History of Art and Chinese Studies (MA)

Introducing MA History of Art and Chinese Studies

You will study history of art and Chinese studies in equal depth with this joint honours programme.

Our degree takes advantage of the University of Edinburgh's long-standing tradition of studying Asian literary and visual culture, and our wider expertise in art from different periods and places.

On this programme, you will learn to read, write and speak modern standard Chinese to an advanced level. No prior knowledge is required.

The programme benefits from a growing global market and interest in Asian art. It also takes in a full survey of art from around the world, from around the year 500 to the present.

Why Edinburgh?

Edinburgh is a world-leading festival city filled with galleries, cinemas, theatres, libraries and collections. Its resources for studying art, languages and cultures are exceptional.

We are the only university in Scotland to offer both single and joint honours undergraduate honours programmes in Chinese. This means you can study:

• modern standard Chinese in the context of Chinese history and culture
• a broader survey of the history of art, specialising in your honours years in the periods or topics that interest you most

You will spend Year 3 at a university in China or Taiwan. This will provide you with an immersive language experience and enable you to visit Asian artworks and cultural sites first-hand.

When you graduate, you will have the combination of broad cultural education and specialist knowledge valued by employers worldwide.

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

• SQA Highers: AABB by end of S5 or AAAB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. (Revised 18/04/2024 to lower entry requirements from AAAB by S5, or AAAA by S6.)
• A Levels: AAB. (Revised 18/04/2024 to lower entry requirements from AAA.)
• IB: 36 points with 665 at HL. (Revised 18/04/2024 to lower entry requirements from 37 (666).)

Minimum entry requirement

The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:

• SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
• A Levels: ABB.
• IB: 34 points with 655 at HL.

More information for widening access applicants

Required subjects

The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:

• SQA: Highers: no specific Higher subjects required. National 5s: a language other than English at A and English at C.
• A Levels: no specific A Level subjects required. GCSEs: a language other than English at A or 7 and English at C or 4.
• IB: HL: no specific subjects required. SL: a language other than English at 6 and English at 5.

Additional requirements

Language requirement

For degrees that have a subject requirement of a language other than English, students may not use their own native language to meet this requirement. In these instances, English or an alternative language other than native will be acceptable.

Find out more about entry requirements

International applicants

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international student and your school qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to the University you may be eligible for admission to this degree programme through our International Foundation Programme.

International Foundation Programme

Mature applicants

We welcome applications from mature students and accept a range of qualifications.

Mature applicant qualifications

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

SQA, GCSE and IB

For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:

• SQA National 5 at C
• GCSE at C or 4
• Level 2 Certificate at C
• IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component.We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 162 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 65 with at least 54 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 7 overall with at least 5 in each component.*

We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the degree you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT, or Trinity ISE test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the degree begins, regardless of your nationality.

English language requirements

(*Revised 24 May 2024 to change PTE Academic requirement from total 62 with at least 54 in each component, and to clarify that we do not accept PTE Academic online. Revised 29 August 2024 to add Oxford ELLT requirements.)

With increasing migration in response to changing global dynamics, there is demand for our graduates both at home and abroad.

Wherever you are based in the world, the ability to communicate in Chinese, and to understand the cultures to which it opens doors, will make you stand out.

If you would like to work abroad, it is good to know that over one billion people worldwide speak modern Standard Chinese. Many countries, including Scotland, have strategic links with China.

As well as mainland China, our programme considers the significance of Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and their diasporas from a range of perspectives.

This particular degree benefits from a growing global market and interest in Asian art.

It prepares you for a range of careers in the art world, including:

• curatorships in galleries and museums
• art journalism
• publishing
• art dealing
• tourism
• graphics
• advertising
• heritage management
• auctioneering

Throughout this degree programme, you will learn a range of research skills which are both necessary for further study and highly transferable to a range of careers.

Increasing numbers of Chinese-speaking graduates are recruited by companies based in East Asia, a powerful player in the global economy. Other graduates use their skills and experience in the public, not-for-profit, and for-benefit sectors.