Chinese and Russian A BA

A joint honours degree allows you to study the same core topics as students on each single honours course, but you’ll take fewer options and discovery modules so you can fit in both subjects. You’ll study one of our cornerstone modules in Year 1 to draw your two subjects together, and apply your knowledge and skills to a major research project in either subject in your final year.

Chinese

In your first year core modules will develop your Chinese language skills. You’ll also choose from optional modules introducing Chinese history, culture and religious traditions. Then you’ll spend a year studying in China to improve your language skills and experience the local culture, and return to advanced language classes over the next two years. You’ll also choose from optional modules from Cantonese to Sino-Japanese relations.

Russian A

In your first year you’ll study core modules that will improve your written and spoken Russian, and you’ll also be introduced to Russian culture and literature. You’ll then spend a year studying in Russia to refine your skills and gain a deeper insight into Russian life. When you return, you’ll take advanced language classes over the next two years, and choose from optional modules on topics such as 19th century literature, new media in Russia and translation.


Modules

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Basic Chinese Language 1
• Basic Chinese Language 2
• Core Russian Language 1

Optional modules

• Persian for Beginners
• Turkish for Beginners
• Arabic for Beginners
• Intermediate Ancient Greek
• History and Culture of Imperial China
• History and Culture of Early Imperial China
• History and Culture of Late Imperial China
• Beginners Korean
• Beginners Japanese
• Elementary Japanese
• Advanced German
• Beginners Italian 20 credits, Semester 1
• Beginners Italian 20 credits, Semester 2
• LCS Academic Essentials
• Text and Context: Introduction to Russian Literature
• Beginners Czech
• Practical Language Skills in Spanish 1
• Beginners Portuguese
• Intermediate Spanish (B1 of the CEFR)
• Catalan Language and Culture I

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Year Abroad in China

Year 4
Compulsory modules

• Chinese 2A
• Chinese 2B
• Core Russian Language 2

Optional modules

• China Since 1979
• Japan's International Relations
• The Making of Modern Thailand
• Japanese Cinema in the World
• Research Placement2
• Applied Russian Language 2
• Not by Bread Alone: Everyday Culture under the Soviet Regime
• The Sounds of Russian

Year 5

Compulsory modules

• You are required to study one Final Year Project module
• Chinese 3: Advanced Skills
• Core Russian Language 3

Optional modules

• Classics of Chinese Literature and Thought
• Chinese Oral and Performance Traditions
• Religion in China
• Chinese Literature 1912 - 1949
• Chinese Language for International Trade and Business
• Classical Chinese
• Japanese Cinema in the World
• Sino-Japanese Relations: Past and Present
• Korea: Politics, Economy and International Relations
• Practical Chinese-English Translation
• Final Year Project: Dissertation
• Final Year Project: Extended Essay
• Final Year Project: Translation
• Final Year Project: Extended Translation
• Russian (New) Media
• Russian Advanced Translation