PGDip in Learning and Teaching Mandarin
About the course
The part-time, online PGDip in Learning and Teaching Mandarin is for practising teachers, addressing the growing global demand for qualified Mandarin educators by focussing on enhancing professional practice through research-informed pedagogy.
The core aims of the course are to help students:
- Gain a deep understanding of the theories and research related to Mandarin learning for school-aged learners, covering effective teaching methods across cognitive, social, and emotional domains. This includes analysing different research methods and their impact on policy and practice
- Develop practical skills to engage in research-informed teaching, learn how to seek out and critically evaluate evidence, and design and conduct classroom-based action research
- Understand important themes in Mandarin teaching, such as cultural considerations, individual and group differences, engaging with families and communities, pedagogical leadership, and building communities of practice
- Learn how to apply research and theory to teaching practice through reflection, enhancing your professional performance
- Build skills in independent critical thinking, rational inquiry, and self-directed learning
- Critically engage with and reflect on current issues and debates in Mandarin language research and practice, using research and theory to inform your perspectives
By the end of the course, students will:
- Have a solid grasp of theories and current research on the cognitive, linguistic, and personal development of school-aged learners, along with the teaching methods that support them
- Be able to find, critically evaluate, and discuss various sources of theory and research evidence, and understand their implications for classroom teaching, policy, and practice
- Know how to use research to make informed decisions about teaching school-aged learners who are mastering a new language
- Be able to design and conduct classroom-based research, and provide concrete examples of how their teaching has improved by applying research and theory
- Have a broad knowledge of important themes in Mandarin learning and teaching, such as cultural considerations, individual and group differences, engaging with families and communities, pedagogical leadership, and developing communities of practice
- Be able to critically reflect on their own teaching practices and related policies in their educational settings
- Gain insight into current issues and debates in the field of Mandarin learning and teaching, and apply research and theory to present informed opinions on these debates
Course structure
An overview of the course structure is provided below. Details of the compulsory elements of the course are provided in the Course components section of this page.
With the exception of the residential induction week and the independent study, all modules are delivered online through Canvas, the University’s online learning platform.
One lecture will be provided for each week of the taught modules, accompanied by a carefully-designed mix of pre- and post-lecture readings, forum discussions, quizzes and activities.
Each module will consist of 24 hours of teaching, with a total number of 48 teaching hours for the PGDip as a whole. Teaching hours include both the pre-recorded lectures and interactive post-lecture learning support. Activities and discussions will be designed to maximise independent, peer and staff-supported learning, support classroom application/experimentation and encourage professional reflection.
During Michaelmas and Hilary terms, each week will include 2 hours of pre-session reading, 1.5 hours of pre-recorded video lectures, 0.5 hours of in-session reading and activities, 2 hours of post-session reading, and 4 hours of post-session tasks, such as reflection journals, forum postings, in-school enquiries, etc. You will also interact directly with others on the course or course tutors for an additional hour each week. During Trinity term, the weekly commitment will include 10 hours of independent study per week.
Attendance
This course is part-time and teaching is delivered virtually with one residential period in Oxford. You must attend the residential teaching week at the start of the course. You will receive full access to the virtual learning environment (Canvas) where lectures, seminars and tutorials will occur.
Resources to support your 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.
You will have access to the education collections at the Department of Education library.
Supervision
The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Department of Education 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 Department of Education.
You will be supported throughout the course by supervisors. You will have the opportunity to meet with your supervisor to discuss your work and to get advice on your independent project. It is expected that you will have an individual (2 hour) face-to-face consultation with your supervisor during the residential week. During Michaelmas and Hilary terms, you will be expected to have 2 one-hour meetings with your supervisor each term. During Trinity term, the weekly commitment will include 4 hours of supervisor meetings (four one-hour meetings across the term).
Assessment
Modules 1 and 2 are assessed by submitted assignments, usually taking the form of a 2,500 word essay, responding to a choice of titles that draw on module content; Module 3 will be assessed by a 10-15,000 word research report based on your independent study.
The Department of Education will undertake a comprehensive review of its assessment methods during the 2025–26 academic year, taking into account recent developments in Artificial Intelligence. As a result, some assessment methods may be subject to change. Applicants and offer-holders will be informed of the revised approach to assessment prior to starting the course.
Graduate destinations
Many students will already be working professionals, and the PGDip qualification is designed to elevate their expertise and boost their career growth. By earning this qualification, they can enhance their professional practice and open up new opportunities for advancement in their careers.
Changes to this course
The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made if a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency occurs. In addition, in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.
Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.
For further information please see our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.
Course components
Following the one-week residential induction in Oxford, you will take the following three core modules:
Module 1: Building the Foundations of Research-Informed Practice for Mandarin Learning and Teaching
This module focuses on the unique challenges and opportunities of teaching Mandarin in educational settings. It covers research approaches to Mandarin acquisition, including typical research designs, their interpretations, and implications for individual practice, using empirical examples from the field. The module addresses language learning skills in Mandarin, examining theoretical approaches to teaching oral interaction, listening, reading, and writing. It also discusses principles of planning a Mandarin curriculum, including subject-specific progression and overcoming curriculum planning challenges. Additionally, it provides an overview of curriculum-embedded assessment of learner outcomes, commonly adopted in Mandarin classrooms. Learner motivation is explored, examining general theories of motivation, those specific to language learning, and factors influencing the motivation of Mandarin learners. The module offers an overview of general approaches to developing intercultural understanding, while considering the opportunities and challenges of adopting sensitive approaches to learners' broader cultural perspectives in relation to learning Mandarin. Finally, it includes an examination of real-world examples of teachers, schools, and educational contexts, encouraging you to reflect on your own teaching practices.
Module 2: Supporting Mandarin Learners through Research-Informed Practice
This module builds on the foundations laid in Module 1 by focusing on practical strategies for teaching Mandarin. The module begins with a review of pedagogical principles, drawing directly from previous learning to inform classroom practice. It then delves into specific aspects of Mandarin teaching, such as the teaching of tone, orthography, and the development of oral interaction, reading, and writing skills. Each session critically evaluates research evidence to inform and enhance classroom practice. The module also addresses inclusive teaching strategies for learners with Special Educational Needs and Differences (SEND), ensuring that all students' holistic needs are met. Additionally, it covers the principles of task design and their application in the Mandarin classroom. The module concludes with case studies, reflecting on the practical application of the themes covered and encouraging students to consider how these lessons can be applied in your own teaching contexts.
Module 3: Independent project
The independent project gives you a chance to dive into a specific area of interest within your educational setting. This project can be a school-based action research study or another type of empirical investigation. If you are not currently working in a school, it could mean working with a teacher from another school who would carry out the intervention, while you manage the research aspects, such as theorising, planning the teaching, and evaluating the outcomes. If you do not have access to classrooms where Mandarin is taught, you may choose to write an extended essay instead. The project work will start after the Hilary term assessments are submitted, with most of the work happening during Trinity term and the Long Vacation. Please note that complex statistical analysis is not required; typical data collection methods may include questionnaires, interviews, or qualitative analyses of student work.
Entry requirements for entry in 2026-27
Proven and potential academic excellence
The requirements described below are specific to this course and apply only in the year of entry that is shown. You can use our guidance to help you evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive.
Please be aware that any studentships that are linked to this course may have different or additional requirements and you should read any studentship information carefully before applying.
Degree-level qualifications
As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:
- a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in any discipline, though qualifications in a related discipline such as education or languages and linguistics will be an advantage.
For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum overall GPA that is normally required to meet the undergraduate-level requirement is 3.6 out of 4.0.
If your degree is not from the UK or another country specified above, visit our International Qualifications page for guidance on the qualifications and grades that would usually be considered to meet the University’s minimum entry requirements.
The requirement for a first-class or strong upper second-class degree with honours can be alternatively demonstrated by a strong degree at master’s level and/or substantial relevant professional experience.
GRE General Test scores
No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.
Other qualifications, evidence of excellence and relevant experience
Teaching qualifications (such as QTS, PGCE, TEFL, CELTA, DELTA and/or HLTA) are not mandatory but may be taken into consideration. Relevant evidence should be provided for these qualifications in the application
You will be expected to have some experience of working with Mandarin language learners
- Publications are not required
English language proficiency
This course requires proficiency in English at the University's standard level. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement. The minimum scores required to meet the University's standard level are detailed in the table below.
| Test | Minimum overall score | Minimum score per component |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic (Institution code: 0713) | 7.0 | 6.5 |
| TOEFL iBT* including the 'Home Edition' (Institution code: 0490) | 100 | Listening: 22 Reading: 24 Speaking: 25 Writing: 24 |
| C1 Advanced† | 185 | 176 |
| C2 Proficiency‡ | 185 | 176 |
| Oxford Test of English Advanced | 155 | 145 |
*Changes to the TOEFL iBT test are being introduced on 21 January 2026. If you are taking a TOEFL test after this date, please note that these changes may affect whether the University is able to accept this test.
†Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English or Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)
‡Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)
Your test must have been taken no more than two years before the start date of your course. Our Application Guide provides further information about the English language test requirement.
Declaring extenuating circumstances
If your ability to meet the entry requirements has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (eg you were awarded an unclassified/ungraded degree) or any other exceptional personal circumstance (eg other illness or bereavement), please refer to the guidance on extenuating circumstances in the Application Guide for information about how to declare this so that your application can be considered appropriately.
References
You will need to register three referees who can give an informed view of your academic ability and suitability for the course. The How to apply section of this page provides details of the types of reference that are required in support of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.
Supporting documents
You will be required to supply supporting documents with your application. The How to apply section of this page provides details of the supporting documents that are required as part of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.
Performance at interview
Candidates will be shortlisted based on academic ability, potential, and fit of interests with the course content.
Interviews for shortlisted candidates are normally held two to six weeks after the closing date of the admissions round.
They are conducted by two interviewers, in person or using Teams video-conferencing, and will focus on candidates’ academic and professional background. Interviews last approximately 20-25 minutes.
Candidates’ understanding of themes related to the Mandarin language learning and associated research may be explored. Candidates may be asked to outline their research interests and how these might be developed during the independent project element of the course, although students are not expected to already have a fully developed research plan. This will be developed in discussion with successful applicants’ supervisors once they have started the course. Candidates may also be asked why they want to study in this area and the reasons why this particular course is of interest.
Offer conditions for successful applications
If you receive an offer of a place at Oxford, your offer will outline any conditions that you need to satisfy and any actions you need to take, together with any associated deadlines. These may include academic conditions, such as achieving a specific final grade in your current degree course. These conditions will usually depend on your individual academic circumstances and may vary between applicants. Our 'After you apply' pages provide more information about offers and conditions.
In addition to any academic conditions which are set, you will also be required to meet the following requirements:
Financial Declaration
If you are offered a place, you will be required to complete a Financial Declaration in order to meet your financial condition of admission.
Disclosure of criminal convictions
In accordance with the University’s obligations towards students and staff, we will ask you to declare any relevant, unspent criminal convictions before you can take up a place at Oxford.
Evidence of ability to study for employed part-time applicants
If you are currently employed, you may be asked to provide evidence that your employment will not affect your ability to study and that you can commit sufficient time to fulfil all elements outlined in the course description. You may be asked to provide details about your pattern of employment and obtain a statement from your employer confirming their commitment to make time available for you to study, eg to complete coursework, and attend course and University events and modules.
Permission to use data obtained through your employment
If you are embarking on study with the support of your employer and intend to use data obtained through your employment, evidence should be provided of permission to use your employers’ data in your proposed research project.
Other factors governing whether places can be offered
The following factors will also govern whether candidates can be offered places:
- the ability of the University to provide the appropriate supervision for your studies, as outlined under the 'Supervision' heading in the About section of this page;
- the ability of the University to provide appropriate support for your studies (eg through the provision of facilities, resources, teaching and/or research opportunities); and
- minimum and maximum limits to the numbers of students who may be admitted to the University's taught and research programmes.
Funding
For this course, we recommend that you visit our dedicated funding pages which include details of a range of external funding and loan schemes for postgraduate study. Some scholarships may also be available through our fees, funding and scholarship search tool. You should review the information carefully, including the eligibility criteria and application deadlines, noting that not all funding opportunities are available for postgraduate diploma and postgraduate certificate courses.
Costs
Annual course fees
The fees for this course are charged on an annual basis.
Fees for the 2026-27 academic year at the University of Oxford
Fee status | Annual Course fees |
| Home | £6,450 |
| Overseas | £10,550 |
What do course fees cover?
Course fees cover your teaching as well as other academic services and facilities provided to support your studies. Unless specified in the additional information section below, course fees do not cover your accommodation, residential costs or other living costs. They also don’t cover any additional costs and charges that are outlined in the additional costs information below.
How long do I need to pay course fees?
Course fees are payable each year, for the duration of your fee liability (your fee liability is the length of time for which you are required to pay course fees). For courses lasting longer than one year fees will usually increase annually, as explained in the University’s Terms and Conditions.
Where can I find more information about fees?
Our fees and other charges pages provide further information, including details about:
- course fees and fee liability;
- how your fee status is determined; and
- changes to fees and other charges.
Information about how much fees and other costs will usually increase each academic year is set out in the University's Terms and Conditions.
Additional costs
Please note that this course requires that you attend in Oxford for induction week, and you may incur additional travel and accommodation expenses for this. The average cost of a hotel room in Oxford is around £150 per night, although the price will vary depending on the type of accommodation, time of year and day of the week. You should also factor in costs for meals during your stay. In addition, as part of the course requirements, you will need to choose a project topic. This element of the course is mandatory and forms part of the assessment for the course. Depending on your choice of topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur additional expenses, such as travel expenses (transport, accommodation, meals), research expenses, equipment, materials and field trips. These costs will vary according to the location and length of fieldwork. You will need to meet these additional costs yourself. Many students complete their projects in their regular places of work and so incur no extra costs. There are no other compulsory elements of this course that entail additional costs beyond fees and living costs.
Living costs
In addition to your course fees and any additional course-specific costs, you will need to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course.
Living costs for part-time study
Your living costs may vary depending on your personal circumstances but you will still need to cover your cost of living on a full-time basis for the duration of your course, even if you will not be based in Oxford throughout your studies. While the range of likely living costs for a single, full-time student living in Oxford in the 2026-27 academic year is between £1,405 and £2,105 per month, living costs outside Oxford may be different.
Part-time students who are not based in Oxford will need to calculate travel and accommodation costs carefully. Depending on your circumstances and study plans, this may include the cost of a visitor visa to attend for short blocks of time (if visitor visa eligibility criteria are met).
Further information about living costs
The current economic climate and periods of high national inflation in recent years make it harder to estimate potential changes to the cost of living over the next few years. For study in Oxford beyond the 2026-27 academic year, it is suggested that you budget for potential increases in living expenses of around 4% each year – although this rate may vary depending on the national economic situation.
A breakdown of likely living costs for one month during the 2026-27 academic year are shown below. These costs are based on a single, full-time graduate student, with no dependants, living in Oxford.
| Lower range | Upper range | |
|---|---|---|
| Food | £315 | £545 |
| Accommodation | £825 | £990 |
| Personal items | £160 | £310 |
| Social activities | £50 | £130 |
| Study costs | £35 | £90 |
| Other | £20 | £40 |
| Total | £1,405 | £2,105 |
For information about how these figures have been calculated as well as tables showing the likely living costs for nine and twelve months, please refer to the living costs page of our website.
College preference
Matriculation confers membership of the University on students. Students who enrol on this course will not be matriculated and will not become a member of an Oxford college. Although not formally members of the University, non-matriculated students are expected to observe the same rules and regulations as matriculated students. Further information about matriculation is available on the Oxford Students website.
Before you apply
Our guide to getting started provides general advice on how to prepare for and start your application, including advice to help you evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive.
If it is important for you to have your application considered under a particular deadline – eg under the January deadline in order to be considered for Oxford scholarships – we recommend that you aim to complete and submit your application at least two weeks in advance. Check the deadlines on this page and the information about deadlines and when to apply in our Application Guide.
Application fee waivers
An application fee of £75 is payable for each application to this course. Application fee waivers are available for the following applicants who meet the eligibility criteria:
- applicants from low-income countries;
- refugees and displaced persons;
- UK applicants from low-income backgrounds; and
- applicants who applied for our Graduate Access Programmes in the past two years and met the eligibility criteria.
You are encouraged to check whether you're eligible for an application fee waiver before you apply.
Do I need to contact anyone before I apply?
You do not need to contact the department before you apply but you are encouraged to visit the relevant departmental webpages to read any further information about your chosen course.
Informal enquires can be made to the department's course administrator in the first instance.
You are not expected to contact academic members of staff before you apply.
Completing your application
You should refer to the information below when completing the application form, paying attention to the specific requirements for the supporting documents.
For this course, the application form will include questions that collect information that would usually be included in a CV/résumé. You should not upload a separate document. If a separate CV/résumé is uploaded, it will be removed from your application.
If any document does not meet the specification, including the stipulated word count, your application may be considered incomplete and not assessed by the academic department. Expand each section to show further details.
Referees:
Three overall, of which at least two must be academic
Whilst you must register three referees, the department may start the assessment of your application if two of the three references are submitted by the course deadline and your application is otherwise complete. Please note that you may still be required to ensure your third referee supplies a reference for consideration.
Your references will be assessed for your intellectual ability, your motivation and interest in the course and subject area, and your ability to work effectively in both a group and independently.
Official transcript(s)
Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date. You should only upload official documents issued by your institution and any transcript not in English should be accompanied by a certified translation.
More information about the transcript requirement is available in the Application Guide.
Personal statement:
A maximum of 750 words
Your statement should be written in English and explain your motivation for applying for the course at Oxford, your relevant experience and education, and the specific areas that interest you and/or you intend to specialise in.
If possible, please ensure that the word count is clearly displayed on the document.
This will be assessed for:
- your reasons for applying
- your ability to present a coherent case in proficient English
- your commitment to the subject, beyond the requirements of the degree course
- your preliminary knowledge of the subject area
- your capacity for sustained and intense work.
Written work:
Two essays of a maximum of 2,000 words each
Academic essays or other writing samples, from your most recent academic qualification, typed and written in English, are required. These can be excerpts from a longer work such as chapters from a dissertation, in which case they should be prefaced by a note which puts them in context. The written work should be related to the subject you propose to study.
If possible, please ensure that the word count is clearly displayed on the document.
The word count does not need to include any bibliography, brief footnotes, captions, titles or legends that are applied to images, tables or charts.
The written work will be assessed for:
- a comprehensive understanding of the subject area, including problems and developments in the subject
- your ability to construct and defend an argument
- your aptitude for analysis and expression
- your ability to present a reasoned case in proficient academic English.
Start or continue your application
You can start or return to an application using the relevant link below. As you complete the form, please refer to the requirements above and consult our Application Guide for advice.
After you've submitted your application
Your application (including the supporting documents outlined above) will be assessed against the entry requirements detailed on this course page. Whether or not you have secured funding will not be taken into consideration when your application is assessed. You can find out more about our shortlisting and selection process in our detailed guide to what happens next.
Find out how to manage your application after submission, using our Applicant Self-Service tool.