Chinese
Oxford’s BA in Chinese offers its students rigorous training not just in contemporary Mandarin, but also the classical Chinese language. In tandem with study of these two languages, students receive a thorough grounding in the history, literature, culture, philosophy, and politics of Chinese-speaking societies during the premodern, twentieth-century, and contemporary periods.
Students may choose to focus entirely on Chinese, or, subject to availability, to study it in combination with Japanese, Korean or Tibetan.
Visit the Faculty course page for more detail.
BA Chinese (T101)
The BA Chinese is a four-year course. The first year will equip you with a sound basic knowledge of spoken Mandarin, contemporary written Chinese in both its traditional and simplified forms, the grammar and vocabulary of Classical Chinese, as well as of the history and cultures of China.
You will spend your second year abroad in China or Taiwan. Students entering from 2025 onwards can expect to spend their year abroad at Peking University.
In the third and fourth years of the degree programme the focus is on further developing linguistic skills, the in-depth study of literary and historical texts and cultural products, and developing a broad understanding of crucial topics in Chinese society during the traditional period, the twentieth century, and contemporary times. These two years include an exciting range of options typically covering philosophy, literature, history, anthropology, politics, and art, and the chance to conduct independent research projects in the form of an extended essay and your undergraduate dissertation.
Please note that this course is not designed for students whose first language is Chinese. Applications will be considered from students whose level of Mandarin Chinese at entry ranges from complete beginner to approximately A-Level standard.
BA Chinese with a subsidiary language
Subject to availability, if you wish to combine Chinese with another language you may choose from one of the following subsidiary language options:
- Japanese
- Korean
- Tibetan.
The subsidiary language will give you the opportunity to study the second language to intermediate level and learn about the society and culture(s). This option will lead to a degree which combines the two (eg BA Chinese with Japanese).
BA Japanese with Chinese (T201)
Chinese may also be studied as a subsidiary language (ie as a second subject) alongside Japanese as a main subject.
Visit the BA Japanese course page for more information.
Learning to write in Chinese
At Oxford, you will learn to write in Chinese in both its traditional and simplified forms. Mastering the ability to handwrite in Chinese is a core requirement for all students on which they will receive teaching and be examined.
If you have any concerns about your ability to satisfy this requirement please contact the Faculty at undergraduate.administrator@ames.ox.ac.uk.
