International Politics (China)

Student Testimonials

Lars Shurilla, USA, talks about his experience at Glasgow University

Lars Shurilla recording

Neil Cowan, Scotland
2011-12 winner of the C.L. Hsia prize for the best marks in a China-related degree course

After finishing my undergraduate degree I obtained a job teaching English in China. Throughout the course of the year, I became increasingly fascinated with the country; its contradictions, its culture and its future prospects. I began searching for a Masters degree that would allow me to further this interest, and eventually found the MSc International Politics (China) at the University of Glasgow. Having previously been an undergraduate at the university, I knew that the teaching was first-class and that the Politics department was an interesting and stimulating place to study. What particularly appealed to me was the focus on China's international politics, something which I believe is unique amongst China-focused degrees in the UK.

I found that the programme more than matched my expectations; seminars were lively and stimulating and the teaching was of a very high standard. The fact that I was able to choose from such a wide variety of classes also helped, and I was able to supplement my China-specific classes with a host of others. I am currently undertaking an internship with the World Uyghur Congress, a human rights NGO, which came about as a direct consequence of my Masters dissertation which looked at the Uyghur issue in China.

French student

Before I started this Masters, I studied Chinese and such a diploma can only lead to teaching, which I didn’t want to do. I wanted to do something more specific.

The best things about Glasgow’s programme of study are that you can choose options in different areas of study. (For instance) In the first semester I chose an option in Sociology. Studying in a Scottish university is quite different from studying in France. I like it better. In France you just get to go to class and sit and listen to the teacher and you just have to learn everything they say. I think it’s much better here because for every class you have to prepare, so we have to read two articles and discuss their points of view and it’s more interesting and more fulfilling, so it’s better for us to learn things that way, and at the end we have to write an essay showing what we have learned.

To prospective students I say "Go for it!" I love Scotland it’s great. I love haggis and all that! I know it sounds stupid, but it’s true, and Glasgow is quite lively. There’s a lot of things going on, a lot more than some people tend to think. There are a lot of societies as well you can join.

Zilong Zhao, China

I studied Chinese economy before, but I wanted to study another area, such as culture or history, and this programme provides these courses. I learned multiple viewpoints and ideas about China, especially the political system.

Alyssa Fann, Taiwan

The idea of studying at an ancient university was intriguing to me. I also thought Glasgow sounded exotic because it wasn't one of the 'traditional' education destinations for Taiwanese students. There was also a discount on the fees and I chose my program because it gives a strong insight into China when China's importance is increasingly being felt by everyone in the world. The program is taught by staff with high levels of expertise and there is a good international student body. Also, the small classes allow ample interaction and everyone is able to contribute actively in class. I get a lot of support from my peers and I made many new friends. There is a very good social atmosphere around here. My peers and I go out for weekly drinks after classes, during which we mulled over what was taught or debated in class.

Robbie Fergusson, Scotland

I enrolled in the China in the International Arena course on the advice of one of my undergraduate lecturers who stressed to me the increasing importance of China, both to the academic world, and the real world. Having not studied China in any capacity, this course gave me a broad insight into the Chinese culture, history, economics and politics. Perhaps unlike any other current political issue China is very much a live debate; and being surrounded by Chinese students helped challenge - not change - my perspective on some contemporary contentious issues. I will leave the programme both with specialist knowledge of China and a broader portfolio of skills in International Politics.

David O'Hare, Scotland

Coming from an Aeronautical Engineering background, studying China in the International Arena (and political science in general) was new territory for me, but the feedback provided on coursework was fantastic and helped me to settle in straight away. I found the course extremely interesting: it covers such a wide variety of different topics in enough detail to give a proper grasp of China's place within today's political and economic arenas. I found the MSc to be fantastically customisable with so many options allowing you to tailor the course to your own interests, making the whole experience feel much more relevant and personal. I would highly recommend this course.