The past three decades have witnessed the unprecedented development of China as the second largest economy in the world and a leading force in global politics and beyond. Mandarin Chinese is now spoken by over 1 billion people worldwide, and as the country has become increasingly open to the West, learning its language and culture has become a key to competing in many industries. China's economic development and the critical role the country has come to play suggests the timely importance of Chinese studies.
Chinese studies looks at China both as a vital part of the world today and one of the longest continuing civilizations of human history, and it has a dual focus on language and culture. To study China is to discover global connections evidenced through language, literature, art, philosophy, religion, and history, as well as social, political, and economic structures. Majoring in Chinese studies will prepare you for a career or graduate programs in political science, international studies, finance, and other fields.
In addition, you'll study philosophy, theology, history, mathematics, languages, and the arts through Fordham's common core curriculum, the centerpiece of our liberal arts education. We want you to excel in your field__and as a human being.
Bachelor of Chinese Studies at Fordham University
The Chinese Studies at Fordham University is a Full Time Bachelor program offered across its Lincoln Center and Rose Hill campuses in Manhattan , United States of America. The program is delivered on campus in English and can be completed in 4 years. Students develop academic knowledge and practical skills that prepare them for future careers in this field. The next available intake starts on August 30, 2027.
About Bachelor of Chinese Studies
The Chinese studies major provides students with solid training in reading and speaking Mandarin Chinese, and it also introduces students to a broad range of Chinese cultural issues and critical phenomena through multiple disciplines. Coursework falls into two categories: (1) cultural study from offerings within the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures and other departments at Fordham, as well as (2) Mandarin Chinese language study. Students will take courses in both Chinese and English.
Majors in Chinese studies must take four required courses:
- Approaches to Literature
- Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism: Chinese Thought and Literature
- Chinese Cultural Concepts
- Chinese Studies Senior Research Paper
You'll also choose six electives from courses such as:
- Politics of Language in China
- China and Globalization
- Learning Mandarin Chinese Through Music and Songs
- Gender and China
The major in Chinese studies will give you the language skills and cultural understanding to pursue a career or graduate study in fields including:
- Business
- Mass media
- Law
- Governmental agencies
- NGOs
- Philanthropic organizations
- Relief and aid agencies
- Human rights groups
Our career services tap Fordham's ties with more than 3,500 companies. We offer:
- Post-graduation career search
- Resume development
- Interviewing practice
- Networking skill development
- Hands-on case-study sessions with industry executives
- Field-specific advising/coaching
You also get access to our powerful network of alumni, who want to see you succeed as they have.
Disciplines
Requirements and Admission Criteria for Bachelor of Chinese Studies at Fordham University
Entry Requirements
- Common Application, including the essay and optional short answer response in the writing section, and the $70 application fee.
- Letter of Recommendation
- Transcripts
- English Language Proficiency Test Results
- International students whose first language is not English must demonstrate their proficiency through English Language Proficiency test results.
- TOEFL iBT: 90+ (Fordham code: 2259)
- TOEFL ITP Level 1 Test with Vericant Interview option (China only): 575+
- IELTS & IELTS Indicator: 7.0+
- Duolingo English Test (DET): 125+
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): 65+
- International students who are not submitting required TOEFL, IELTS, DET or PTE results must complete the English Language Proficiency Test Waiver Request Form linked within the online applicant portal after an application has been officially submitted.
- Applicants who live in the New York City area can alternatively take Fordham’s ESL placement evaluation (FELT) at the Institute of American Language and Culture. Email [email protected] or call +1-212-636-6353 to make an appointment.
- International students whose first language is not English must demonstrate their proficiency through English Language Proficiency test results.
- Fordham University Statement of Funding or CSS Profile
- Fordham University has a need-aware admission process for first-year applicants who plan to attend Fordham for the Fall term on a non-immigrant visa.
- Applicants who plan to fully fund their study at Fordham are required to complete the Fordham University Statement of Funding. This form will be available to eligible applicants upon submission of the application.
- Applicants who plan to partially fund their study at Fordham and will apply for need-based financial aid are required to complete the CSS Profile and demonstrate an ability to pay (Expected Family Contribution) at least $30,000 USD per year.
English Requirements
- PTEMin 65
- IELTSMin 7
- TOEFLMin 90
Tuition and Fee Information for Bachelor of Chinese Studies at Fordham University
How to Apply for Bachelor of Chinese Studies at Fordham University
Required Components:
- The Common Application, including an essay
- High school transcript
- Letter of recommendation
Optional Components:
- SAT or ACT scores (SAT code: 2259; ACT code: 2748). We are test-optional for the 2023-2024 admission cycle. Please review our additional guidance on test score submission.
- Optional short responses
- Additional information
- COVID-19 impact
- Unique Fordham question
Selecting a College and a Campus
- Students must select a campus when they apply to Fordham, either Rose Hill in the Bronx or Lincoln Center in Manhattan.
- Students must also select a college when they apply to Fordham, either Fordham College at Rose Hill, Fordham College at Lincoln Center or the Gabelli School of Business at Rose Hill and Lincoln Center.
- Students are only evaluated for the campus and college to which they apply.
We’re here to help!
- Make sure to check out what we're looking for in our applicants.
- Requirements for international, transfer, as well as theatre, dance, and visual arts majors differ--so we have some helpful guidelines on these pages.
- Due to our large applicant pool, we are unable to accommodate requests for personal interviews.
Application Deadlines
Note on application deadlines: For Fordham University, we would like your application to be as complete as possible by the deadline. We do understand that it is not always possible for official scores and supporting documents to arrive with the application. Only the Common Application needs to arrive on or before the deadline. However, we should receive any other supporting documents within two weeks of the deadline.
Fall Admission
- Early Action (Non-Binding)*: November 1
- *Applicants to Dance and Theatre majors apply Early Action.
- Early Decision I (Binding): November 1
- Regular Decision: January 3
- Early Decision II (Binding): January 3
Spring Admission
- November 1 Deadline
- Students who are looking to enroll at Fordham in January 2024 should apply as Spring 2024 applicants.
Information About Application Fee Waivers
Our institution proudly participates in the following fee waiver programs:
- College Board’s SAT-to-College Application Fee-Waiver Program. If you took the SAT using a fee waiver, you automatically qualify for a college application fee waiver to apply for admission here at Fordham University. You can learn more about this program at College Board.
- Students can also select the "NACAC Fee Waiver" option on the Common Application.
- We are pleased to offer waived application fees for members and dependents of members of the US Armed Forces. If you indicate you are a veteran on the Common Application, we will automatically waive your fee.
- You’ll find a range of other fee waiver options on the Common Application. Please select the one that fits you best.
Am I a first-year student or a transfer student?
Any student who earns college credit after completing a secondary school diploma is considered a transfer student, regardless of the number of credits completed. Both matriculated and non-matriculated students who earn credit will be considered a transfer. If you have audited a class or completed noncredit coursework, then you may be considered an incoming first-year student. Typically, students who complete language intensive classes, who do not earn credit, are considered incoming first-year students.
Students who begin their studies at a college or university and withdraw prior to earning credit must contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission via email at [email protected] to confirm their status. In order to be considered as a first-year, a student must withdraw prior to the add/drop date at the institution they attended and provide official documentation (college transcript, withdrawal form) indicating the date of their withdrawal. In addition, to be considered a first year, the student must not have had any financial aid disbursed from the federal government while at the college or university that he or she attended.
The Office of Undergraduate Admission will exercise professional judgment and consider each student’s circumstances to ensure that, regardless of status (first year or transfer), the best interest of the student’s needs are met related to enrollment.
Note: Fordham University (its undergraduate colleges, graduate and professional schools) is an eligible institution of higher education that admits as students only persons who (i) have a high school diploma (ii) have a recognized equivalent.
United States of America, Manhattan