Integrated year abroad Chinese Studies MA (joint degree) 2025 entry

It is possible for students applying for the MA (joint degree) in Chinese Studies to work abroad in a Chinese-speaking country between their second and third year of study. This adds an extra year to the MA (joint degree) course, making it five years in total length.

Students who spend a year abroad not only gain valuable work experience as teachers and tutors, but also develop their linguistic skills, intercultural competence, and self-confidence.

The year abroad experience is competitive and is not guaranteed. Places are judged on merit during the second year of study, and therefore this does not take into account the initial UCAS application. If students are unsuccessful with their year abroad application, they will be moved to the four-year Chinese Studies MA joint degree programme.

UCAS code
T102
Start date
September 2025
End date
June 2030
Duration
Five years full time
School
Department of Chinese Studies
How to apply Register your interest

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for Chinese Studies with a year abroad are the same as for the Chinese Studies MA (joint degree), however, to be eligible for Chinese Studies with a year abroad, students must gain Honours entry in all subjects that they intend on taking at Honours level. Students who do not achieve entry to Honours-level in their chosen subjects must withdraw from their selected year abroad destination at that point.

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry on to our programmes, please see our entry requirements for more information.

For degrees combining more than one subject, the subject with the higher entry requirements determines the grades you need. You will also need to meet any further subject specific entrance requirements as outlined on their pages.

International applicants

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. Find out more about English language requirements.

Do I need to have studied this subject before?

No prior knowledge of Chinese is necessary, however, students who have already studied Chinese (Scottish Advanced Highers, A-Level, Cambridge Pre-U, IB) or have an equivalent level of prior Chinese language study may be admitted to our “prior learners” modules.

Course details

The MA (joint degree) in Chinese Studies with an integrated year abroad follows the same course structure as the Chinese Studies MA (joint degree), with the addition of a year abroad between the second and third year of study.

During their integrated year abroad, students are required to take the following compulsory module:

  • Chinese Studies Integrated Year Abroad: language learning and cultural familiarisation through a work placement in China. Placements will be as language assistants in schools or on other assignments approved by the Department.

More information about the Chinese Studies modules currently on offer can be found in the module catalogue.

Fees are the same as those for the Chinese Studies MA.

What to do next

Online information events

Join us for one of our information events where you can find out about different levels of study and specific courses we run. There are also sessions available for parents and college counsellors.

Undergraduate visiting days

We encourage all students who are thinking of applying to the University to attend one of our online or in-person visiting days.

Contact us

Phone
+44 (0)1334 46 2961
Email
chinesehod@st-andrews.ac.uk
Address
Department of Chinese Studies

School of Modern Languages
University of St Andrews
Buchanan Building
Union Street
St Andrews
KY16 9PH

Department of Chinese Studies website