Chinese Studies (MA) (120EC)
About the programme
The two-year MA in Chinese Studies, a specialisation of Leiden University’s master's in Asian Studies, combines content courses with intensive and advanced language training, outstanding teaching, and world-class resources to bring you the only qualification of its calibre offered in the Netherlands.
Our curriculum is designed to give you a broad understanding of China, as well as the contextual knowledge to comment on issues from other vantage points – for example, western Europe – for both specialist and general audiences. Gain an understanding of disciplinary thinking, concepts, terminology and methodology as dictated by your regional-disciplinary specialisation, and acquire the skills to carry out independent and academic-quality research.
Programme structure
The first semester of the programme is held at Leiden and consists of the following courses:
- The core course Introduction to Asian Studies that explores the place of Asian Studies in the larger field of Area Studies and among the many disciplines represented in Asian Studies;
- Electives with a focus on China;
- Advanced Mandarin language courses.
You will be free to follow a variety of academic courses – known as Master Classes in Asian Studies and State of the Field seminars. These include classes in:
- History (modern and pre-modern)
- Politics and International Relations
- Philosophy
- Religion
- Literature
- Social science
- Linguistics
Students will only be allowed to attend the Year in China after passing the following courses:
- Introduction to Asian Studies
- Advanced Mandarin 1
Semester 3: China
Two semesters of your degree will be spent studying at a university in China, where you will follow relevant courses in your chosen field of research and conduct research for your MA thesis. The purpose of this study trip is to strengthen your language skills while developing your understanding of the country and its society.
The Faculty of Humanities offers a partial scholarship to reduce costs (and travel expenses) for the year in China for each applicant who has been admitted to the programme. This is not a full scholarship but only a partial contribution to your expenses in China.
Upon your return to Leiden, you will continue to develop your language skills while developing knowledge in your area(s) of specialisation. Our goal is that, by the time you are ready to write your MA thesis, you will be in a strong position to integrate your language and academic skills to the point where you can use primary sources written in Mandarin as part of your research.
You are free to choose the topic of your thesis from any field supported within the department – although we recommend that the topic closely mirrors one or more of the classes you followed while in China. Your thesis supervisor will be available to advise you. Currently the department can supervise theses from the following specialisations:
- History
- Philosophy
- Religion
- Literature
- Politics and International Relations
- Anthropology
- Sociology
- Linguistics
- Material Culture
During the final stages of the programme you will concentrate on honing your language skills to a level that can be applied in your professional life (post graduation). This includes, for example, learning how to use language in a legal, commercial and political setting.
Course overview
For a more detailed programme, see the Prospectus.
Please note that this guide applies to the current academic year, which means that the curriculum for next year may slightly differ.
Maghiel van Crevel
Professor of Chinese Language and Literature
“We don’t tell students what they should do; rather, we see ourselves as educators whose role is to stimulate students to pursue their own cultural or linguistic interests. We also encourage students to extend their range of interests to make the most of what is on offer. The China-related library is one of the best in Europe and we have a very international team of educators. It is this combination that makes this master’s programme so unique.”
Admission and Application
Do you want to find out if you are eligible for this Master's Programme?