Contemporary Chinese Studies MSc
About
The course is designed to provide high quality graduate research training with an emphasis on an appreciation of research methods and on deepening your understanding of contemporary China.
You will develop or extend your knowledge and understanding of:
- the key approaches to the social scientific study of modern and contemporary China
- research methods, strategies and ethics that will be of relevance to the social scientific study of China
- critical analysis of sources and ability to present findings effectively, both verbally and in sustained writing exercises
- framing and executing a workable research topic
- interdisciplinary research and its potential.
Modules involve lectures as well as seminar or class discussions, for both of which you will receive reading lists. It is a fundamental component of the Oxford educational system that you engage in individual reading and study in order to broaden and deepen your knowledge of your chosen field. You will also have the opportunity to meet with a supervisor on a one-to-one basis, to help guide you in your dissertation research. In addition to your supervisor, other staff members will be available to advise you on reading, literature and topics. Students normally have some familiarity with Chinese language.
Course structure
An overview of the course structure is provided below. Details of the compulsory and optional elements of the course are provided in the Course components section of this page.
The teaching on the MSc course is built around two core courses.
In addition to the two core courses you will choose two option courses and complete a research dissertation.
The overall structure of the course is as follows:
- Compulsory core course on The Study of Contemporary China
- Compulsory core course in Research Methods for Area Studies
- Two elective papers
- Research supervision in preparation for a 12,000 word thesis.
Assessment
Assessment for Research Methods comprises two parts, each weighted equally: a take-home paper in the collection and analysis of qualitative data at the end of Michaelmas term, and a take-home paper in quantitative analysis at the end of Hilary term.
The Study of Contemporary China core course is assessed by one unseen exam at the beginning of Hilary term. Option courses are assessed by either unseen exams or officially submitted essays in Trinity term.
Finally, from the start of Michaelmas term and continuing across the next two terms, including during the Easter vacation, until submission on Friday of Week 6 of Trinity term, you will research and write a dissertation on a topic of your choosing, subject to approval by the Graduate Studies Committee. Your research topic for your dissertation will be formally approved by your supervisor and Course Director during Michaelmas term.
How to apply
Resources for study
As a graduate student, you will have access to the University's wide range of resources including libraries, museums, galleries, digital resources and IT services.
The Bodleian Libraries is the largest library system in the UK. It includes the main Bodleian Library and libraries across Oxford, including major research libraries and faculty, department and institute libraries. Together, the Libraries hold more than 13 million printed items, provide access to e-journals, and contain outstanding special collections including rare books and manuscripts, classical papyri, maps, music, art and printed ephemera.
The University's IT Services is available to all students to support with core university IT systems and tools, as well as many other services and facilities. IT Services also offers a range of IT learning courses for students to support with learning and research, as well as guidance on what technology to bring with you as a new student at Oxford.
The Dickson Poon University of Oxford China Centre building, based on Canterbury Road, brings together academics drawn from across a range of disciplines, who have in common research and teaching interests related to China. The building has a lecture theatre, a dining area and a range of conference and seminar facilities. These facilities provide opportunities for interaction with students on a range of China-related degrees as well as lectures and other academic activities.
The Bodleian Chinese Studies Library and the Bodleian Social Science Library are the main read-only and lending services respectively, for the material you will require. Reading lists and copies of course PowerPoint slides will be made available to you on Canvas across the academic year. In addition to this, there is a world-renowned collection of Chinese rare books housed in the Bodleian Oriental collections and the superb collections of the Ashmolean Museum.
Funding
Applying for Oxford funding
For the majority of Oxford scholarships, all you need to do is submit your graduate application by the January deadline for your course. There’s no separate scholarship application process or extra supporting documentation required for funding. Based on the information supplied in your graduate application, you will be automatically considered for scholarships where you meet the eligibility criteria with most scholarships using academic merit and/or potential as the basis on which award decisions are made.
However, please note, in addition to submitting an application form for your chosen course, the scholarships listed on the following page also require an additional application to be considered for them.
Faculty funding
The Faculty has a limited number of funding across its wide range of subject areas. Please see opportunities that are currently known to the Faculty and which may be available in the current admissions cycle. It is possible that further scholarships may become available at a later point.
