About Contemporary Chinese Studies, MSci - at University of Nottingham
China's rapid transformation in a globalising world presents exciting new opportunities for employment, leisure and further study. This four-year course enables you to combine in-depth study of contemporary Chinese society, popular culture and media, economics, politics, geography, and modern history with Mandarin Chinese from beginner to advanced levels. No prior experience of Mandarin is required, although students with existing language expertise can also be accommodated.
Year oneThe first year focuses on aspects of contemporary China and Mandarin language from beginners' level, along with small-group tutorials in both the Autumn and Spring semesters in which the emphasis is placed on reading and discussion of relevant academic literature, essay writing and seminar presentations. Topics are drawn from the core modules and from broader intellectual, cultural and political fields. Optional modules are chosen from a list of approved Chinese studies and other modules and you are required to take a minimum of 20 credits from this list.
Year twoThe second year is spent at The University of Nottingham's Ningbo campus (UNNC) in China. This is a compulsory part of the course. Students are required to complete 120 credits during their year in Ningbo. A minimum of 40 credits must be taken in optional modules which can be chosen from a list of approved Chinese studies and other modules. All students participate in field-course activities on a full-year compulsory module. Native Chinese speakers may follow an alternative programme based at the UK campus, or may replace the compulsory Mandarin modules with alternative optional modules with the permission of both the School and the offering Division at UNNC.
Years three and fourThe third year includes a dissertation on a China-related topic. All students take the Cultural Shift in a Globalising China modules (parts 1 and 2), while further Mandarin language modules and advanced translation modules are available as options. A minimum of 20 credits in optional modules must be chosen from a list of approved Chinese studies and other modules.
In your fourth and final year, you will take a selection of taught-postgraduate level 4 modules covering a range of topics and disciplinary approaches in the study of contemporary China. You must comprise a minimum of 60 of your 120 credits this year from a list of approved Chinese studies and other modules.
By the end of the courseYou will have developed an in-depth knowledge of contemporary China through a range of disciplines including history, geography and economics. Your language skills will be at degree level and you will have had the opportunity to practice Mandarin in its native context. Your international experience will impress employers.
