Chinese Studies OR Japanese Studies BA Honours (TT12)

Our degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for an academic year and you need to complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage.

Programme modules do change and therefore may differ for your year of entry.

You take the following introductory cultural modules:

• CHN1005 Introduction to Chinese Culture
• JPN1005 Introduction to Japanese History and Culture

You also take modules in either Chinese or Japanese, appropriate to your current level of language skill:

• Entry level Chinese - CHN1065 Level A Chinese I AND CHN1066 Level A Chinese II
• Intermediate Chinese - CHN2010 Level B Chinese
• Entry level Japanese - JPN1065 Level A Japanese I AND JPN1004 Level A Japanese II
• Intermediate Japanese - JPN2010 Level B Japanese

In addition, you choose two from this list of optional modules:

• GEO1010 Interconnected World
• HIS1025 World Empires
• POL1032 Introduction to International Politics
• SML1021 Introduction to International Film
• SML1022 Introduction to Cultural Studies
• SOC1032 Politics and Society

You increase your language skills by choosing one of the following modules, in either Chinese or Japanese, that builds on your level of language skill:

• Intermediate Chinese - CHN2010 Level B Chinese
• Advanced Chinese - CHN4010 Level C Chinese
• Intermediate Japanese - JPN2010 Level B Japanese
• Advanced Japanese - JPN4010 Level C Japanese

You also choose two modules from this list:

• CHN2004 Contemporary Chinese Society
• JPN2004 Contemporary Japanese Popular Culture
• SML2011 Cities in East Asian Cinema

And two modules from this list:

• CHN2004 Contemporary Chinese Society
• GEO2047 Political Geography
• HIS2140 Survey History of Japan
• JPN2004 Contemporary Japanese Popular Culture
• POL2078 Critical International Politics
• SML2011 Cities in East Asian Cinema

You spend Stage 3 in China or Japan, where you follow a programme of intensive language study in your chosen language. You also take the following modules:

• SML3004 Year Abroad ePortfolio
• SML3006 Study Abroad

You increase your language skills by choosing one of the following modules, in either Chinese or Japanese, that builds on your level of language skill:

• Advanced Chinese - CHN4010 Level C Chinese
• Further advanced Chinese - CHN4061 Level D Chinese
• Advanced Japanese - JPN4010 Level C Japanese
• Further advanced Japanese - JPN4061 Level D Japanese

You also choose two modules from the list below:

• CHN4004 Ethnicity and Nationalisms in Contemporary China
• CHN4009 Gender and Media in Modern China
• JPN4002 Contemporary Japanese Animation
• JPN4006 Literary and Cultural Expressions in Contemporary Japan

And two modules from this list:

• CHN4004 Ethnicity and Nationalisms in Contemporary China
• CHN4009 Gender and Media in Modern China
• GEO3102 Geopolitics
• HIS3131 China in Revolution
• JPN4002 Contemporary Japanese Animation
• JPN4006 Literary and Cultural Expressions in Contemporary Japan
• POL3100 History of World Political Thought
• POL3104 The Fall and Rise of China
• SML4099 Dissertation

Most people study modern languages because of their interest and ability in the subject. Comparatively few go directly into careers in which a language degree is essential – such as translating, interpreting, aspects of publishing, or teaching. Many graduates instead go into jobs in which their language skills are desirable, such as the media, hospitality and leisure, areas of finance, or journalism.

With ever more European and international connections, such skills will grow in importance and can give you a real advantage in applying for a wide range of graduate jobs.

Ability in languages is increasingly valued by a wide range of employers across all sectors, including industry and business. They recognise that a degree in modern languages is evidence not only of linguistic skills and cultural awareness, but also of other personal transferable skills needed in employment.

You will develop the self-confidence to communicate orally as well as on paper, to work effectively in a group, to organise and plan your work and to find solutions to problems by critical, logical and creative thinking. Consequently our graduates find work in diverse areas such as tourism, marketing, management, civil service, advertising and the media, teaching and banking.

The School of Modern Languages works with the University’s Careers Service to run an annual Employability Week, including an opportunity to network with recent graduates. We also collaborate on the Modern Languages careers blog, Careers Translated. The blog gives you access to a range of relevant jobs, training and work experience opportunities, as well as interviews with alumni and employers, and general advice.

Find out more about the career options for Modern Languages from Prospects: The UK's Official Careers Website.