Contemporary Chinese Studies MSc

University of Oxford

About the course

The MSc in Contemporary Chinese Studies is a three-term, twelve-month course offered jointly by the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies (OSGA) and the Faculty of Oriental Studies designed to provide high quality graduate research training with an emphasis on an appreciation of research methods and on deepening your understanding of contemporary China.

You will develop or extend your knowledge and understanding of.

• the key approaches to the social scientific study of modern China
• research methods, strategies and ethics that will be of relevance to the social scientific study of China
• critical analysis of sources and ability to present findings effectively, both verbally and in sustained writing exercises
• framing and executing a workable research topic
• interdisciplinary research and its potential.

Modules involve lectures as well as seminar or class discussions, for both of which you will receive reading lists. It is a fundamental component of the Oxford educational system that you engage in individual reading and study in order to broaden and deepen your knowledge of your chosen field. You will also be given a supervisor to help guide you through your dissertation research through regular one-to-one meetings. In addition to your supervisor, other staff members will be available to advise you on reading, literature and topics. Students normally have some familiarity with Chinese language.

The teaching on the MSc course is built around two core courses. The first core course, Research Methods, will introduce you to the strengths and weaknesses of contrasting discipline-based approaches to Area Studies, and the study of China. It explores both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The second core course, The Study of Contemporary China, teaches foundational knowledge of modern Chinese history, politics and society needed for further study or research in all disciplines, and introduces the different disciplinary approaches to the study of modern China.

Assessment

Assessment for Research Methods comprises two parts, each weighted equally. a take-home test in the collection and analysis of qualitative data, and a take-home test in quantitative analysis.
The Study of Contemporary China core course is assessed by one unseen three-hour exam. Option courses are assessed by either unseen three-hour exams or officially submitted essays.

Finally, during the Easter vacation, Trinity term, and part of summer, you will write a research dissertation of 12,000 words on a research topic of your choosing, subject to approval by the Graduate Studies Committee.

Graduate destinations

Graduate pathways after the MSc typically fall into one of three categories. The first group move on to further academic study, either in China in order to further enhance their language and cultural skills at leading universities, or by pursuing doctoral study in key disciplines, either here at Oxford or at other top-ranked universities worldwide.

The second path taken by the department’s graduates involves government and public service at international institutions, government agencies and prominent NGOs, usually with a direct focus on China or the East Asia region as part of the brief for their positions.

The third pathway chosen by graduates typically involves major private sector firms in industry or finance, commercial research agencies and international consulting.