Undergraduate study | Chinese

Learn Modern Standard Chinese while exploring China's history, literature, culture and politics, its place in East Asia, and its international relations.

Why study Chinese in Edinburgh?

  • Choose from three entry levels in Chinese - beginner, upper beginner or intermediate.
  • Study over four years, giving you the choice and flexibility to try out different things.
  • Build up to fluency in Modern Standard Chinese and study abroad as part of your programme - no additional time required.
  • Specialise in different aspects of Chinese Studies as you move through your degree.
  • Delve into fantastic libraries and collections at the University and in the city.
  • Join societies and gain the skills and confidence for life after university.

Studying Chinese at Edinburgh has provided me with the most incredible opportunities of my life. As Edinburgh is such an international city, I have had many opportunities to meet and make friends with students from China and Taiwan and use my Mandarin. My language teachers are fantastic; incredibly kind and helpful. I started learning Mandarin from scratch in my first year, and because of their help, the course was not overwhelming. Small tutorial groups have made a massive difference in learning and there is a real community feel - the classroom is where I have met some of my best Uni friends. In addition, the modules about Asian culture and history have been excellent, as my lectures are all very passionate. All in all, I could not recommend the programme more!

Willow Year 4, Chinese MA (Hons)

What you can study in 2026

Applications are now open for 2026 entry. You can apply to:

  • take a single honours degree in Chinese
  • take any of the following joint honours degree programmes...
Chinese and FrenchChinese and German
Chinese and SpanishChinese and Russian
Chinese and HistoryHistory of Art and Chinese Studies
Chinese and LinguisticsInternational Business with Chinese*

* Please note that this degree combination does not have the same structure as all the others, though it is still a four-year degree with a study abroad element.

There’s lots of information about our undergraduate Chinese programmes on the University of Edinburgh Degree Finder. 

For example, for each programme combination, you can find out about:

  • the courses you will take each year
  • how you will be taught and assessed
  • the support we offer
  • studying abroad in Year 3
  • entrance requirements
  • English language requirements
  • fees and funding opportunities
  • student societies and living in Edinburgh
  • career destinations 

If you’d like to study on any of our undergraduate programmes, you must apply through UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. 

Skills and experience

Studying one or more languages to degree level demonstrates that you're a good communicator, and someone open to other cultures and new ideas – what employers value as intercultural competence.

Beyond the language skills you'll develop on our programmes, you will gain a nuanced understanding of diverse cultures and societies.

Graduating with a four-year Master of Arts degree from the University of Edinburgh also shows intellectual maturity, resilience, and flexibility.

The skills you will be able to demonstrate to employers include the ability to:

  • understand, analyse and articulate complex issues and concepts
  • manage your time to meet deadlines on different types of projects
  • work independently and as part of a group

Opportunities across sectors

Our programmes are an excellent primer for a range of careers, especially those that place a premium on thinking that is both disciplined and imaginative.

Within the private, public, not-for-profit, and for-benefit sectors, previous graduates have gone on to work in:

  • business, finance, commerce and tech
  • communications, marketing, advertising and public relations
  • education, outreach, advocacy and training
  • journalism, broadcasting and media
  • leisure, tourism and travel
  • politics, policy work, diplomacy, civil service and law
  • publishing, culture, heritage and the arts
  • research, development, consultancy and venture acceleration
  • translating and interpreting

Local and global opportunities

With increasing migration in response to changing global dynamics, there is demand for our graduates in Scotland, the UK and abroad.

Wherever you are based in the world, the ability to communicate in another major language, and to understand the cultures to which it opens doors, will make you stand out.

If you are keen to work abroad, it’s good to know that over one billion people worldwide speak Modern Standard Chinese and many countries, including Scotland, have strategic links with China. 

Increasing numbers of Chinese-speaking graduates are recruited by companies based in East Asia, a powerful player in the global economy.

Further study

The enhanced research skills you will develop on a four-year programme, particularly in your honours years, are a valuable asset if you wish to continue studying at postgraduate level. 

At the University of Edinburgh, we typically offer a Masters by Research degree in Chinese and taught masters programmes in:

  • East Asian Studies (with the option to specialise in Chinese Studies)
  • Comparative Literature
  • Intermediality
  • Translation Studies

Any of our masters degrees, whether research-based or taught, is a good foundation for a PhD, but is equally of value as a stand-alone qualification.


I moved to China in 2008. Language skills were in high demand, and that demand has only grown since. My degree was very balanced between intensive study of Chinese history, literature, film and culture and hard language training, so I arrived not only able to communicate with ease, but, almost more critically, able to relate and connect with local people on a much deeper level.

Jack Smith, former Deputy Head of Marketing and Communications - China/HK, Department for International Trade Jack graduated from Edinburgh in 2008 with an MA Hons degree in Chinese and spent 16 years working in China.

QS World Rankings by Subject 2025

The University of Edinburgh is ranked 3rd in the UK for: 

  • Modern Languages
  • Arts & Humanities

Globally, we’re in the World Top 15: Arts & Humanities (10) and Modern Languages (13).

The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings are based on research citations and the results of major global surveys of employers and academics.

They are International Ranking Expert Group (IREG) approved.

Graphic of a person with a phone and the words #3 in the UK World Top 15

The Complete University Guide 2025

The University of Edinburgh is ranked 2nd for Asian Studies in The Complete University Guide - Subject League Table 2025.

The Complete University Guide ranks the best 130 universities in the UK on measures such as:

  • student satisfaction on undergraduate programmes (including Chinese)
  • research quality
  • graduate prospects

Get to know us better

Other ways to learn Chinese at Edinburgh

If you take a different degree at the University of Edinburgh, you can still learn Chinese with us!

Many undergraduate degrees at Edinburgh enable you to try different subjects in your first two years. If you are studying on one of these degrees, you can take Chinese as an option course - sometimes known as an 'elective course' or 'outside subject'. There are Year 1 courses for complete beginners and students with different levels of prior experience. All of them feed into Year 2 courses if you like Chinese and want to progress further.

Discover a world of languages graphic

Chinese is also available as part of the University's free Open Languages offer of 20 credit courses taken over one semester. Again, you can start at various levels.

Through the Centre for Open Learning, you can also opt to pay to take Chinese as a short Lifelong Learning course. These courses typically run three times a year for 10 weeks in the evening. 

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