Modern Chinese BA (Hons)
Cardiff University
Student rating
This is the overall rating calculated by averaging all live reviews for this uni on Whatuni.
( 4.3) View reviews

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Different course options
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Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

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Location

Main Site - Cardiff

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

22-SEP-25

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Duration

4 Years

Course info

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Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Location

Main Site - Cardiff

Study mode

Full time

Start date

22-SEP-25

Duration

4 Years

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Subjects

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Asian Studies
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Exam type

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A level
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Extended Project
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International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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T Level
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Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
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Location

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England
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Scotland
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Wales
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Northern Ireland
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Channel Islands
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EU
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Rest of World
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Course info

Our 4-year Modern Chinese (BA) programme is delivered through an exciting partnership between Cardiff University and Beijing Normal University, that enables you to develop and enhance your knowledge of the Chinese language – achieving advanced linguistics skills - and a deeper understanding of Chinese culture. You’ll also have the opportunity to study the social, political, historical, and cultural contexts in China. During the degree, you’ll foster translation skills, gain professional ...Read more

Our 4-year Modern Chinese (BA) programme is delivered through an exciting partnership between Cardiff University and Beijing Normal University, that enables you to develop and enhance your knowledge of the Chinese language – achieving advanced linguistics skills - and a deeper understanding of Chinese culture. You’ll also have the opportunity to study the social, political, historical, and cultural contexts in China. During the degree, you’ll foster translation skills, gain professional experience, and develop high-level communication and critical thinking skills.An integral part of this programme is the opportunity to truly immerse yourself in the Chinese language and culture by spending 2 years living in Beijing. This cultural and linguistic experience will be further enhanced through studying for 2 years at one of China’s premier, double first universities, Beijing Normal University. During your time at Beijing Normal, you will have the opportunity to be taught by expert, native speakers and embrace the experience of studying within a Chinese culture and in the Chinese higher education system. Beyond your academic development, your time at Beijing Normal University will build resilience and independence.We run 2 language pathways. Those with an A level or equivalent competence in Mandarin Chinese language will take our Upper Elementary pathway. Those with limited or no knowledge of Mandarin Chinese language take our Elementary pathway.On completion of this programme, you’ll be a confident and independent user of Mandarin Chinese language, able to speak and write fluently and accurately, and read, understand, and analyse complex texts in Mandarin Chinese and in English with assurance.It’s important to remember that studying Mandarin Chinese is not just about the language itself, it involves the integrated study of language, culture, and society. Our BA Modern Chinese programme offers challenging and stimulating modules with a strong emphasis on cultural diversity and celebrates cultural and linguistic mobility. Languages open doors to a variety of career paths and our aim is for you to become a ‘global citizen’ who thinks critically, understands cultural diversity, and a wealth of transferable skills.


Distinctive Features of the Programme


Dual Degree

Receive a degree from both Cardiff University and Beijing Normal University.


Immersion in Chinese life

Spend 2 years in China to achieve advanced fluency in Mandarin Chinese and explore Chinese history and modern-day Chinese culture.


Professional development

Undertake professional practice opportunities to support your employability and work skills.


A dynamic experience

Learn from native and near-native speakers, with blended learning and digital technologies embedded in teaching and learning activities.


Skills for the future

A structured skills programme embeds academic, transferable and employability skills from the beginning.


Extra-curricular activities

A vibrant programme of events – such as language cafes and student societies - supports your language learning and immersion into the culture.

Key stats

WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
22/101
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
9th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
27th
Asian Studies
Drop-out rate
Drop-out rate
The percentage of students who didn't finish the course.
Calculated by 100% - (% of students continuing course + % of students completed course)
100 - 90 = 10% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
10%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
89%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Asian Studies graduate salary at this uni
£20,000
UK Asian Studies graduate salary
£20,000
What students say
T
Tia
23 Feb 24

Students services and support is easy to locate online. The assessment extension for extenuating circumstances in only 1 week, which does not feel appropriate for 'extenuating..Read more

A
Argyll
14 Jan 24

The student union is incredible, the staff are all helpful and inclusive. It is a very comfortable environment to work and socialise in. I would like more availability for..Read more

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

BBB - AAB Grades / Points required

Extended Project:

A Grades / Points required

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

34 - 31 Grades / Points required

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

DDD - DDM Grades / Points required

T Level:

D - M Grades / Points required

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015):

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

If you have grade B in Mandarin Chinese language at A level you will have access to the Mandarin Chinese Advanced pathway.

For applicants taking the EPQ qualification, an A in the EPQ can be recognised to lower the entry requirements by a single grade. For example, an AAB offer would be "AAB from 3 A-levels or ABB from 3 A-levels and a grade A in the EPQ". Please note that any subject specific requirements must be met.

34-31 overall or 666-665 in 3 HL subjects. If you have grade 6 in HL Mandarin Chinese language you will have access to the Mandarin Chinese Advanced pathway.

in a BTEC Extended Diploma in Arts, Humanities, Science, and Social Science subjects. If you have grade B in Mandarin Chinese language at A level in combination with or in addition to the BTEC you will have access to the Mandarin Chinese Advanced pathway.

D-M in a T Level in any subject.

The Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted in place of one A-level at the A-level grades specified, excluding any subject specific requirements.

Tuition fees

Students living in

England

£9,000 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from England

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,000 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Scotland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,000 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Wales

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,000 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Northern Ireland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,000 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Channel Islands

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£22,700 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from EU

This is the fee you pay if you live within the European Union. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within the European Union. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£22,700 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from International

This is the fee you pay if you are an International student. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you are an International student. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

UCAS/IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Chinese Languages reviews

Chinese Languages
Chinese Languages
T
Tia
23 Feb 24
Students services and support is easy to locate online. The assessment extension for extenuating circumstances in only 1 week, which does not feel appropriate for 'extenuating...
Read more
A
Argyll
14 Jan 24
The student union is incredible, the staff are all helpful and inclusive. It is a very comfortable environment to work and socialise in. I would like more availability for...
Read more
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How Chinese Languages students rated:

Student rating
( 4.2) 6 reviews
5 star
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4 stars
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3 stars
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2 stars
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How all students rated:

Student rating
( 4.3) 2,678 reviews
5 star
45%
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3 stars
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Uni info

Cardiff University
30-36 Newport Road Cardiff CF24 0DE United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Cardiff Queen Street  0.1 miles away
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