Modern Chinese Studies MPhil
About
The MPhil in Modern Chinese Studies is suitable for graduates who have developed an interest in China and now want to learn the language and take their knowledge and understanding to a level where it could be useful for future academic or professional careers.
The aim of the course is to provide a strong grounding in modern Chinese language, both written and spoken; a strong foundation in understanding modern and contemporary Chinese society and culture; and training in conducting research on China.
Knowing the Chinese language is essential for anyone who wants to understand China and the course is designed to provide this at both elementary and intermediate levels. Chinese language study will take up a large proportion of your time while you are in Oxford.
You will spend the first year of the course in Oxford, studying Chinese language alongside core classes in the interdisciplinary study of China and either research methods in the social sciences or a course on Modern China from Humanities perspectives. You will choose from a range of options, shared with the MSc in Contemporary Chinese Studies, which allow you opportunities to acquire advanced knowledge of the society, politics, economics, international relations, history, literature and art of modern China. Options are subject to the availability of teaching each year.
As this course involves language learning in addition to core and option courses, you will have a large number of classroom hours. The exact number of hours per week varies according to the level of language learning. However, whatever the level, students find that most of their time throughout the two years is taken up with classes and the regular preparation and homework required for those classes.
The course is designed for students from a wide range of backgrounds and is particularly suitable for those who have studied such areas as History, Literature and Cultural Studies, Politics and International Relations, Geography, Anthropology or Sociology.
This course is not designed for students whose first language is Chinese. Instead you are encouraged to apply for the MSt in Traditional China degree, offered by the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, or the MSc in Contemporary Chinese Studies degree offered by the School of Global and Area Studies.
Course structure
The overall structure of the course is as follows:
Chinese Language at level 1 (elementary) or level 2 (intermediate).
Elementary level is for students who are complete beginners or are false beginners, but not up to the next level. Students are taught reading, writing and translation skills as well as speaking and listening. Intermediate level is for students who are confident in daily communication, able to recognise and write about 500 to 550 Chinese characters, and have learnt most of the main grammar points. You will be allocated to these levels by a placement test in consultation with the language teachers.
Compulsory core course on The Study of Contemporary China
This is taught from a range of humanities and social sciences perspectives and covers different aspects of modern and contemporary China.
Methodology Training
You will choose one of two options focused on either social sciences or humanities approaches to modern and contemporary China.
Option papers
You must choose two option papers, one per year. Options are subject to availability of teaching each year but might include:
- History and Historiography of Modern China
- Politics, Culture and Society of China
- Modern Chinese Art
- International Relations of Contemporary China
- China’s Economic Reforms
- Taiwan in Comparative Perspective
- China’s Twentieth and Twenty-First Century on Film
Term abroad
The first part of the second year consists of a period of at least three months on an approved course of language study in mainland China or Taiwan which helps to consolidate language skills and also allows students to gain first-hand experience of the country. The term abroad is expected to be at Beijing University but this can change. Arrangements will be confirmed during the first year of the course.
Dissertation
You will complete a dissertation in your second year which includes the requirement to conduct research using original Chinese language sources.
Assessment
The Chinese language course is assessed by written and oral examinations at the end of the first and second years. Students must pass the first year examinations in order to proceed to the second year of the course.
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.
The research methods courses for social sciences and humanities are assessed by submitted essays.
Finally, students complete a dissertation in their second year which includes the requirement to conduct research using original Chinese language sources.
How to apply
Resources for Study
As a graduate student, you will have access to the University's wide range of resources including libraries, museums, galleries, digital resources and IT services.
The Bodleian Libraries is the largest library system in the UK. It includes the main Bodleian Library and libraries across Oxford, including major research libraries and faculty, department and institute libraries. Together, the Libraries hold more than 13 million printed items, provide access to e-journals, and contain outstanding special collections including rare books and manuscripts, classical papyri, maps, music, art and printed ephemera.
The University's IT Services is available to all students to support with core university IT systems and tools, as well as many other services and facilities. IT Services also offers a range of IT learning courses for students to support with learning and research, as well as guidance on what technology to bring with you as a new student at Oxford.
The Dickson Poon Oxford China Centre, 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, classrooms, a coffee room 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, which is based in the China Centre, is the main library for the material you will require. 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.
Funding
Applying for Oxford funding
For the majority of Oxford scholarships, all you need to do is submit your graduate application by the January deadline for your course. There’s no separate scholarship application process or extra supporting documentation required for funding. Based on the information supplied in your graduate application, you will be automatically considered for scholarships where you meet the eligibility criteria with most scholarships using academic merit and/or potential as the basis on which award decisions are made.
However, please note, in addition to submitting an application form for your chosen course, the scholarships listed on the following page also require an additional application to be considered for them.
Faculty funding
The Faculty has a limited number of funding across its wide range of subject areas. Please see opportunities that are currently known to the Faculty and which may be available in the current admissions cycle. It is possible that further scholarships may become available at a later point.
