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.

Please note that to be considered for the MA Chinese Studies (Literature pathway) programme you will need apply for MA Chinese Studies and select the relevant literature modules at enrolment.

Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings

Start of programme: September

Mode of Attendance: Full-time or Part-time

Students take 180 credits, 60 of which are a dissertation, 30 credits of core modules, 60 credits of compulsory modules, and the remaining 30 credits can be from the list of optional modules.

All modules are subject to availability.

Compulsory Dissertation

The dissertation must be on a subject in Chinese Literature.

Core Modules

Students select 30 credits from the following module:

OR

Select the following two modules:

Compulsory Modules

Students must take the following module.

AND

30 credits from one of the modules below.

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.

China and Inner Asia

Japan and Korea

Languages, Cultures and Linguistics

Language

Non literature modules (China/East Asia Related):

Art and Archaeology

Anthropology and Sociology

Media and Film Studies

Economics

Politics and International Studies

Music

Religion

History

Programme Specification

• MA Chinese Studies (Literature Pathway) Programme Specification (pdf; 412kb)

Important notice

Teaching & Learning

Contact Hours

All Masters programmes consist of 180 credits, made up of taught modules of 30 or 15 credits, taught over 10 or 20 weeks, and a dissertation of 60 credits. The programme structure shows which modules are compulsory and which optional.

As a rough guide, 1 credit equals approximately 10 hours of work. Most of this will be independent study, including reading and research, preparing coursework, revising for examinations and so on. It will also include class time, which may include lectures, seminars and other classes. Some subjects, such as learning a language, have more class time than others. At SOAS, most postgraduate modules have a one hour lecture and a one hour seminar every week, but this does vary.

More information is on the page for each module.

Learning Outcomes

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 2019/20 entrants. The fees below are per academic year. Fees go up each year, therefore, your tuition fee in your second & subsequent years of study will be higher. Our continuing students, on the same degree programme, are protected from annual increases higher than 5%.

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