About China Studies, BA - at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU)

Taught in English, the BA China Studies programme provides the opportunity to apply theories from the humanities and social sciences to your understanding and analysis of China, its history and culture, society and politics, business and economics.

You will follow one of two pathways that lead to two different careers. If you are interested in teaching the Chinese language as a career, you will be directed towards the 'Teaching Chinese as an International Language' pathway. If your interest lies in the study and application of the social sciences, including teaching, you will be directed towards the 'Contemporary China Studies' pathway.

Students on both pathways study the same modules in Years One and Two. The modules are different for each pathway in Years Three and Four.

Why should I study China studies at XJTLU?

• China is arguably the best place to learn about China and Suzhou is one of the most interesting places culturally and economically in China
• The programme includes opportunities for fieldwork around China
• Taught in English, the programme includes opportunities to learn Chinese and to study a broad range of topics including those related to China's history and culture, society and politics, business and economics.

The degree is open to both Chinese and international students and is taught in English. International students who meet academic and English language requirements may start with Year Two.

Knowledge and skills

By the time you graduate from the BA China Studies programme, you will have:

• an advanced level of proficiency in both English and modern standard Chinese
• a strong understanding of humanities and social science theories
• an in-depth understanding of Chinese history and contemporary China's society, culture, and development.

Modules

• Year One

  UK degrees are three years long whereas in China they are four, therefore we do accept students with certain qualifications directly into Year Two, which is the start of the main academic programme. Most students, however, enter into Year One, which provides you with a range of interesting modules, language classes and core skills for your degree.

• Year Two

  • Chinese civilisation
  • Chinese history
  • Twentieth century China
  • Doing business in China
  • Introduction to classical Chinese
  • China: society and development
  • Communications in China
  • China: government and politics
  • Introduction to Chinese literature
  • Modern standard Chinese or English language.

• Year Three

  Pathway A: Teaching Chinese as an international language

  • Modern and contemporary Chinese literature
  • Introduction to linguistics
  • Applied linguistics
  • Teaching Chinese as an international language I
  • Chinese writing
  • Classical Chinese II
  • Modern standard Chinese or English language.

  Pathway B: Contemporary China Studies

  Choose three from the following:

  • China and the world
  • China: social stratification and change
  • China: enterprise and enterprise development
  • Chinese cinema
  • Classical Chinese II
  • Modern and contemporary Chinese literature.

  Choose three from the following:

  • China and East Asia
  • China: family and society
  • China: regional development
  • China and the digital revolution
  • Modern standard Chinese.

• Year Four

  Pathway A: Teaching Chinese as an international language

  • China: theatre and drama
  • Chinese linguistics
  • Language and literature
  • Teaching Chinese as an international language II
  • Modern standard Chinese or English language
  • Final year project.

  Pathway B: Contemporary China Studies

  Choose two from the following:

  • Local government in China
  • West China
  • China: international trade
  • China: theatre and drama.

  Choose two from the following:

  • China: social policy
  • China: understanding gender
  • China: the public sector
  • Portrayal of China in Western media
  • Classical Chinese III
  • Modern standard Chinese.

  Plus:

  • Final year project.

Careers

Graduates have a wide variety of career choices in addition to the opportunity for further graduate study. Typically, students from this programme are employed by companies and organisations looking to link with China in fields such as international business, economics, financial services, government, diplomacy, journalism, education, development and NGO activities.

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Entry requirements for this course

Contact Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) to find course entry requirements.

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View all courses at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU)

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Related information

Studying in China