Chinese Studies (MA) (120EC)

Career prospects

Where do our graduates work?

Our graduates frequently find employment in policy-making occupations and are sought-after within the world of commerce. We have alumni working in management positions in NGOs, multinationals and SMEs in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and elsewhere in Asia.

You may also find employment as a journalist, correspondent, public relations manager, travel guide, interpreter or translator. We have graduates working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China Southern Airlines, Gassan Schiphol and Reformatorisch Dagblad.

Examples of the diverse roles of our graduates include:

• Curator of the China department at a national museum of ethnology
• PhD candidate at a university in Hong Kong
• China Director at an international architecture, planning and strategic consultancy firm
• Test consultant at a large IT consultancy firm
• Managing partner of a translation agency
• Policy officer at a ministry of foreign affairs
• Editor at a publishing house
• Project officer for Asia collections at Leiden University Library
• Technical programme manager at a multinational technology company
• Web editor and newsletter coordinator at an embassy in China

Kimberley Goebel

Graduated in the MA Chinese Studies

“After my Bachelor’s degree, the MA programme Chinese Studies seemed like the most logical option for me. It gave me the opportunity to study abroad and gain an even better understanding of what I had learned before. To be able to have a firsthand experience of the field you are interested in, and to be able to use your academic knowledge on a day-to-day basis is a wonderful thing.”

“Right now I am working at Ni Hao Helan, a travel and consultancy agency directed towards the Chinese market. Through this job I am combining my knowledge of the Netherlands with my knowledge of China. We work closely with Chinese clients and the skills I acquired during my studies at Leiden University especially come in handy when communicating with them."

Thomas Falkenhagen

Graduated in Chinese Studies

"As soon as I obtained my master’s degree in 2009 I joined the national civil service trainee programme. I thought it would be a good way of getting into the civil service, but to my surprise I was immediately selected for Foreign Affairs, the very place I most wanted to work. My career since has taken me to vastly different places, with 'all-things-Asia' frequently returning on my path. Currently I am serving as deputy Consul-General in Chongqing, China."

Thesis research in China

"I have always been keen to go abroad. During my studies I spent a year in Beijing, which was great! It was a wonderful experience to live in such an enormous metropolis. I visited China again during the last three months of my master’s, for my thesis research."

First steps of professional life

"The master’s in Chinese Studies prepared me for first steps of professional life at the ministry of Foreign Affairs because it fostered my ability to take initiative, to work both independently and in cooperation with others and to handle politically sensitive issues. And of course in my line of work, foreign language proficiency is a real must, with Chinese language growing in relative importance."

In which sector do students find jobs?

• 30 % Government and semi-government organisations
• 10 % IT
• 10 % Communication and marketing
• 10 % Welfare and health
• 10 % Corporal services
• 10 % Research
• 10 % Education
• 10 % Finances

Career preparation

Find out how this programme exactly prepares you for your future career and check our career preparation activities.