MA Sinology (Chinese Literature Exit Award)

Start of programme: From 2017 this Programme will no longer be running in its current form, but will be integrated in the MA Sinology Programme.

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

This programme enables students to engage critically with the varied aspects of Chinese literature.

This programme covers both pre-modern and modern literatures of China. It includes the study of literary works written in the original languages, as well as an introduction to literary theory.

For students on this programme the dissertation must be on a subject in Chinese Literature.

Students take 180 credits, 60 of which are a dissertation and a 120 from taught modules. For students on a literature pathway, the dissertation must be on a subject in Chinese Literature.

All modules are subject to availability.

Compulsory Module

Students must take 30 credits from the list below. You may take more.

Compulsory Modules

Student must take both modules below.

Optional Modules

Student must take 30 credits from the list below. You may take more.

Optional Modules

Students may take 30 credits from the list below. Please note that some of the modules listed below may have a language requirement.

This is the structure for 2017/18 applicants

Programme Specification

• MA Chinese Literature - Programme Specifications 2012/13 (pdf; 28kb)
• MA Sinology (Literature Pathway) - Programme Specifiations 2017/18 (pdf; 143kb)

Disclaimer

Teaching & Learning

Knowledge

• To obtain a solid knowledge of the texts and contexts of modern and traditional Chinese literature.
• To translate and interpret different writing styles and genres.
• To obtain a thorough grounding in the theories and techniques of comparative literature.

Intellectual (thinking) skills

• Students should become able to assess data and evidence critically from manuscripts and digital sources, solve problems of conflicting sources and interpretations, locate materials, and use research sources.
• Students should become aware of culturally essentialist and/or Eurocentric models of analysis of non-Western literatures and cultures and related intellectual debates, and acquire the intellectual skills to assess them critically.
• Students should become aware of and think through the problems involved in applying a mainly “Western” body of literary theory to Chinese texts.
• Students should become able to question interpretations, however authoritative, and reassess evidence independently.

Subject-based practical skills

• Communicate effectively in writing.
• Present seminar papers in an effective manner.
• Discuss ideas introduced during seminars.
• Practice research techniques in a variety of specialized research libraries and institutes.
• Exercise and increase their reading ability in modern and/or classical Chinese.

Transferrable skills

The programme will encourage students to:

• Write good essays and dissertations.
• Structure and communicate ideas effectively both orally and in writing.
• Understand unconventional ideas.
• Study a variety of written and digital materials that they will not have been exposed to as undergraduates.

Tuition Fees

Full details of postgraduate tuition fees can be found on the Registry's Postgraduate Tuition Fees page.

This is a Band 1 tuition fee.

Fees for 2017/18 entrants. The fees below are per academic year. Please note that fees go up each year. 

Scholarships

For further details and information on external scholarships visit the Scholarships section

A postgraduate degree in Chinese Literature from SOAS equips students with essential skills such as competency in language skills and intercultural awareness and understanding. Familiarity with the region will have been developed through the indepth study of Chinese Literature, both pre-modern and modern and the study of literary theory in relation to this literature.  

Postgraduate students gain linguistic and cultural expertise enabling them to continue in the field of research or to seek professional and management careers in business, public and charity sectors. They leave SOAS with a portfolio of widely transferable skills which employers seek, including written and oral communication skills; attention to detail; analytical and problem solving skills; and the ability to research, amass and order information from a variety of sources.

A postgraduate degree is a valuable experience that provides students with a body of work and a diverse range of skills that they can use to market themselves with when they graduate.

For more information about Graduate Destinations from this department, please visit the Careers Service website.

• How to Apply
• Online Application
• Request a prospectus
• Got a question - use our enquiry form (opens a new window)
• Funding options
• English language requirements
• Tuition Fees
• Admissions Contacts