Chinese MA
A degree in Chinese will allow you to study one of the world’s most widely spoken languages and a language of global strategic importance, while giving you access to the richness of Chinese culture, history and society.
Chinese at Glasgow offers the opportunity to study one of the world’s most widely spoken languages. Glasgow is one of the few universities in Scotland where you can study Chinese as part of a modern languages degree. You will be taught in small groups, by native speakers of Chinese, giving you the opportunity to develop a high level of fluency in written and spoken Chinese.
- September start
- Session dates
- This programme can only be taken as joint honours
Programme structure
Year 1
Chinese is taught from beginner’s level, and previous knowledge of the language is not required, although an aptitude for language learning is helpful. You will develop your communicative skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing, while gaining an understanding of Chinese grammar and the Chinese writing system.
This is an intensive language course designed to help you communicate confidently in Chinese. If you have some previous knowledge of Chinese, you may need to take a level test to help us place you in the most appropriate course.
Year 2
You will build on your knowledge of Chinese and continue to develop confidence in spoken and written communication. You will further develop your reading and listening skills while consolidating your understanding of Chinese grammar and language use. You will also study aspects of Chinese culture and society.
You will also study other subjects in years 1 and 2: see Flexible degrees.
Years 3 (year abroad)
If you progress to Honours you will spend yYear 3 abroad, usually studying at a partner university in China. This provides an opportunity to immerse yourself in the language and culture while further developing your Chinese language skills. The University has a number of exchange programmes and will provide support and advice to help you arrange your placement.
Years 4 and 5
Chinese is available as a Joint Honours programme, so you will study another subject alongside it in yYears 4 and 5. We place a strong emphasis on achieving a high degree of competence in the language. Chinese language study remains central to the programme as you continue to develop advanced skills in spoken and written Chinese.
You will also study aspects of Chinese culture, history and society in greater depth, further developing your understanding of China and the Chinese-speaking world.
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Degree structure for non-beginners languages
The language courses in years 1 and 2 have been designed to allow you to consolidate and advance your knowledge of the language through the study of authentic texts. You will work on enhancing your reading, writing, listening and speaking skills and will begin to undertake tasks which may be new to you, such as summarising and translating. The courses are assessed by online tests, oral exams and written exams.
The culture courses in years 1 and 2 will introduce you to a broad range of ideas and texts and will encourage you to think about the vast number of cultures that have been shaped by the languages you are learning. You’ll think about a variety of topics including cities, popular culture, gender and nationalism. These broad courses showcase our research specialisms and will allow you to make an informed choice when you come to decide which courses to take at Honours level.
In years 4 and 5, you will study language in greater depth and will focus on the finer nuances of language usage. You will also choose courses in areas that interest you and we have a range of specialist courses relating to history, literature, cinema and society as well as courses that focus on applied language skills (such as translation and interpreting).
Year 1
- Non Beginners Language 1: Culture 1
- 2nd Level 1 subject
- 3rd Level 1 subject
Year 2
- Language 2: Culture 2
- 2nd Level 2 subject
- A new Level 1 subject may be taken
Year 3
- Year abroad
Year 4
- Junior Honours
- [Joint subject: where applicable]
- Note: if you are studying two languages, you will go abroad to a country where one of your two languages is spoken during your 4th year.
Year 5
- Senior Honours
- [Joint subject: where applicable]
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Degree structure for beginners languages
The beginners language courses in year 1 are intensive language courses specially designed to allow you to take an Honours degree in the language you are studying. In year 2, you will join with the non-beginners students and will continue to develop your language skills before going abroad. You will work on enhancing your reading, writing, listening and speaking skills and will begin to undertake new tasks, such as summarising and translating. The courses are assessed by online tests, oral exams and written exams.
The culture courses that you take in year 2 will introduce you to a broad range of ideas and texts and will encourage you to think about the vast number of cultures that have been shaped by the languages you are learning. You’ll think about a variety of topics including cities, popular culture, gender and nationalism. These broad courses showcase our research specialisms and will allow you to make an informed choice when you come to decide which courses to take at Honours level.
If you take a beginners language in year 1 and wish to take the subject to Honours, students of French, German, Italian and Spanish will take Language 2 and both Culture 1 and 2 in year 2. Students of Chinese, Portuguese and Russian will only take Chinese, Portuguese or Russian Culture 2 alongside Chinese, Russian or Russian Language 2.
If you are a student taking two languages, we recommend that you spend your year abroad in a country where the language you have taken as a beginner is spoken.
In years 4 and 5, you will study language in greater depth and will focus on the finer nuances of the language. You will also choose courses in areas that interest you and we have a range of specialist courses relating to history, literature, cinema and society as well as courses that focus on applied language skills (such as translation and interpreting).
Year 1
- Beginners Language 1
- 2nd Level 1 subject
- 3rd Level 1 subject
Year 2
- Language 2: Culture 2
- 2nd Level 2 subject
- Culture 1 (20 credits) + further 20 credits in Level 1 courses
Year 3
- Year abroad
Year 4
- Junior Honours
- [Joint subject: where applicable]
- Note: if you are studying two languages, you will go abroad to a country where one of your two languages is spoken during your 4th year.
Year 5
- Senior Honours
- [Joint subject: where applicable]
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Course details
Year 1
- Chinese 1
Year 2
- Chinese Culture 2
- Chinese Language 2
Year 3
Chinese year abroad study
Year 4 and 5 (Honours)
- Chinese Honours Spoken Language (Junior)
- Chinese Honours Spoken Language (Senior)
- Chinese Honours Written Language (Junior)
- Chinese Honours Written Language (Senior)
- China transformed: a modern history in Global context
- Contemporary China through Fiction and Nonfiction
- Chinese Dissertation
Courses available to students of all Modern Languages include:
- Subsidiary Czech Language (Beginners)
- Subsidiary Czech Language (Intermediate)
- Subsidiary Polish Language (Beginners)
- Subsidiary Polish Language (Intermediate)
- Subsidiary Portuguese Language (Beginners)
- Subsidiary Portuguese Language (Intermediate)
- Subsidiary Russian Language (Beginners)
- Subsidiary Russian Language (Intermediate)
- Narrating the City: Representation of Urban Space in Literature and Film
- Myths and Modern Imagination
- Transcultural Connections: 'Classic' Texts and their Adaptations across Cultures
- Bestsellers in the Pre-Industrial Age
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (Hons)
- History through film and literature: Crisis situations
- Text/Image Cultures: Theory and Practice
- Censorship In Western Culture
- Multilingualism in Context
Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional
circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information,
please see: Student contract.
Our international links
Students who progress to Honours spend Year 3 studying abroad at a partner university in China. This provides the chance to immerse yourself in the language and culture while further developing your Chinese language skills. The University’s international partnerships offer support for studying overseas. Summer and spring language and cultural immersion programmes at Chinese universities may also be available through the University’s Confucius Institute.
Entry requirements
for entry in 2027
You should refer to the entry requirements for both subjects and the degree award when applying for a joint honours degree programme. The higher entry requirement (where applicable) and additional requirements must be met for both subjects.
Summary of entry requirements for Chinese
Scottish Higher entry requirements
- BBBB is the minimum requirement from S5 to be reviewed for an S6 offer
- Offers are not guaranteed to applicants who meet the minimum from S5
- Typically offers will be made at AAAAB by end of S6. B at Advanced Higher is equivalent to A at Higher
- Additional requirements: Higher English and a Higher Humanities subject at AA. (AB or BA may be considered).
Scottish Higher adjusted entry requirements* (by end of S5 or S6)
- MD20: BBBB (also other target groups*)
- MD40: AABB* (minimum requirement of ABB in S5)
- Additional requirements: Higher English and a Higher Humanities subject. Successful completion of Top-Up or one of our Summer Schools.
* See Access Glasgow for eligibility.
Widening Participation Articulation Programmes
The University has bespoke HNC Articulation Programmes running at various colleges, offering direct entry to Year 2 of this degree.
A-level standard entry requirements
- ABB – BBB
- Additional requirements: A-level English or another Humanities subject.
IB standard entry requirements
- 34 (6,5,5)
- Additional requirements: English HL6 or Humanities HL6 with English SL6.
Note: no prior knowledge of Chinese is required.
Admissions guidance
English language
For applicants from non-English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Government, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
English language requirements
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)
- 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
- IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
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Common equivalent English language qualifications for entry to this programme
TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)
Tests taken up to 20 January 2026
- 90 Overall, no subtest lower than Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test, this includes TOEFL mybest.
Tests taken from 21 January 2026
- 92 Overall, no subtest lower than Reading 22; Listening 20; Speaking 23; Writing 21
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test, this includes TOEFL mybest.
Pearsons PTE Academic
- 59 with minimum 59 in all subtests
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)
- 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Oxford ELLT
- 7 overall with no subtest less than 6
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
LanguageCert Academic SELT
- 70 overall with no subtest less than 60
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Password Skills Plus
- 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Trinity College Tests
- Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses
- Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.
School Qualifications
- IGCSE English First Language, grade C
- IGCSE English Second Language, grade A
- A Level English, grade C
- International Baccalaureate English A SL5 or HL5
- International Baccalaureate English B SL6 or HL5
- SQA National 5 English or ESOL, grade B
- SQA Higher English or ESOL, grade C
International School Qualifications
- Brunei: O-Level English Language 1120 grade B and above
- Denmark: Studentereksamen English at 7
- European Baccalaureate: English as Language 1 pass, if taken as Language 2 grade 7, if taken as Language 3 grade 7.5
- Finland: Ylioppilastutkinto / studentexamen English grade C or 4
- France: International Option Baccalaureate (OIB) / Baccalauréat Français International (BFI) grade 12
- Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone: West African Examination Council (WAEC) / Senior Secondary School Certificate English grade C6
- Germany: German Abitur English Grade 11
- Hong Kong: Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education, English Language grade 4
- India: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) / All India School Certificate (ISC) English at 80%
- Kenya: Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) English grade B
- Netherlands: Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO) grade 7
- Norway: Vitnemal English grade 4 or above
- Singapore: Cambridge International O Level English Language (1128 Singapore only) at Grace C; Singapore Integrated Programme Secondary 4 English Language at grade B
- South Africa: National Senior Certificate (NSC) / Independent Exam Board (IEB) Grade 4 (English as Home Language) OR Grade 4 (English as First Additional Language)
- Sweden: Avgangsbetyg / Fullständigt Slutbetyg fran Gymnasieskolan English grade VG
- Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at English at Ordinary Level grade C
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Alternatives to English Language qualification
- Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
- Undergraduate 2+2 degrees from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.
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Pre-sessional courses
We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:
- direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS)
- essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University
- flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.
For more detail on our pre-sessional courses please see:
- English for Academic Study: Pre-sessional courses
We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:
- Heriot Watt
- Kingston Upon Thames
- Middlesex University
- Manchester University
- Reading University
- Edinburgh University
- St Andrews University
- UCL
- Durham
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FAQs
What do I do if...
my language qualifications are below the requirements?
The University's School of Modern Languages and Cultures offers a range of Pre-sessional courses to bring you up to entry level. The course is accredited by BALEAP, the UK professional association for academic English teaching.
my language qualifications are not listed here?
Please contact External Relations
If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:
- UK Border Agency Tier 4 English Language requirements
- UKBA list of approved English language tests [pdf]
Visa requirements and proof of English language level
It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.
Further information about English language: English for Academic Study
Career prospects
Graduates with qualifications in modern languages and cultures pursue rewarding careers in the media, teaching, journalism, tourism, translating and interpreting, and the Civil Service, as well as business, commerce and marketing. Chinese is one of the world’s most widely spoken languages and an official language of the United Nations. Knowledge of Chinese is highly valued across many sectors because of China’s growing role in the global economy and in international cultural exchange.
Degrees and UCAS codes
Chinese can only be taken as a Joint Honours degree.
When applying you will need to know the UCAS code for the subject or subject-combination that you wish to apply to:
MA (Hons)
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
How and when you pay tuition fees depends on where you’re from: see Tuition fees for details.
Scholarships
The University is committed to supporting students and rewarding academic excellence. That's why we've invested more than £1m in additional scholarship funding in recent years.
The scholarships above are relevant to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database
How to apply
How to apply for Advanced Entry
Apply for year 2 (Y2) on your UCAS application. If the specific subject is unavailable for Advanced Entry or your application for year 2 entry is unsuccessful, you will be automatically considered for year 1 entry. You do not have to submit a separate UCAS application.
