Modern Chinese Studies MPhil

The MPhil in Modern Chinese Studies is suitable for graduates who have developed an interest in China and now want to take that to a level where it could be useful for their future careers. It can be taken either as a terminal degree in preparation for professional work in which knowledge of China and Chinese is an advantage, or in preparation for further research as part of a doctoral degree in either the humanities or social sciences.

The aims of the course are to provide a strong grounding in modern Chinese language, both written and spoken, a strong foundation in understanding modern Chinese society and culture, and advanced training in conducting and reporting on independent and original research.

Knowing the Chinese language is essential for anyone who wants to understand China and the course is designed to provide this at both elementary and intermediate levels. You will be allocated to the appropriate level by a placement test on arrival.

Elementary level will be for students who are complete beginners or are false beginners, but not up to the next level. Students are taught reading, writing and translation skills as well as speaking and listening. Intermediate level will be for students who have excelled at the beginner level, are confident in daily communication and able to recognise and write about 500 to 550 Chinese characters. Students must have learnt most of the main grammar points to enter the intermediate level.

Due to the intensive language teaching element of the course, this degree is not appropriate for applicants with fluent or native Chinese language ability. Instead they are encouraged to apply for the MSc in Contemporary Chinese Studies degree.

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 overall structure of the course is as follows:

1. Chinese Language at level 1 (elementary) or level 2 (intermediate). Candidates will be allocated to these levels by a placement test
2. Compulsory core course on The Study of Contemporary China (SOCC)
3. Methodology Training: Candidates can choose between two courses focused on either social sciences or humanities approaches to modern China
4. Elective papers: Candidates must choose two option papers, one per year
5. Thesis of 20,000 words

You will spend the first year of the course in Oxford, studying Chinese language alongside core classes in the interdisciplinary study of China and either research methods in the social sciences or Modern China Humanities. You will choose from a range of options, shared with the MSc in Contemporary Chinese Studies, which allow you opportunities to acquire advanced knowledge of the society, politics, economics, international relations, history, literature and art of modern China.

The Oxford China Centre organises weekly seminars during term-time. You should regard attendance at these seminars as an integral part of your programme. In addition, research seminars about China are organised in departments and colleges across Oxford.

The first part of the second year consists of a period of at least three months on an approved course of language study in mainland China or Taiwan. In addition, the second year consists of continued coursework as well as independent research that culminates in a thesis.

As this course involves language learning in addition to core and option courses, you will have a large number of classroom hours. The exact number of hours per week varies according to the level of language learning. However, whatever the level, students find that most of their time throughout the two years is taken up with classes and the regular preparation and homework required for those classes.

Assessment

The Chinese language course is assessed by written and oral examinations.

Assessment for Research Methods (Social Science track) 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.

Assessment for Modern China Humanities (the humanities Research Methods course) comprises two essays, each weighted equally, with the first essay being submitted at the end of Michaelmas Term and the second 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, students complete a dissertation in their second year which includes the requirement to conduct research using original Chinese language sources.