Contemporary Chinese Studies

MSc in Contemporary Chinese Studies

Course Code | 003981

Oxford has acquired a reputation as one of the leading centres for the study of China in Europe through its undergraduate and graduate programmes and the academic output of members of The School of Interdisciplinary Area Studies and the Oriental Institute.

The MSc in Contemporary Chinese Studies aims to broaden and deepen each individual student’s understanding of contemporary China and raise appreciation of the value of various research methods now used in the field of China studies.

No previous knowledge of Chinese is necessary.

• Length of programme: Nine months
• Core and optional courses:
  • Core courses: Research Methods; The Study of Contemporary China.
  • Students select two option courses from the following disciplines: anthropology, sociology, economics, history, politics, international relations, development studies, environment, and film and cultural studies. The availability of option courses may vary from year to year depending on staffing arrangements.
• Programme specification

The Bodleian Chinese Studies Library and the Bodleian Library hold one of Europe’s largest and fastest growing collections on China, as well as extensive journal collections and Chinese language electronic resources.

Some of Oxford's colleges also have relevant library holdings on modern China.

Collections of significant Chinese artefacts are held in the Ashmolean Museum, the Pitt Rivers Museum and the Museum of the History of Science.

Students who complete the MSc degree to a sufficient standard may subsequently elect to seek admission to doctoral programmes in a range of disciplinary departments within the Social Science division and History Faculty.

The MSc can serve as valuable stand-alone training for those wishing to specialise on China, either out of academic interest or as preparation for work in the private sector, international organisations, government or other professional capacities.