This course offers you the unique opportunity to acquire advanced language skills in Chinese and the emphasis throughout your studies will be on the active use of Chinese and on practical skills you can later transfer to the working environment. You will study modern standard Chinese, also known as Mandarin. If you choose Chinese as a joint subject, you will spend a year or a semester in China in your third year. Even if you choose to take Chinese as a minor subject, you will still have the opportunity to study in China, should you wish.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

2010 places may still be available please contact our course enquiries team regarding entry requirements as these may differ from 2011.

The University's minimum standard entry requirement for degree-level study is a 12-unit profile, made up from one of the following:

• At least two A2-level subjects
• One A2-level subject plus one single award Advanced VCE
• One double or two single award(s) Advanced VCE

Other acceptable qualifications include:

• Scottish Certificate of Education Higher Grade
• Irish Leaving Certificate Higher Grade
• International Baccalaureate
• BTEC National Certificate/Diploma
• Access to HE Diploma

Applicants should be aware that the points or grade requirements for many courses must be met by A2 level qualifications. Please note, in some cases A/S points will not be taken into consideration

Applications from individuals with non-standard qualifications or relevant work / life experience who can demonstrate the ability to cope with and benefit from degree-level studies are welcome. If you have not studied recently you may need to undertake a Foundation Entry programme first. For details of those offered by the University please contact Enquiry Management on 01772 892400.

Specific entry requirements

260-300 points plus GCSE in a foreign language at grade C are required for this course.

Course Content

With its growing economic power and political influence, China is becoming one of the major powers in the world. In the past two decades more and more UK companies have been exploring and investing in China, the world’s biggest market. The expanding links in trade and cultural exchanges mean that graduates with an advanced command of the Chinese language and a good understanding of its culture and society are in big demand. Apart from offering you better job prospects, Chinese language and culture are fascinating to study in their own rights. Lectures and Seminars on contemporary Chinese culture and society will introduce you to this vast land and its diverse culture created by five thousand years of continued civilisation.

Mandarin is the type of Chinese you will study in this course. The language classes will have a very practical focus, enabling you to communicate effectively with native speakers in situations in which you are likely to find yourself whilst in China. You will also study the simplified version of Chinese characters. This completely different script is the most challenging and fascinating aspect of the Chinese language. Plenty of guidance and support will be made available. In addition to the language modules, you will also study aspects of Chinese culture and contemporary society. You will be encouraged to develop critical thinking through the background module.
The writing system and the sound system of Chinese are very different to European languages, making the study of Chinese a challenging but illuminating experience. The Chinese team will provide you with continued support. You will also have access to our excellent Worldwise Learning centre where Chinese software, satellite TV with Chinese channels, audio/visual and printed materials are available.

Course at a Glance

Assessment:

Assessment is via coursework, group work, presentations and in-class tests as well as formal examinations. A final year dissertation is also a requirement of this programme.

Learning Environment:

You will be introduced to a wide range of teaching methods including lectures, language practice, case studies, problem solving tasks, group and individual presentations. You will be expected to be responsible for your own learning and become an independent, creative thinker.

Careers:

This course is particularly suitable for entry to some MA courses like linguistics and advanced translation. With your Chinese language skills you will be a strong candidate for postgraduate area study courses like Asia Pacific/East Asian and Chinese studies. Graduates find jobs in teaching, the civil service and mostly in the business world.

Other Opportunities:

Chinese is offered as a minor and joint route. Both routes consist of Stage 1 and 2. Students on the joint route spend their third year in China while Minor students do not. Good preparation for the background module would be to read any recent general introduction to China.

Money Matters

For guidance, in 2010 the University's tuition fees for full-time undergraduate courses are £3290, but are subject to increase in line with inflation. You can choose to take out a loan and pay after graduation when you are earning over a certain amount, currently £15,000 per year.

In addition, for 2010 entry UCLan is offering bursaries worth £500 to all UK full time first year undergraduate students, where the principal earner's gross salary is less than £60,000 a year. Where students qualify for the maximum maintenance grant, this will be £319. There will also be Excellence scholarships available in some specialist areas, Achievement Grants and funding available via UCLan Plus to support a wide range of curriculum activities.

For further information on UCLan scholarships and bursaries, visit our website www.uclan.ac.uk/fees or Telephone: 01772 892400. For general information about university tuition fees and scholarships visit www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport and www.aimhigher.ac.uk/student_finance/index

Special fees apply for non-EU overseas students.

Details of current fees are available from
Enquiry Management,
University of Central Lancashire,
Preston,
PR1 2HE,
United Kingdom,
Email: uadmissions@uclan.ac.uk or Telephone: 01772 892400