Asia Pacific Studies and Chinese

China has become one of the world's largest economies and plays a pivotal role on the world stage. China and the Asia Pacific region are culturally, politically and economically dynamic and vital to our global understanding.

You'll explore the culture, history, politics and economics of the region and its interactions across the Pacific and beyond. You'll combine this with intensive language study to become proficient in Chinese –“ a major world language. We teach Chinese from beginner level, but if you already have some knowledge of the subject we can normally accommodate you.

You'll study at one of our partner universities for a year to refine your language skills and gain experience of life in China. Core modules will build your skills in Chinese and you'll select modules to explore the wider Asia Pacific region, from Japanese literature to religion in East Asia.

With the international outlook, expertise and language skills you'll develop, you'll be prepared for a global career.

Specialist facilities

Leeds has excellent library facilities for Asia Pacific studies, and the University Library runs a comprehensive training programme to help you make the most of them.

With over fifty years of acquisitions, the Chinese section housed in the beautiful Brotherton Library has a vast collection of modern Chinese books available to you. The University Library also has impressive holdings of books in English about China, supported by a range of digital materials.

For independent language study, you'll have access to the Language Zone –“ the University language resource centre –“ with books, DVDs, magazines, audio/ video resources and language learning software. To practise your speaking skills, you can participate in language groups with other students or a language exchange with a native speaker.

The programme is designed for international students. Applicants must meet two of the following three criteria in order to be eligible for our programmes:

• Have an educational gap between their high school qualifications and the requirements for entry to undergraduate programmes at the University of Leeds. Qualifications beyond high school level will be considered within the applicant profile.
• Have completed the majority of their high school studies in a non-English speaking environment.
• Have completed the majority of their high school studies in a different educational context from that in the UK.

Students who have completed the International Baccalaureate will be considered for the International Foundation Year if they have reached a minimum Grade of 26 points overall with grade 4 at Standard Level or 3 at Higher Level in two subjects. Specific subjects will be dependent on the chosen degree path of progression.

A degree in Asia Pacific Studies and Chinese equips you with an appreciation of the cultures and communities in one of the world's most vibrant and rapidly growing regions. It also gives you command over a major world language which continues to increase in importance.

Your studies will equip you with a range of transferable skills: teamwork, presentation, independent research and critical thinking. You'll be able to form your own opinions from the evidence in front of you and communicate them clearly.

It's no surprise that graduates have gone into a wide range of careers. Many are working in Asia Pacific, while recent graduates have moved into careers in business, journalism, tourism publishing, diplomacy, teaching, aid work, the media, and language-specific roles in translation and interpreting.

Others have continued to study languages and East Asian cultures to Masters level, either as a stepping stone for a PhD and career in academia or to further their knowledge.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That's one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

Apply

There are three steps to applying:

1. Read our Access to Leeds application guidelines
2. Fill in our Access to Leeds application form (this will be available here once the application cycle opens). If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader), there is an accessible version of this form available to download. Please only use this version if you have accessibility requirements
3. Submit your application using our online Access to Leeds Application Submission Form (this will be available here once the application cycle opens).

If you require it for your application, please download our Declaration of Household Income Form (this will be available here once the application cycle opens).