Chinese and Russian BA

Course overview

In this fascinating and varied five-year degree, you’ll learn two major world languages and deepen your understanding of the modern world by exploring the histories and cultures of the nations that speak them. You’ll spend one year at a university in mainland China or Taiwan and another in a Russian-speaking country, improving your language skills and gaining first-hand experience of these cultures and societies to enrich your understanding of these amazing countries.

We teach Chinese and Russian from beginners’ level, but if you already have some knowledge of either language we can also accommodate you. This programme also includes modules specifically designed for heritage speakers of Russian.

The dominant cultural, political and economic influence in East Asia for over two millennia, China today constitutes almost a fifth of the global economy, and is a major centre for technological, business and even cultural innovation—think of TikTok. Chinese at Leeds is one of the longest-running programmes in the UK and has always sought to reflect China’s diversity and changes and to equip you with the skills and knowledge to gain a deep understanding of modern China. One of the strengths of East Asian Studies at Leeds is that we have expertise which spans the many diverse aspects of this fascinating region.

With approximately 170 million native speakers and tens of millions who speak it as a second language, Russian is a lingua franca not only in the Russian Federation but also in many parts of Eastern Europe, Central Asia and diasporic communities worldwide. Our course will equip you with the linguistic and intercultural skills to navigate this rich and complex cultures with confidence.

The School of Languages, Cultures and Societies at Leeds is an exciting place for your undergraduate experience. Our diverse international community of students and staff, student-led societies and outstanding pastoral support creates a friendly and dynamic atmosphere for all our students.

To find out what it is like to study with us, visit the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies website.

Facilities detail

With a variety of specialist facilities and four libraries on campus, you’ll find plenty of space for study, group work, and research.

The world-class Brotherton Library is home to a wide variety of manuscripts, archive and early printed material in its Special Collections – valuable assets for your independent research. These include rare copies of magazines and unpublished letters, with materials across the range of languages that we teach. Our Chinese collection is one of the best collections of modern Chinese books in the country. Our main library resources are also excellent, and the University Library offers a comprehensive training programme to help you make the most of them.

The Language Centre includes digital language labs, audio/video practice booths and Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL). The Language Zone offers excellent learning material in more than 50 languages, including online resources and advice. The Language Exchange and the Language Groups programme provide opportunities to practise with other learners and native speakers; you can also volunteer to help other learners and enhance your CV at the same time.

The University of Leeds is home to the world-leading Leeds Russian Archive, established in 1982 and comprising around 650 collections of manuscripts, photographs, and other archival material related to Anglo-Russian contacts in the 19th and 20th centuries. With reserves of texts by Russophone authors, ranging from Bunin to Lenin, the Archive offers countless opportunities for meaningful original research.

In your language classes, you will benefit from using a number of state-of-the-art digital resources, including IntelliText: a program developed at Leeds that offers access to large collections of authentic texts in Russian (and other languages) which will help you produce more sophisticated and natural language in your writing and speaking.

The University also hosts the Leeds Centre for New Chinese Writing, with regular visiting speakers.

This means you have the unique and exciting opportunity to participate in many cultural events such as interesting talks, poetry readings and film screenings, and take part in competitions.

Entry requirements

A-level: ABB

Other course specific tests:

When an applicant is taking the EPQ in a relevant subject this might be considered alongside other Level 3 qualifications and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A Levels, this would be BBB at A Level including Russian and grade A in the EPQ.

International Baccalaureate

Career opportunities

You’ll gain the language and professional skills to prepare you for an international career in a wide range of sectors. This Chinese & Russian degree allows you to gain proficiency in two major world languages. As well as demonstrating that you’re intellectually versatile, your languages degree will equip you with a wide range of skills across different disciplines which are attractive to employers such as: 

• Good research skills and the ability to analyse complex information from multiple sources before drawing your own conclusions. 
• Communication skills, enabling you to defend your views clearly, either verbally or in writing. 
• Strong organisational skills and the confidence to work independently or in a team. 
• A deep understanding of cultural diversity, allowing you to work effectively with people whose backgrounds differ from yours. 

Leeds graduates have pursued careers across the globe and in a range of sectors including education, the media, law, publishing, the civil service and diplomacy, business and finance and the charity sector. Many others have also pursued postgraduate study, including further training in language-based careers such as translating and interpreting.