BA Chinese Studies with Year Abroad
About this course
BA (Hons) in Chinese Studies with Year Abroad, a language and cultural studies degree centred on Chinese language acquisition, history, and cultural analysis. Core topics include Research Methods and Communication & Writing. This four-year undergraduate programme features a compulsory year abroad spent studying the language full-aine at a Chinese university, alongside an optional foundation year. The first year covers language acquisition and cultural foundations through Chinese Language 1A or Chinese Language 1B, Introduction to Chinese Culture, and Modern East Asian History. The second year continues linguistic training and cultural exploration with Chinese Language 2A or Chinese Language 2B and Chinese Cinema, alongside optional modules such as Classical Chinese, Chinese Literature: Images, Fictions, Worldmaking, Modern China's Transformations, Designing for Digital Culture, Music and Place, and World Philosophies. The third year is spent abroad studying full-time at a Chinese university. The final year advances language proficiency and independent scholarship through Dissertation, Chinese Language 4, and Chinese Historical and Literary Texts, supported by optional choices including Polygraphing Japonisme, Classical Chinese, and language modules in Korean or Japanese.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: AAB You are not expected to have any previous knowledge of Chinese, but if you do have an A level (or equivalent) in Chinese, then you may be able to enter the Advanced stream from Year 1. IB: 35 with 665 in higher level subjects. Please see above for subject requirements.
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 82%: 70 offers from 85 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 7 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 80%
- Learning opportunities: 69%
- Assessment and feedback: 62%
- Academic support: 70%
- Organisation and management: 30%
- Learning resources: 90%
- Student voice: 50%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 30 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 80%
- Left higher education: 20%
What graduates do next
Based on about 8 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 45%
- Working and studying: 30%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Teaching Professionals: 35%
- Secretarial and related occupations: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Finance Professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 55%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 20%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 525 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 6%
- North West: 5%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 6%
- East Midlands: 3%
- West Midlands: 3%
- East of England: 6%
- London: 50%
- South East: 13%
- South West: 5%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 90%
- Baccalaureate: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Chinese Language 1A or Chinese Language 1B
- Introduction to Chinese Culture
- Modern East Asian History
- Example optional modules
- Chinese Language 2A or Chinese Language 2B
- Chinese Cinema
- Example optional modules
- Study abroad
- Dissertation
- Chinese Language 4
- Chinese Historical and Literary Texts
- Example optional modules
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Chinese Studies with Year Abroad at Durham University earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £29,000 after 3 years, £38,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £30,500 and £53,000. The £38,500 median after five years is £7,500 more than the UK median for Asian studies.
What do graduates of BA Chinese Studies with Year Abroad at Durham University do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Chinese Studies with Year Abroad at Durham University?
80% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Chinese Studies with Year Abroad at Durham University?
The typical offer is AAB at A level. The average entrant had 179 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BA Chinese Studies with Year Abroad at Durham University?
82% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 70 offers from 85 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BA Chinese Studies with Year Abroad at Durham University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Chinese Studies with Year Abroad at Durham University?
80% of students continued into their second year, and 20% left higher education.