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Sinology – (M.A.)
School of Oriental and African Studies
Faculty of Languages and Cultures
- Programme website
- University Website
- City government site
- Student experiences about the UK - STeXX.eu
| Application Deadline: | June 30 | ||
| Annual Tuition Fee: | ≈ € 5,641 - ≈ € 15,000 (non-EEA) | ||
| Location: | London / United Kingdom / View location on map ▾ Hide location on map ▴ | ||
| Duration: | 12 months | Start Date: | September |
| Educational Form: |
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| Education Variants: |
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| Languages: | English | ||
Location of School of Oriental and African Studies
Students are expected to have a degree of at least upper-second class level or equivalent and to have proved to our satisfaction that they have a competence in Chinese equivalent to at least the level reached by the end of our third year BA Chinese course. The degree is designed either as an end qualification in itself or to prepare the student for more advanced graduate work (MPhil/PhD).
The MA Sinology is designed to provide a training in advanced Chinese literature and documentary sources for those who already have a knowledge of Chinese (both classical and modern) to a level equivalent to that attained by the end of the 3rd year Chinese BA at SOAS.
This programme does not follow the major/minor pattern. Students must undertake a compulsory course together with two other optional courses.
Contents
Please note that this programme does not follow the major/minor pattern. Students must undertake the compulsory course together with two other courses. At least one course must be chosen from list A and students may choose a third option from List B. The dissertation must be related to either the compulsory course or one of the courses on list A.
Core
Sinological Methodology
This compulsory course offers uncompromisingly broad training in the essential tools and sources which must be mastered if effective research is to be carried out in the fields of Chinese literary and cultural studies. There will be no clear division between classical and modern Chinese or between materials in full form and simplified script, it being assumed that competence over a full range of the culture underlies research in any one aspect of it.
List A
(Students must choose at least one course from this list)
- Classical Documentary Texts
The objectives of this course are the introduction to study of representative genres in the classical corpus. Understanding of content and research value will be stressed rather than merit as literature. The classics, diaries, gazetteers, legal texts, anecdotal writings, collected works and critical writings will all be covered as well as other materials, and students will be expected to prepare annotated translations for class discussion as well as term essays on chosen topics. - Modern Documentary Texts
This course is designed to avoid word for- word translation and instead to stress understanding of style and content, while dealing with scholarly and reference texts more than with literary works. Major 20th century articles of influence on Chinese history, society and culture will be studied together with academic articles from leading journals in the humanities and social sciences, and students will be encouraged to introduce texts of relevance to their own special interests.
List B: Options
- Art and Archaeology of the Silk Road
- Ancient Chinese Civilisation (not available 2010-11)
- Chinese Art History: Critical Writing (not available 2010-11)
- Practical Translation: Chinese to English (half-unit term 1)
- Practical Translation: English into Chinese (half-unit term 2)
- Modern Chinese Literature
- Traditional Chinese Literature in Translation
- Art and Religion in Ancient China (not available 2010-11)
- Buddhist Texts in Chinese (not available 2010-11)
- Buddhist Texts in Chinese: A Critical Approach (not available 2010-11)
- Introduction to Classical Literary Tibetan (Masters) (not available 2010-11)
- Modern Chinese Film and Theatre (half-course term 1)
- Modern Chinese Literature in Translation
- Modern Film from Taiwan and the Chinese Diaspora (half-unit term 2)
- Chinese Cinema and Media (half-unit term 1)
- Knowledge and Power in Early China (half-unit)
- Chinese Religious Texts: A Reading Seminar (half-unit term 2) (15PSRH038)
10,000-Word Dissertation
The dissertation must relate to any or all of the courses designed primarily for this degree, i.e., Sinological Methodology, Classical Documentary Texts, Modern Documentary Texts and not to any optional courses chosen. Supervisors will be assigned in consultation with the course convenors according to the topic selected. Not all courses may be available every year
You are normally required to take an English Proficiency Test if you come from a non-English speaking country.
Most European Universities recognise the IELTS test.
More informationRequirements
Applicants should have a first or good second class honours bachelors degree from a UK university, or equivalent, in a subject appropriate to that of the programme to be followed. As an approximate comparison, an equivalent BA from a US university would have a Grade Point Average of either 3.3 or 3.5 depending on the awarding university. If an applicant does not have a bachelors degree in an appropriate field s/he may be required to complete a qualifying year or a one year diploma before entering the masters programme. Relevant work experience may also be taken into consideration. Individual courses may have specific entry requirements, so you are advised to consult the postgraduate prospectus for further information.
English language requirements
In order to ensure that SOAS students have a sufficient standard of English to study effectively, we require overseas students to submit evidence, during the application process, of their current level of proficiency.
Score for Unconditional Entry
- IELTS: Overall 7+ with at least 7 in all sub scores
- TOEFL: iBT105+ with at least 25 in all sub scores
- Pearson Test of English - Academic: Score of 75 or above with at least 70 in all sub scores
Additional Requirements
| Minimal degree required: | Bachelor's degree |
| Minimal amount of work experience | Not specified |
Language Proficiency
| IELTS Band: | 7.0 |
| TOEFL Internet-based: | 105 |
Funding details
Scholarships and BursariesThere are some scholarships and bursaries available for postgraduate students. These are very competitive and early application is advised.
Loans
Another way to fund your studies is through educational loans. Some high street banks offer loans for education. The other option is a career development loan. Before taking out a loan ensure that you understand what the repayments will be and that you will be able to afford them.
Professional and Career Development LoansA Professional and Career Development Loan is a bank loan for UK students designed to help you pay for your course. Repayments start one month after you complete your course. You can borrow between £300 and £8,000. The bank will approve your loan according to your credit rating.
US Federal LoansEligible US students can apply for Stafford Federal Loans, Federal Plus and private loans to cover their tuition and maintenance costs.
The Registry Fees and Scholarship section can also certify student registration for other loans, such as Canadian educational loans.
Please contact:
- Registry Fees Section if you have any queries on educational loans or fees for degree courses.
- Noel Connaughton for fees information for occasional courses, certificates and diplomas.
- CEFIMS for fees information for distance learning courses.
Other Sources of Funding
Useful funding information can also be found at:
- Hotcourses Scholarship Search
- HERO funding information for research students
Interested? Request information!
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