This 12-month programme combines high quality postgraduate social science research training with a comprehensive study of contemporary China.

The key features of this programme are: 

1. interdisciplinary teaching;
2. social scientific study of China;
3. contemporary Chinese society, defined broadly as post-1949;
4. research methodology training that is relevant to the study of China (part of the core module);
5. a language option which provides maximum flexibility to students who would like to improve Chinese language skills.

The MSc in Contemporary China Studies attracts students with diverse backgrounds and study/work experiences. Students may come from undergraduate degrees in various social science subjects such as Economics, Sociology, Social Policy, Geography, Politics, International Relations, Management and Anthropology. Previous undergraduate coursework on China is not a compulsory requirement for admission. Applications will be considered from those who have worked in NGOs, civil service, or similar fields. As research methodology training is a compulsory part of the core module, the programme may also serve well as a channel to a research degree on China (MPhil or PhD).

Entry Requirements

SOAS has general minimum entrance requirements for registration for a postgraduate taught degree.

No additional requirements specific to the MSc Contemporary China Studies programme which can be taken with or without knowledge of a Chinese language.

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 and a 120 from taught modules. Of the taught modules, students must take the core module Understanding Contemporary China - 15PCIC002 (30 credits) and a further 90 credits are chosen from a list of approved optional modules.

Students write a 10,000 word dissertation.

Dissertation

Students complete the Dissertation in Contemporary China Studies.

Taught Component

Compulsory Module

All students must take the following compulsory module

Guided Options

All students will take modules to the value of 90 credits from the list of modules below.

List of modules (subject to availability)

Programme Specification

• MSc Contemporary China Studies Programme Specifications 2018/19 (pdf; 177kb)

Important notice

Teaching & Learning

Knowledge

• Students will be expected to grasp key themes and debates related to the study of contemporary Chinese society.
• Students will be expected to grasp various social science research methods and strategies that are relevant to the study of contemporary China.
• Students will develop an understanding of interdisciplinary research and its potential.
• Students will acquire/develop skills in Chinese language at any of these levels: beginner, intermediate or advanced (optional).

Intellectual (thinking) skills

• Students will learn to become precise and cautious in their assessment of evidence and their encounters with knowledge, and will develop critical skills in reassessing evidence for themselves. 
• Students will develop presentation skills as part of seminar and dissertation work.
• Students will learn how to design a research project, set a timetable, understand the principles of fieldwork, and consider questions of ethics.
• Students will learn how to gather, synthesise and assess large bodies of text and also how to represent such a body of knowledge in a synthetic and analytical manner.

Subject-based practical skills

Students will be expected to learn to:

• Communicate effectively in writing, in academic English.
• Retrieve, sift and select information from a variety of sources including print and other forms of mass media
• Listen to, discuss and present ideas introduced during seminars.
• Develop communication and interactive social group skills.
• Practice research techniques in a variety of specialized research
libraries and institutes.

Transferrable skills

Students will be expected to learn to:

• Plan, organise and write masters’ level essays and dissertations;
• Structure and communicate ideas effectively both orally and in writing;
• Work effectively both alone and as part of a discussion group;
• Understand unconventional ideas;
• Develop various IT skills relating to library research and to representation of material; and relating to the production of small research projects.

Learning Resources

SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources. The China and Inner Asia collection consists of approximately 200,000 volumes and 5,000 periodicals.

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 2020/21 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

• How to Apply
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