One of the most prestigious universities in the UK has unveiled a new degree programme that has been designed to enable students to find work in China upon graduation. With one year spent studying Mandarin at a leading university in China, the new Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Studies from Durham University will not only feature compulsory language learning, but will also offer core courses in Chinese culture and history.
The university, which says it is ranked in the top 5 in the UK overall, and 15th in the world for employability, has designed the programme to equip students with the high-level language competence, cultural knowledge and disciplinary skills that recruiters require when looking to hire for work related to China.
Unlike conventional Chinese programmes, this course will be taught across different departments, states the university.
Professor Seth Kunin, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Arts & Humanities) said, “Modern China is not a place that can be understood by language alone and so we have designed a programme to give our students the competitive edge they need to get ahead in one of the world’s most dynamic economies.”
He said the multidisciplinary degree will enable our graduates to engage confidently and competently with China in a broad range of professional capacities.
“Graduates from the programme will be very attractive to employers because the programme offers crucial critical thinking and research skills on top of high-level language learning. At a wider level the programme will embed knowledge of China across departments and expand vital knowledge of the world’s emerging economic and political superpower.”
Students on the degree programme will spend a year at either Peking University; Tsinghua University or Zhejiang University.
