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 extensive library 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 on classical as well as contemporary topics, for which our extensive library collection provides inspiring resources.
Programme structure
The first semester of the programme is held at Leiden and consists of:
- 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;
- One elective from the China specialisation;
- Advanced Mandarin 1.
Semester 3: China
Two semesters of your degree will be spent studying at Shandong University in China, where you will follow language courses and have the option to follow content courses on China in Chinese. The purpose of the year abroad 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.
Curious about how previous students experienced their time studying in China? Check the Student experiences page.
Upon your return to Leiden, you will continue to develop your language skills, take an elective, and write your MA thesis.
- Advanced Mandarin 3.
- Elective from the China specialisation;
- MA Thesis
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. Recent projects included thesis on the energy transition, cybersecurity governance, Humanistic Buddhism, and queer narratives in China.
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?