures
- Independent Study Project in East Asian Studies
Guided Options
Choose modules from List A (at the relevant FHEQ level for your academic year of study) below to the value of 30 credits.
and
Choose modules from List A/List B or Central options (at the relevant FHEQ level for your academic year of study) to the value of 30 credits.
Year 2/Year 3 - List A Guided Option Modules
FHEQ Level 5
- Myths, Legends and Folkways of East Asia
- Gender in East Asian Literature (UG)
- East Asian Cinema (UG)
- Fieldwork methods in language and culture
Year 4 - List A Guided Option Modules
FHEQ Level 6
- Modern Chinese Literary Texts
- Chinese for Business
- Chinese Cultures on Screen and Stage
- New Taiwan Cinema and Beyond
Year 2/Year 4 List B Language Modules
FHEQ Level 5
- Japanese 1 A
- Japanese 1 B
- Japanese 2
- Korean 1 A
- Korean 1 B
- Korean 2
- Tibetan (Modern) 1 A
- Tibetan (Modern) 1 B
FHEQ Level 6
- K200 Intermediate Korean
- Korean 3
- J200: Intermediate Japanese
- Japanese 3
- Japanese 4
- J400: Advanced Japanese
Year 4 - List B Guided Option Modules
FHEQ Level 5/6
- Nation and Identity in Contemporary Japan
- Gender and Society in Contemporary Japan
- History of Korea to the late 19th Century
- Identity and social relations in Japanese
- Culture and Society of Taiwan
- Japanese Cinema: a Critical Survey
- Japanese New Wave Cinema: Youth, Sex and Protest
- Japanese Traditional Drama
- Modern Japanese Literature
- State and Society in Traditional Korea
- The Other Korea: North Korea since 1945
- Trajectories of Modernity in Korean Literature
Learn a language as part of this programme
Degree programmes at SOAS - including this one - can include language courses in more than forty African and Asian languages. It is SOAS students’ command of an African or Asian language that sets SOAS apart from other universities.
Important notice
The information on the programme page reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session.
Career Opportunities
Employment
As a graduate who specialised in China and Inner Asia, you will have gained competency in language skills and intercultural awareness and understanding. Familiarity with the region will have been developed through a study of language in combination with literature, development studies, economics, geography, history, history of art and archaeology, Indonesian, Korean, law, linguistics, music, politics, social anthropology or religion.
Graduates leave SOAS not only with linguistic and cultural expertise, but also with a portfolio of widely transferable skills which employers seek in many professional and management careers, both in business and in the public sector. These include written and oral communication skills, attention to detail, analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to research, amass and order information from a variety of sources. A large number of graduates find work in which they are able to use their language skills, either in Britain or in East Asia. Recent graduates are currently located in China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan, as well as in various countries of Europe. They work in a variety of sectors and some have gone on to do higher degrees and have found or are aiming for careers in academia.
Graduates have gone on to work for a range of organisations including:
- Allen & Overy
- BBC
- Chimerica Media
- China Consulting
- China International Publishing Group
- Consulate General of Switzerland, Shanghai
- Enabling Environments Ltd
- Fortuna International Ltd Institute for Philanthropy
- Modern Sky Records
- Sino International Capital Group (SICG)
- The Institute of Public & Environmental Affairs
- JP Morgan
- British Embassy Beijing
- Marks & Spencer
- Swiss Consulate
Types of roles that graduates have gone on to do include:
- Consultant
- Copy Editor
- Research Executive
- Export Sales Manager
- Translator
- Programmes Assistant Electronic Music Manager
- Managing Director
- Actor
- Analyst
- Investment Banker
- Researcher and Translator
English Language Requirements
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