School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London

What you'll study

Study is modular and credit-based (120 credits per year). Typical year-by-year structure:

• Year 1: normally 60 credits of language (Elementary or Intermediate pathways), 45 credits of culture/history modules and 15 credits of academic writing. Example language modules: Ch100 Elementary Chinese A & B (30 credits each) or Ch200 Intermediate Chinese A & B (15 credits each). Compulsory cultural modules include 'China in Ten Words: Key Concepts in Chinese Studies' and 'Humanities Toolkit'. Guided options include modules such as 'Languages of the World', 'Sounds, grammar and meaning in language', 'East Asian Civilizations A/B', and themed options like 'Cool Japan: Manga, Anime, Sushi'.
• Year 2: further modern language study and an introduction to classical and literary Chinese. Core/available modules include Chinese 4A/4B and Ch200 where applicable; compulsory 'Classical and Literary Chinese 1' and 'Applied Humanities'. Guided options (choose 30–60 credits) include 'Contemporary Chinese Society', 'East Asian Cinema', 'Myths, Legends and Folkways of East Asia', 'East Asian Imperialisms', and 'Gender in East Asian Literature'.
• Year 3: year abroad in China or Taiwan. Single-subject students are required to take on-site modules such as Newspaper Reading (baokan 报刊), Reading and Writing (duxie 读写), Conversation (huihua 会话) and Listening (tingli 听力).
• Year 4: advanced language and translation plus an Independent Study Project (capstone). Compulsory modules include Ch400 Advanced Chinese, Ch401 Chinese–English Translation and a 30-credit Capstone Project. Additional options include 'The History of Feminism in China', 'History and Memory in East Asian Cultures', 'Culture and Society of Taiwan', and 'Literature, Politics and National Identity in Modern China'.

Teaching is in modules of 60, 30 or 15 credits taught over 10 or 20 weeks. As a guide, 1 credit equates to roughly 10 hours of work, most of which is independent study; language modules carry more contact hours.

Entry requirements

Typical offer: ABB, with a contextual offer of BBB. Applicants must also meet SOAS undergraduate entry and English language requirements; international and alternative entry routes are noted by the school.

Career prospects

Graduates gain intercultural communication, analysis and advanced Chinese language skills. The department highlights strong employer demand for specialists in Chinese languages and regional knowledge. Recent employers of graduates include Accenture, Amazon, Bloomberg LP, Department for Work and Pensions, European Commission, Google, ITN, KPMG, Mizuho Bank, Nanjing Museum, PwC, UNDP and various government and education organisations. The school also signposts its Careers Service for further support.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

Published annual tuition for 2025/26 entrants is listed as £9,790 for Home students and £23,780 for Overseas students; the language year abroad fee is listed separately (£1,425 Home; £11,770 Overseas). The website notes fees may increase each year and directs students to full undergraduate fees and the SOAS Careers Service for funding and employability guidance.