MA Chinese and History
About this course
MA (Hons) in Chinese and History, a Chinese and History degree centred on the study of Mandarin Chinese language alongside global historical periods and themes. The first year covers core subjects through modern East Asian history, which looks at Japan and Korea and their relationship with China, and literature and film in modern China. The second year includes learning classical Chinese and taking a skills course in doing research in Chinese Studies, alongside exploring the history of a different world culture or learning an additional language. The third year is spent abroad. The final year involves advanced study through Chinese film and literature, Chinese and East Asian politics, modern and pre-modern East Asian history, and contemporary Chinese society and economic history.
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: ABB (required: no specific A level subjects required) IB: 34 points with 655 at HL
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 63%: 10 offers from 16 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 144 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 90%
- Learning opportunities: 73%
- Assessment and feedback: 69%
- Academic support: 85%
- Organisation and management: 74%
- Learning resources: 87%
- Student voice: 59%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 265 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 93%
- Left higher education: 5%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 2%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 305 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 4%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 3%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 4%
- London: 36%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 3%
- Scotland: 38%
Who gets in
Based on about 285 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 82%
- Baccalaureate: 7%
- Access course: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 2%
- No formal qualifications: 7%
Modules
- a wide-ranging core course focused on key skills and habits, and showcasing the variety of topics available at Edinburgh, including in modern history
- one of two courses, covering either: the medieval period the early modern period
- the medieval period
- the early modern period
- modern East Asian history, which looks at Japan and Korea and their relationship with China
- literature and film in modern China, which allows you to develop insights into topics such as women’s emancipation, revolution, and nationalism
- begin learning classical Chinese and take a skills course in doing research in Chinese Studies
- learn more about East Asian history, society and culture in preparation for your year abroad
- explore the history of a different world culture or learn an additional language
- choose a course from a completely different discipline to broaden the scope of your study
- Student Wellbeing Service
- Student Counselling
- Student Disability and Learning Support
- University emergency helpline (available 24 hours a day)
- Chinese film and literature
- Chinese and East Asian politics
- modern and pre-modern East Asian history
- contemporary Chinese society and economic history
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Chinese and History at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £28,000 after 3 years, £34,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £26,500 and £45,000. The £34,500 median after five years is £3,500 more than the UK median for Asian studies.
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Chinese and History at University of Edinburgh?
90% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Chinese and History at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 188 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA Chinese and History at University of Edinburgh?
63% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 10 offers from 16 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA Chinese and History at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on MA Chinese and History at University of Edinburgh?
93% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.