MSc in Contemporary Chinese Studies

You will develop or extend your knowledge and understanding of:

• the key approaches to the social scientific study of modern and contemporary China
• research methods, strategies and ethics that will be of relevance to the social scientific study of China
• critical analysis of sources and ability to present findings effectively, both verbally and in sustained writing exercises
• framing and executing a workable research topic
• interdisciplinary research and its potential.

Modules involve lectures as well as seminar or class discussions, for both of which you will receive reading lists. It is a fundamental component of the Oxford educational system that you engage in individual reading and study in order to broaden and deepen your knowledge of your chosen field. You will also have the opportunity to meet with a supervisor on a one-to-one basis, to help guide you in your dissertation research. In addition to your supervisor, other staff members will be available to advise you on reading, literature and topics. Students normally have some familiarity with Chinese language.

The teaching on the MSc course is built around two core courses. The first core course, Research Methods, will introduce you to the strengths and weaknesses of contrasting discipline-based approaches to Area Studies, and the study of China. It explores both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The second core course, The Study of Contemporary China, teaches foundational knowledge of modern Chinese history, politics and society needed for further study or research in all disciplines, and introduces the different disciplinary approaches to the study of modern China.

In addition to the two core courses you will choose two option courses and complete a research dissertation.

The overall structure of the course is as follows:

• Compulsory core course on The Study of Contemporary China
• Compulsory core course in Research Methods for Area Studies
• Elective papers: Candidates must choose two option papers from a list published annually by the Contemporary Chinese Studies Management Committee
• Research supervision in preparation for a 12,000 word thesis.

Attendance

Resources to support your study

The Dickson Poon University of Oxford China Centre building, based on Canterbury Road, brings together academics drawn from across a range of disciplines, who have in common research and teaching interests related to China. The building has a lecture theatre, a dining area and a range of conference and seminar facilities. These facilities provide opportunities for interaction with students on a range of China-related degrees as well as lectures and other academic activities.

The Bodleian Chinese Studies Library and the Bodleian Social Science Library are the main read-only and lending services respectively, for the material you will require. Reading lists and copies of course PowerPoint slides will be made available to you on Canvas across the academic year. In addition to this, there is a world-renowned collection of Chinese rare books housed in the Bodleian Oriental collections and the superb collections of the Ashmolean Museum.

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies and the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies and the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. 

Students would normally expect to have 9-10 meetings with their supervisors from the start of the course until thesis submissions at the end of week 6 of Trinity Term.

Assessment

Assessment for Research Methods comprises two parts, each weighted equally: a take-home submission in the collection and analysis of qualitative data at the end of Michaelmas Term, and a take-home submission in quantitative analysis at the end of Hilary Term.

The Study of Contemporary China core course is assessed by one unseen exam at the beginning of Hilary Term. Option courses are assessed by either unseen exams or officially submitted essays in Trinity Term.

Finally, from the start of Michaelmas term and continuing across the next two terms, including during the Easter vacation, until submission on Friday of Week 6 of Trinity term, you will research and write a dissertation on a topic of your choosing, subject to approval by the Graduate Studies Committee. Your research topic for your dissertation will be formally approved by your supervisor and Course Director during Michaelmas term.

Graduate destinations

Graduate pathways after the MSc typically fall into one of three categories. The first group move on to further academic study, either in China in order to further enhance their language and cultural skills at leading universities, or by pursuing doctoral study in key disciplines, either here at Oxford or at other top-ranked universities worldwide.

The second path taken by the department’s graduates involves government and public service at international institutions, government agencies and prominent NGOs, usually with a direct focus on China or the East Asia region as part of the brief for their positions.

The third pathway chosen by graduates typically involves major private sector firms in industry or finance, commercial research agencies, international consulting and journalism.

College preference

The following colleges accept students on the MSc in Contemporary Chinese Studies: