Research
Research degree programs are offered at three levels. From lowest to highest, these are:
Direct admission is possible at any level, provided that the applicable entry requirements are met.
For information on matters that are not covered here, such as fees and English-language requirements, please see the website of the Faculty of Arts and/or the International Office. The following links should be helpful:
In addition, the Faculty of Arts annually publishes a Postgraduate Handbook that contains important information applying to all candidates for research degrees. Enrolled students should make sure that they are familiar with this resource.
For application information, please click here.
Master of Arts (Research)
Entry requirements
A recognised undergraduate degree with a major (and/or three-year sequence) in Chinese and a Distinction average (75 percent or higher, or A-) over the undergraduate degree as a whole. Besides meeting University and Faculty English-language requirements, students must be able to conduct research using materials written in modern and/or classical Chinese and/or to communicate in Chinese for research purposes.
Intake
Students may start their candidature at the beginning of either the March or the July Semester.
Duration
1–2 years full-time; 2–4 years part-time.
Course structure
The following options are available. All thesis work is to be carried out under supervision arranged by the department and on a topic approved by the department.
- Two coursework postgraduate units of study and a thesis of 26,000–28,000 words;
- One coursework postgraduate unit of study and a thesis of 28,000–30,000 words;
- A thesis of 30,000–35,000 words.
Intended outcome
Advanced research and writing skills as well as specialised knowledge in a chosen area of study. The MA (Research) can also serve as preparation for research and writing at MPhil or PhD level.
Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
Entry requirements
Applicants are expected to have a Bachelor degree with First or Second Class Honours, or an equivalent qualification such as an MA (with a Distinction average or equivalent and including a dissertation or thesis) in a relevant area, normally Chinese studies. Besides meeting University and Faculty English-language requirements, they must be able to conduct research using materials written in modern and/or classical Chinese and/or to be able to communicate fluently in Chinese for research purposes.
Intake
Students may start their candidature at the beginning of either the March or the July Semester.
Duration
1–2 years full-time; 2–4 years part-time.
Course structure
Independent research on an approved topic under the supervision of two academic staff members, leading to the writing of a thesis (40,000 to 60,000 words).
Intended outcome
Advanced research and writing skills as well as expertise in a chosen area of study; the production of a thesis that makes an original contribution to scholarship, albeit at a less high level of achievement than is expected of a PhD thesis. The MPhil can serve as preparation for subsequent PhD candidature.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Entry requirements
Applicants are expected to have a Bachelors degree with First or Upper Second Class Honours, or an equivalent qualification such as an MA or MPhil (with a good Distinction average, i.e. 80 percent or higher, if applicable, and including a dissertation or thesis) in a relevant area, normally Chinese studies. Besides meeting University and Faculty English-language requirements, they must be able to conduct research using materials written in modern and/or classical Chinese and/or to communicate fluently in Chinese for research purposes.
Intake
Students may start their candidature at the beginning of either the March or the July Semester.
Duration
3–4 years full-time; 3–8 years part-time.
Course structure
Independent research on an approved topic under the supervision of at least two academic staff members, leading to the writing of a thesis (70,000 to 100,000 words).
Intended outcome
A successful PhD thesis should have the following characteristics, as assessed by expert examiners who have not been substantially involved in the student’s training. It will:
- Be a substantially original contribution to knowledge of the subject concerned;
- Afford evidence of originality by the discovery of new facts;
- Afford evidence of originality by the exercising of independent critical ability;
- Be satisfactory as regards literary presentation;
- Contain a substantial amount of material that is suitable for publication.