Chinese

Information for applicants and offer holders for our degree programmes in Chinese. 欢迎 /歡迎

I’m delighted that you are interested in studying with us and very much hope that you will join our community. 

We have been teaching Chinese since 1966. Today, we are the only Scottish university to offer both single and joint honours degree programmes in Chinese Studies. We are also the only UK university to offer you three different language entry levels to our degree programmes: 

  • Ab initio for complete beginners in the Chinese language
  • Upper beginner
  • Intermediate 

We hope that the information we’ve provided will help you choose the right university and degree for you. 

Professor Alex Thomson, Head of School 

Degree programmes and structures

Need a refresher on the details of the degree programme you've applied for? Our Degree Finder provides more information about your programme, such as:

  • what you will study
  • where you will study
  • career opportunities
  • fees, costs and funding 

Chinese degree programmes: 2025 entry

 

A Degree Programme Table (DPT) provides comprehensive information about the structure of a degree programme, including both compulsory and optional courses. The detailed programme content for 2025/26 is available below. 

 

Chinese degree structures 2025/26

Why study Chinese at Edinburgh?

With more than one billion speakers around the globe, Mandarin Chinese is the world's second most widely spoken language. Its associated cultures have helped shape the contemporary world in many ways. 

Study with us, and you will develop advanced competency in Modern Standard Chinese, gaining the skills to use the language daily in social and professional settings. We are unique in giving you the opportunity to read classical Chinese too. 

From the very start of your programme, we will also equip you with the core academic and research skills you will need to develop your knowledge and critical thinking in Chinese Studies.  

As well as mainland China, we consider the significance of Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and their diasporas from a range of perspectives. 

Studying a language in context demonstrates that you are a good communicator, and someone open to other cultures and new ideas; what employers value as Intercultural Competence. Our Chinese Studies graduates have gone on to careers in the private, public, not-for-profit, and for-benefit sectors around the world, including East Asia. 

Undergraduate degrees in Chinese

On all of our undergraduate degree programmes, you will: 

  • Learn Modern Standard Chinese while exploring China's history, literature, culture and politics, its place in East Asia, and its international relations. 
  • Study over four years, giving you choice and flexibility. In Year 3 you will study at a university in mainland China or Taiwan, gaining lived experience of East Asian culture. If you’re taking Chinese and an additional language to degree level, you’ll spend time in another country too. 
  • Try out other subjects in your first two years. If you’d like to choose more Asian Studies options, you can learn about Japan or Korea. Alternatively, you can do something completely different! 
  • Learn at the heart of Scotland's capital city. When you are on campus, you’ll spend most of your time in the University of Edinburgh's Central Area; in class, in the library, or in one of our many social and support spaces. 
  • Get the chance to join societies related to what you're studying and to pair up with native speakers of Chinese for language exchange and practice. There’s also a Peer Support scheme for Chinese bringing together students across year groups. 
  • Delve into fantastic libraries and collections, including the University’s Chinese and East Asian Studies Collection. This runs to more than 50,000 resources, both print and digital, including upwards of 600 Chinese films. 

Have you applied for a joint honours degree? Don't forget to look at the information for each of your subjects. 

Not sure which School looks after the other subject of your degree? Check our School list for information on the subjects they manage. 

College of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences: Schools and subjects 


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