History and Contemporary Chinese Studies, BA (Hons)

This joint honours programme enables students passionate about history and Chinese language to pursue both disciplines seamlessly. It offers an intensive Mandarin course tailored to your entry level, advancing you to proficiency or research level over four years. You will divide your time equally between history and Chinese studies, exploring human experiences through historical inquiry while developing advanced language skills. The programme includes a year abroad in China, providing immersion in culture and language, fostering independence and confidence that enhances personal and academic growth. In the final year, you undertake a specialised history study based on primary sources and can balance credits between history and contemporary Chinese studies.The curriculum begins with foundational Mandarin modules for beginners or intermediates, alongside introductions to Chinese culture and historical methods. In subsequent years, you advance language skills and explore Chinese contemporary history, while selecting from a wide range of history modules spanning medieval to modern periods. The third year at our Ningbo campus focuses on language practice, Chinese history, and employability. Returning for the final year, you may opt for a dissertation in either field, tailoring your studies to personal interests.

In year one Chinese you will begin a structured course in Mandarin Chinese. For beginners’ in Mandarin this module will be a basis to lead you from beginners' stage to advanced level; if you begin the degree having previously studied Mandarin you will be placed on modules at an appropriate level. Depending on progress during the degree, you may reach proficiency or research level. You will also take a module introducing you to Chinese culture and institutions. In history, the Learning History core module will introduce you to the discipline's practical and theoretical elements and you will choose optional modules from the early medieval period to the 20th century. In year two you will consolidate your language studies in Mandarin at the appropriate level (intermediate or advanced or proficiency) and study modules on Chinese contemporary history and culture. In History, you will take two optional modules from a broad range, covering an extremely wide chronological and geographical range. You will spend your third academic year at our campus in Ningbo, where you will have the opportunity to practise your Mandarin skills and explore Chinese culture. You will follow a combination of language, Chinese history and employability options relevant to your level of experience in Mandarin. In your final year back at Nottingham you will weight your credits towards History or Contemporary Chinese studies according to your preference – either 80 credits in History and 40 in Contemporary Chinese studies, or vice versa. You will practise your Mandarin skills in increasingly sophisticated contexts and may choose to study optional modules in Contemporary Chinese studies, including the option of a dissertation. In history, you will get to grips with historical work during the year-long Special Subject study, based on primary sources, and if you take more credits in History, you will also write a dissertation.