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.

Career prospects

We’re committed to helping you achieve your professional ambitions, providing you with the skills, curiosity, and confidence to make your mark in a competitive job market. Whether you have a clear idea of what you would like to do after university, or no idea at all, we have the tools and support to guide you.

Work experience and placements are great opportunities to enhance your employability and career prospects and can help you make decisions about your future career plans. The Modern Chinese (BA) programme includes placement learning as an integral element of your degree programme.

Each term, we also advertise On-Campus Internships. These are summer vacation opportunities for students to work under supervision on education innovation, professional services, and staff-defined research projects.

Our graduates flourish in the job market, equipped with a range of academic and practical skills – including teamworking, leadership and communication – valued by employers. Their language degrees lead them into a diverse and exciting range of careers which have included finance, international sport liaison roles, business consultancy, education, health, the media, politics, diplomacy, interpreting, translation, law and teaching.