Chinese Studies

One of the world’s greatest powers with the fastest growing economy, China is a fascinating country to study. This course develops both your Chinese language skills and your understanding of Chinese culture and society. You'll also spend part of your degree studying in a Chinese-speaking society.

Understand the influence that China and Chinese-speaking people have on the world we live in, while developing a wealth of advanced language skills.

Explore global and regional approaches to China and Chinese culture with the BA in Chinese Studies at Sheffield's School of East Asian Studies.

Working with spoken and written Chinese from day one, you’ll undertake intensive language study – by the time you graduate in your fourth year, you will have sophisticated language skills that allow you to follow and contribute to written and spoken discussions on events and developments across a range of subjects.

As your understanding grows, you’ll have the chance to study modules as wide-ranging as history, anthropology, geography and sociology, media, business, politics and urban studies.

You will spend a year at one of our partner universities in mainland China or Taiwan, returning to Sheffield to refine your language skills, deepen your understanding through research-led modules and complete a dissertation project of your choice supervised by world-leading researchers.

You’ll be supported by our expert teaching staff, developing an unparalleled knowledge of the subject, gaining valuable lived experience, and contributing to world-leading research in the field.

Advanced Chinese language pathway Our Advanced Chinese language pathway is one of the few programmes in the UK which allows students with prior knowledge of the Chinese language to continue their love of language learning at degree level, while exploring Chinese society with our wider Chinese studies cohort.

The pathway follows a similar structure to the standard course, but you'll take your year abroad in mainland China or Taiwan in your second year (as opposed to your third year). This allows you to flex your language skills and immerse yourself in Chinese language and culture, sooner.

You must have prior knowledge of Chinese language to be eligible for the advanced Chinese language pathway.

You don't need to apply separately for the advanced Chinese language pathway. You'll be invited to take a placement test in your first week at the University, to ensure you are placed on the pathway appropriate to your language level.

Why study this course?

Voted number one: Ranked 1st in NSS results 2023 across Asian Studies in the UK, our staff are UK leaders in supporting your studies and career goals.

Flexible language pathways: Our Chinese programme is one of the few in the UK that caters to different levels of Chinese-language experience, with both new entry and advanced pathways.

Gain lived experience with a year abroad: Apply your rapidly developing language skills in the real world, refine your critical understanding – and experience a life-changing trip.

Find a career connected to East Asia: An emphasis on skills development, careers and employability means your degree gives you the best foundation for a career in the region, and here in the UK.