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."
In which sector do students find jobs?
- 29 % Financial Institutions
- 14 % Non-profit
- 14 % Publishing
- 14 % Media and Journalism
- 14 % Research
- 14 % Other
This graph is based on alumni data from the MA Asian Studies (120 EC) 2020 through 2024.
Career preparation
Find out how this programme exactly prepares you for your future career and check our career preparation activities.
Launch your career with a master’s degree
Continuing your studies after your bachelor's degree pays off. Graduates with a master's degree are more likely to find higher-level positions: 77% start at a university of applied sciences (hbo) or university level, compared to 63% of graduates who only hold a bachelor's degree. This difference remains visible in the long term. After more than two years of work experience, 87% of master's alumni work at a university of applied sciences or university level, compared to 76% of bachelor's alumni.
A unique strength on the job market
As a Humanities graduate, you have developed talents that are in high demand on the job market. Intercultural skills, written communication, and social awareness are qualities that clearly distinguish Humanities graduates on the job market. Your ability to think analytically and creatively also gives you an edge.
Do you consider to put your knowledge into practice during your studies? Determine whether an internship could be an option for you. Start orientating your possibilities by visiting an internship information session. This way you can receive information about the internship procedure and listen to tips of former interns.
Notice that you will search for an internship yourself to find a place of your interest. Do you need some help with this or the application process? Do not hesitate to contact the Career Service. When you have found an internship, inform us. Then, the internship coordinator advises you how to proceed and provides your internship plan with feedback so it can be submitted for approval to the board of examiners.
Our staff can help you identify both the career that is right for you, and the necessary steps to get you there. Our team at the Humanities Career Service provides all Leiden University humanities students with professional advice and guidance on everything from internships and career planning to job applications. Humanities Career Service also organises regular workshops on topics such as effective interview skills and creating a successful CV.
The Humanities Career Service offers you various (online) workshops, webinars and info sessions. Check our overview of career activities.
The Leiden University Career Zone is an online career portal that helps you to prepare for the job market. Here you can find information, tools and tips to help you gain more personal insight, learn about the job market, develop your application skills, plan your academic and professional career, find job vacancies and discover what the Career Service can do for you.
Join the Mentor Network to contact alumni with experience on the labour market and ask them for advice. More than 1200 alumni are happy to help you!
Jelle on finding an internship via Leiden University's Mentor Network
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