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UCAS code: TV11

Duration: 4 years

Delivery: Full-time

School: Literatures, Languages and Cultures

College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Study abroad

Introducing MA Chinese and History

This programme reflects both the importance of China historically and its growing contemporary significance.

A knowledge of Chinese language and culture is increasingly important as China becomes a bigger global player, economically and politically. China currently has the largest population in the world and the world's second largest economy. It is also critical to understand and reflect on China’s history and the history of China in the world.

Students on this programme complement their understanding of Chinese culture and language with a knowledge and understanding of history. The discipline of history involves study of the human past, adopting a critical approach to evidence relevant to that enquiry.

Work in history takes the form of interaction with the evidence in primary form and through sceptical reading of a wide body of historical writing.

The Edinburgh experience is distinctive for the range of historical themes, chronological periods and geographical areas which can be studied using a variety of different intellectual approaches to the past.

What you will study

Year 1

You will study Chinese 1, an introduction to modern spoken and written Chinese, and Modern East Asian History, an introduction to modern East Asian history. A range of other courses, including Modern China in Literature & Film, is available.

Year 2

You will continue to learn Chinese and will explore Chinese culture further in Chinese 2A and Chinese 2B. You may also take Pre-Modern East Asia to 1600, to learn more about classical and pre-modern Chinese history and culture, in preparation for your year in China.

Year 3

You will spend Year 3 studying abroad, where you will develop your language skills and follow courses in Chinese literature and culture.

Year 4

You will continue to study Chinese language alongside your choice of courses in film, politics, modern and pre-modern history, literature, philosophy and economic history.

Programme structure

Find out more about the compulsory and optional courses in this degree programme.

To give you an idea of what you will study on this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme structure (2018/19)

Where you will study

Our facilities

The majority of the teaching takes place within the School of Literatures, Languages & Cultures, located within the University’s Central Area. You will have access to the University’s libraries and computer facilities and the School’s language labs.

Study abroad

Students will spend Year 3 studying abroad.

Guaranteed study abroad funding for students required to complete a year abroad

Learning and assessment

How will I learn?

Most of the cultural courses are taught through lectures and tutorials. Languages are taught in small classes that use computer-assisted learning.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed by a combination of exams, class exercises and coursework.

Programme details

Find out more about this programme's aims, what you will learn, how you will be assessed and what skills and knowledge you will develop.

To give you an idea of what to expect from this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme details (2018/19)

Career opportunities

Chinese graduates are in demand in the media, commerce and the civil service, and many are recruited by companies based in east Asia.

Graduates of Chinese can use their language skills to work as translators, interpreters or teachers.

Entry requirements

Typical offer range

The typical offer is likely to be:

SQA Highers: AAAA - ABBB.
A Levels: ABB.
IB: 40 points (grades 766 at HL) - 34 points (grades 655 at HL).

Access threshold

The access threshold for a contextual offer is:

SQA Highers: ABBB.
A Levels: ABB.
IB: 34 points (grades 655 at HL).

Find out more about access thresholds and contextual offers

Detailed requirements for all applicants

To be considered for an offer of a place all applicants must meet the following requirements:

SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S5 or ABBBB/AABB from S4-S6, with a minimum of BBB achieved in one year of S4-S6. National 5: A language other than English at Grade A, English at Grade C and Mathematics or an approved science at Grade C.
A Levels: ABB. GCSEs: A language other than English at Grade A or 7, English at Grade C or 4 and Mathematics or an approved science at Grade C or 4.
IB: Award of Diploma with 34 points overall and grades 655 in HL subjects. SL: A language other than English at 6, English at 5, and Mathematics or an approved science at 4.

Additional requirements

Native speakers

Please note that the Chinese programmes involve beginners language study and are not suitable for native or near-native speakers.

Language requirement

Please note that for degrees that have a subject requirement for a language other than English, students may not use their own native language to meet this requirement. In these instances, English or an alternative language other than native will be acceptable.

Find out more about entry requirements

International applicants

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international student and your school qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to the University you may be eligible for admission to this degree programme through our International Foundation Programme.

International Foundation Programme

Mature applicants

We welcome applications from mature students and accept a range of qualifications.

Mature applicant qualifications

English language requirements

You must provide evidence that your written and spoken English is at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

If English is not your first language, you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your spoken and written English:

IELTS Academic module overall 6.5 with 5.5 in each component
TOEFL-iBT 92 or above with 20 in each section
Cambridge English: Advanced or Proficiency overall 176 with 162 in each component
Pearson Test of English (Academic): Total 61 with at least 51 in each "Communicative Skills" section
Trinity ISE: ISE II with a distinction in all four components

About English language requirements

SQA, GCSE and IB

For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:

SQA National 5 Grade C
SQA Standard Grade 3
SQA Intermediate 1 Grade A
SQA Intermediate 2 Grade C
GCSE Grade C or 4
Level 2 Certificate Grade C
IB Standard Level Grade 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

Unistats data

This information is part of a government initiative to enhance the material that higher education institutions provide about their degree programmes.

It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

Please note that some programmes do not have Unistats data available.

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for MA Chinese and History

Additional costs

You will spend September to July of Year 3 at a university in Taiwan or China. This is a compulsory part of your programme. Costs will vary according to the location. Some scholarship money may be available from external sources, on a competitive basis, for students studying in China.