Chinese Studies and Italian MA (Hons)

University of St Andrews

CHINESE STUDIES

Chinese Studies at St Andrews will offer you exposure to the breadth and depth of Chinese linguistic and cultural practices. Going beyond the traditional model of language and literature, Chinese Studies will also include visual and pop cultures.

Whilst St Andrews does not offer Chinese as a single Honours degree, you can take it in combination with a wide variety of other subjects as part of a joint Honours degree.

Course information

The Chinese portion of the four-year joint Honours degree is run by the School of Modern Languages.

Your time at St Andrews will focus on the linguistic and cultural entity that is China and the Chinese-speaking world today. Chinese Studies at St Andrews will offer you exposure to the breadth and depth of Chinese cultural practices. Looking beyond a model of language and literature, Chinese Studies will also include visual and pop cultures.

Your first two years focus on enabling you to read, write and converse in Chinese. The Chinese language is unlike other languages in that it is not written as a series of letters. Rather it uses a non-alphabetic script known as characters. It is also a tonal language, but the grammar is straightforward. So, studying Chinese can be challenging, but also highly rewarding.

Careers

China is the world's second-largest economy and its most populous nation-state. Knowledge of the Chinese language, along with an understanding of global issues in a Chinese context, will prepare you for an international career in a variety of industries.

This course will also prepare you to handle differences in working practices in Chinese-speaking contexts.

ITALIAN

As an MA (Hons) student of Italian, you will develop language and communication skills to a high level of proficiency. You will also have the opportunity to engage with a number of specialist topics in Italian literature, culture, history, politics and film.

Italian is available to both beginners and non-beginners. All students are introduced to a wide spectrum of cultural and literary genres, from medieval texts and poetry to 21st-century Italian novels, films and more.

Language is taught at all levels in small groups, allowing teaching staff to pay close attention to your progress. The Department’s innovative and distinctive teaching approach includes mixed skills and integrated classes, extensive use of contemporary audio-visual materials, and regular structured contact with native speakers. Students of Italian gain comprehensive transferable skills relevant to a wide range of careers. At Honours levels, you are also introduced to professional skills such as translation and interpreting.

Course information

The MA (Hons) in Italian is a four-year course run by the School of Modern Languages. The course is available to students who are complete beginners in Italian and to students who have studied Italian to A-Level or SQA Higher or with equivalent knowledge and experience.

In the first two years, you will learn and refine your understanding of Italian grammar and language through reading, writing, listening and speaking. Those with prior knowledge in Italian will further develop their language and writing skills, and both groups will be introduced to different aspects of Italian literature, culture and history.

Careers

Modern languages graduates have an extremely good record of employment after graduating, not only in all sectors that require advanced language skills but also in professional environments that demand good communication and analytical skills.