Course Overview
This programme of study combines training in modern Chinese (Mandarin) with providing a solid foundation in the study of history. About one third of the course, 2 modules per year, is devoted to learning Mandarin while the remaining 4 modules cover a range of historical periods and themes, for instance war and conflict. While students have the opportunity to place a certain focus on Chinese history, for example by choosing their dissertation topic in this field, all students are expected to acquire a sound foundation in general history as well as historical methodology. The aim of the programme is to train well-rounded historians with specialist knowledge in Chinese history who further have the linguistic skills necessary to conduct historical research at an advanced level.
Students have the option to spend the second semester of their second year at a university in China to improve their Chinese. Alternatively, they may intercalate a whole year in China after their first or second year of study. Chinese Studies at UWTSD has an excellent track-record of securing Chinese government scholarships to support students wishing to undertake study abroad.
Key Features
Chinese Studies and History offers a solid grounding in the methodology and key themes of a 'systematic' discipline as well as linguistic competence in one of the main global languages. This combination makes our graduates ideal applicants for postgraduate programmes.
Students with prior knowledge of Chinese can enter the language programme at a level appropriate to their knowledge, ranging from Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Further Advanced to Higher Advanced level. For example, students with good GCSE or A-Level results in Mandarin can expect to take Intermediate Chinese in their first year.
Other unique features of the course include:
- Small classes with interactive learning
- Opportunity to construct your own degree scheme based on your favourite subjects
- Training in historical research methods
- Use of local record office and museum resources
- Study abroad opportunities
- Taught by tutors who research and publish in their chosen fields
- Field trips and visits to archives and record offices
- Interdisciplinary approaches to study and understanding of the past
Modules
- Basic Chinese
- Intermediate Chinese
- Advanced Chinese (Applied Language Practice)
- An Introduction: from the French Revolution to the Holocaust
- History and Civilisation of Traditional China
- Understanding Contemporary Chinese Culture and Society
- Britain and the Great War
- From Empire to Nation: Modern History of China
- Europe in the Age of Revolution, Nationalism & Democracy, 1789-1945
- Religion, Society and the State in China, 1800-2000
- History and theory of Genocide
- History and theory of Warfare
Course Tutor(s)
- Dr Thomas Jansen
- Dr Yanxia Zhao
- Duo Luan
Assessment
The programme is assessed in a variety of ways and will include several of the following type of assessment: essays of 1000 to 4000 words in length, document analysis, book/ journal reviews, short reports and reflective journals, time tests, seen and unseen exams, field journals, posters, group and individual presentations, dissertations of 10,000 words, wiki's, commentaries and film evaluations.
Career Opportunities
You will develop powers of analysis, logical thought and argument within a supportive and encouraging environment. It will be these skills of communication, understanding, analysis and self-management that provide you with a passport into employment. Types of employment could include museum and archive work, journalism, law, banking, local politics, all types of administrative work, marketing and advertising, and teaching.
- Teaching/ education officer
- Local Government, community, local politics
- Journalism
- Law and advocacy
- Business
- Tourism and travel
- Translation work
- Volunteering
- Social work
- Publishing
- Heritage (library, archives, museum, tourism)
- Postgraduate research
- Politics
- General administrative and management posts; civil service
Related Courses
- BA Chinese Studies
- BA Chinese Studies and Heritage Studies
- BA Chinese Studies and Medieval Studies
- BA Chinese Studies and Religious Studies
- BA Anthropology and Chinese Studies
Tuition Fees
Annual tuition fees for entry in the academic year 2017/18 are as follows:
UK/EU: £9,000
International: £14,900
Tuition fees for years of study after your first year are subject to an increase of 3% for International students and at the capped fee rate as set by the UK Government for UK/EU students.
You can find further information on fees and how to pay on our Student Finance pages.
You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's Bursaries and Scholarships page
Additional Costs
There is an optional two-day residential for our students studying degree combinations which include Medieval Studies and/or History. It is the annual student-led Conference in Gregynog, where students can visit local historical sites of interest and attend themed guest lectures from visiting academics. This residential costs £110.
