MA History of Art and Chinese Studies
About this course
MA (Hons) in History of Art and Chinese Studies, a Chinese and History of Art degree focusing on visual culture and language acquisition. Core topics include Language & Translation. Students spend the third year abroad at a university in mainland China or Taiwan for immersive language study. The first year introduces modern spoken and written Chinese alongside East Asian history and creative expression, with entry levels ranging from beginners to intermediate. Year 2 covers pre-modern East Asian history, society and culture, youth culture, and classical Chinese. Year 3 involves an immersive period abroad at a university in mainland China or Taiwan. The final year develops advanced speaking, reading, and writing skills, alongside translation, film, literature, media, visual culture, politics, international relations, modern and pre-modern history, and contemporary society.
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 0%: 0 offers from 9 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 51 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 92%
- Learning opportunities: 77%
- Assessment and feedback: 71%
- Academic support: 87%
- Organisation and management: 65%
- Learning resources: 88%
- Student voice: 72%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 95 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 94%
- Left higher education: 4%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 2%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 80 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 4%
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 3%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 3%
- London: 56%
- South East: 9%
- South West: 3%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 16%
Who gets in
Based on about 100 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 86%
- Baccalaureate: 3%
- Access course: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 3%
- No formal qualifications: 8%
Modules
- If you are a beginner, you will study Chinese 1, an introduction to modern spoken and written Chinese.
- If you already have some knowledge of the Chinese language, you may be eligible to enrol in a more advanced course: Chinese 2 (upper beginner) or Chinese 3 (intermediate).
- learn about China's changing relationship with Japan and Korea
- develop an understanding of 20th century China through two of its chief modes of creative expression
- study pre-modern East Asian history, society and culture
- learn classical Chinese and gain research skills in Chinese Studies
- explore East Asian youth culture
- Student Wellbeing Service
- Student Counselling
- Student Disability and Learning Support
- University emergency helpline (available 24 hours a day)
- developing advanced skills in speaking, reading and writing
- building on your existing translation skills
- film, literature, media and visual culture
- politics and international relations
- modern and pre-modern history
- contemporary society
- to refine interests you develop from Years 1 to 3, or
- as a springboard for something completely new
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA History of Art and Chinese Studies at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £27,500 after 3 years, £37,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £28,500 and £49,500. The £37,500 median after five years is £6,500 more than the UK median for Asian studies.
Are students happy with the teaching on MA History of Art and Chinese Studies at University of Edinburgh?
92% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA History of Art and Chinese Studies at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 162 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA History of Art and Chinese Studies at University of Edinburgh?
0% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 0 offers from 9 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA History of Art and Chinese Studies at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on MA History of Art and Chinese Studies at University of Edinburgh?
94% of students continued into their second year, and 4% left higher education.