• Studier
• Studieprogrammer
• Asiatiske og afrikanske studier (master - to år)
• Chinese Studies (discipline)
  • Why choose this programme option?
  • Learning outcomes
  • How to apply?
  • Structure and accomplishments
  • A semester abroad
  • Employment opportunities
  • Teaching and examinations
  • Quality assurance
  • Contact us

Chinese Studies (programme option)

• Why choose this programme option?
• Learning outcomes
• How to apply?
• Structure and accomplishment
• Teaching and examinations
• A semester abroad
• Quality assurance
• After completion / career opportunities
• Contact us

Why choose this programme option?

The main aim of the Master’s Degree course in Chinese Studies is to enable the student to work independently with subjects related to the study of Chinese based both on Chinese and western sources. The student learns to restrict the subject field, find source material, use scientific methods, read sources critically and express him/herself in written form. These are abilities and skills which are essential for candidates who wish to work with China, whether they wish for a business career or hope to continue as a researcher on completion of their MA degree.

Learning outcomes

Objective The aim of the first year of the Master’s Degree course is to further develop the student’s ability to read advanced texts in Chinese, as well as to develop a critical and analytical ability to relate to and utilise various forms of source material in the study of the Chinese language and Chinese culture.

The student will then use this competence in the individual work during the course’s second year. The subject for the thesis is decided in co-operation with the supervisor, primary- and secondary material is collected, theory and method is discussed with the supervisor and the thesis is written under supervision.

How to apply?

THERE ARE NO ADMISSION TO THIS PROGRAM OPTION FROM AUTUMN 2010. INFORMATION ON RELATED STUDY OPTIONS WILL BE PUBLISHED SHORTLY.

Tuition fees: No tuition fees

Admission requirements

For admission to the Master’s Degree in Chinese an 80-group in Chinese language at BA-level is required with a minimum grade of C. In addition the following background courses should have been passed: a 40-group of area studies in East Asian Studies.

Transition from the earlier course of study: Chinese major subject (storfag) with a mark of 2.7 will also qualify for admission. Students from other educational institutions may be admitted on condition that they have a BA degree or equivalent with the main weight on Chinese language and culture.

Ranking of applicants

Applicants are ranked according to their grade point average (GPA). Applicants who can not be estimated according to their grade point average, will be ranked based on individual assessment.

Admission to 1-2 years' Master's programmes is subject to Regulations governing admission to 1- to 2-year master's degree programmes at the University of Oslo .

Recognition of prior education

If you have previous higher education, you may apply for specific recognition of this education as part of your degree. Education from both Norwegian and foreign higher education institutions may be recognised. Recognition depends upon whether the education meets the specific requirements of your degree. Read more about recognition of prior education at the Faculty of Humanities.

Structure and accomplishment

The aim of the first year of the Master’s Degree course is to further develop the student’s ability to read advanced texts in Chinese, as well as to develop a critical and analytical ability to relate to and utilise various forms of source material in the study of the Chinese language and Chinese culture. The student will then use this competence in the individual work (master thesis) during the course’s second year.

1st and 2nd semester (60 credits):

40—60 credits must be taken from among the following courses:

• KIN4012 - Language/Literature 1
• KIN4022 - Language/Literature 2
• KIN4011 - History/History of Ideas 1
• KIN4021 - History/History of Ideas 2
• KIN4013 - Anthropology/Sociology 1
• KIN4023 - Anthropology/Sociology 2

Up to 20 remaining credits may be taken from among the following courses:

• KOS4000 - Project Description for Asian and African studies
• KOS4001 - Grunnlagsproblemer for asiatiske og afrikanske studier
• KOS4002 - Fieldwork Method and Practice
• KOS4010 - Current Themes in Asia and Middle East Studies

Alternatively, up to 20 remaining credits may be taken from among other courses that are deemed by the student's advisor as being relevant for the student's individual work (master thesis).

3rd and 4th semester (60 credits):

• KIN4590 - Chinese: Master’s Degree thesis in Asian and African Studies

The thesis is to comprise 70 to 100 pages and is to be an individual research work. The thesis counts 60 credits. The subject for the thesis may be chosen from a wide range of topics associated with Chinese culture. The thesis is written in English or a Scandinavian language. The 6 different courses are taken during the first two semesters. The thesis is written during the last two semesters.

Alternative:

If you want to complete a masters degree with more labour market relevant courses, you may choose this alternative: After completion of the first 60 credits of courses you take the course International Project Semester(AAS4900) and after that write a 30 credit master thesis.

• AAS4900 - International Project Term in Asia and Africa
• KIN4592 - Master's Thesis: Chinese (AAS 30 sp)

This master thesis can be only taken in combination with the course AAS4900 (International project semester) and presupposes that the student has been already enrolled for the course AAS4900.

The order of completion of the course of study can be like this:

4. semester

Master’s Degree thesis

3. semester

Master’s Degree thesis/ International Project Semester

2. semester

KIN4021

KIN4021

KIN4021

1. semester

KIN4011

KIN4012

KIN4013

10 ECTS credits

10 ECTS credits

10 ECTS credits

Teaching and examinations

Time and location

You will find time and place for teaching and examinations at the semester pages for each course. Please see the list of courses offered at the University of Oslo.

Teaching and learning methods

Language

English

Location

Universitetet i Oslo

Forms of examination and assessment

Language of examination

In the courses comprising the programme option, the exam question papers are given in English, and the answer papers are normally supposed to be delivered in English. The course descriptions provide more information about requirements concerning the language of examination.

Grading scale

The programme option contains both courses using the pass/fail scale and courses using the grading scale with five steps from A to E for pass and F for fail, cf. § 6.1 i Forskrift om studier og eksamener ved Universitetet i Oslo (Norwegian only). Each course description provides more information about the grading scale in use.

Please see § 6.1 (3) for description in English.

Diploma

The diploma is issued when you have completed the combination of courses which fulfill the degree requirements. The diploma is issued in English. With the diploma you also receive a Diploma Supplement, providing more information about the degree and about the Norwegian system of higher education.

A semester abroad

Parts of the study programme may be taken abroad. Some students will do field work abroad, others will take courses at a partner institution. Please contact the programme administration for further details about the possibilities of a period abroad.

As a student at the University of Oslo you have many opportunities to take parts of your degree abroad. You will find general information about the University of Oslo’s exchange agreements at uio@utlandet - delstudier i utlandet. Chinese as a subject has a considerable network with leading researchers in China, Taiwan and many other countries. There are ample opportunities for a period of study abroad. Fieldwork and/or collecting of material in a Chinese speaking area can often be relevant when writing the thesis.

Quality assurance

The University of Oslo aims at offering an innovative and relevant education with the best teaching and tuition possible. It is therefore important that you as a student give us feedback and contribute to evaluations of your programme and courses.

The programme of study is regularly evaluated to ensure and develop the quality of the programme:

• Each year, the programme management conducts a review to assess whether the objectives of the programme have been met. External programme supervisors monitor examinations and assessment.

• At least every fourth year, the faculty conducts a more thorough evaluation of the programme. External representatives take part in the evaluation panel.

• Courses in the programme are evaluated regularly, according to a schedule decided by the faculty.

Read more about the quality assurance system at the University of Oslo.

After completion / career opportunities

The MA Degree in Chinese gives you competence in the Chinese language and Chinese culture. You can find career opportunities in information work, publishing, education and translation etc. The degree qualifies you for a wide range of careers in which Chinese language and knowledge of China are required. People with knowledge of China and Chinese are sought after in the world of business, the Foreign Service, the press, the travel industry etc. Possibilities for a career in research: Please consult the programme presentation with regard to a career in research.

Possibilities for a career in research: Possibilities for a career in research: Please consult the programme presentation with regard to a career in research.

Contact us

Drevet av Vortex