Chinese Studies

Course Overview

Chinese Studies is a multidisciplinary field of study, drawing upon and integrating disciplines such as History, Linguistics, Politics, Cultural Studies and Translation Studies. The course focuses on China today and China over the last century. This course offers a unique and vibrant educational experience which equips its students to be global citizens. The M.Phil. programme offers the opportunity to engage with key aspects of contemporary China, including its political and economic landscape, modern history, society, popular culture and language. Given China’s economic impact and international reach, this course equips its graduates to engage deeply with contemporary China.



The multidisciplinary nature of the course can accommodate students from a wide range of backgrounds. For those students who wish to acquire Mandarin, whether or not they have come in with any prior knowledge of the language, this programme provides them with the opportunity to develop their Mandarin in a relatively short time.



Delivered by expert faculty as well as regular guest speakers from business and industry, this programme will develop the skills necessary to succeed in an international environment. It is available as a one-year, full-time programme or a two-year, part-time programme.



Is This Course For Me?

The course is designed for students from a wide range of backgrounds. A background in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences is helpful but not a requirement. The M.Phil. in Chinese Studies is designed to provide a multidisciplinary introduction to the discipline of Chinese Studies without requiring any specific prior knowledge of China or the Chinese language proficiency.



Course Structure

Each taught module in the programme is weighted at 10 credits. The Masters qualification carries 90 credits: six course modules at 10 credits each (60 credits) and a dissertation worth 30 credits. ECTS are awarded to a student only upon successful completion of the course year. The M.Phil. in Chinese Studies is a NFQ Level 9 qualification

The degree consists of six taught modules and a final dissertation. The taught modules are composed of at least two core modules selected from Group A and three or four elective modules selected from Group B.



A full-time student takes a total of three modules in each of the two terms. In each term, at least one of the three modules must be from Group A while at least two modules must be selected from Group B.



A part-time student must take two core modules from Group A and one elective module from Group B during their first year and, in their second year of study, they must take three elective modules from Group B.



Group A core modules include: Modern Chinese History; Contemporary Chinese Society and Politics; Chinese Language and Writing System.



Group B elective modules include: Mandarin 1; Mandarin 2; Mandarin Reading and Discussion Group on Contemporary China; Governance and Politics of the PRC; Business and Economy of Contemporary China; Mandarin 3; Mandarin 4; China in Comparative Perspective; Languages and Nations of China; Dissertation.



Note that not all elective modules may be available in any one year, depending on staff availability and timetabling. Additional elective modules may be introduced by the course committee at a later date.

Admission Requirements

Applicants will hold a Bachelor's degree (minimum 2.1, or a GPA of 3.5, or equivalent from another country) from a recognised university. A background in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences is helpful but not a requirement. Applicants must submit a personal statement (circa 500 words) that describes their background and the nature of their interest in the course.



The M.Phil. in Chinese Studies doesn't require any specific prior knowledge of Chinese history, culture, or language.



English Language Requirements

All applicants to Trinity are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language. Applicants to this course are required to meet Band B (Standard Entry) English language requirements. For more details of qualifications that meet Band B, see the English Language Requirements page.

Closing Date: 31st July 2025

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.

Next Intake: September 2025

Career Opportunities

Our graduates are in high demand and have pursued a wide range of careers including in business and industry, communications, public affairs, diplomacy, and arts and heritage, at the UN, at multinational corporations, and in local government. Graduates have also pursued further academic research.



The university offers a bespoke careers service for all students, and our students in Chinese Studies are assigned a dedicated careers consultant.