Entry Requirements

A degree in Chinese Studies and History offers intellectual challenges and rewards. It gives you insights into one of the world's most populous nations, with its rapidly developing economy, growing political influence and rich traditional and contemporary culture, and also a chance to study Chinese language as spoken by many millions of people throughout the Chinese diaspora. Taught jointly with the School of East Asian Studies, the second year of this four year programme is spent in China.

In the School of East Asian Studies you will follow a balanced programme that develops both your language skills and your understanding of how China works, in its politics, economy, society and culture. The intensive four-year language programme can accommodate both absolute beginners and students with some prior knowledge. Beginners will cover the core grammar of the language in the first year, as students who have studied Chinese before develop and consolidate their skills. You will spend your second year at the University of Nanjing, one of China's leading universities, covering more advanced material and more complex sources such as newspapers; after returning to Sheffield for the third and fourth years you will refine your skills in speaking, writing and understanding Chinese through work on material from the Chinese press, the internet, film and TV, fiction and official publications on subjects that affect the Chinese today, from education and the family to crime, the environment, ethnic relations and employment issues. At the same time, you will develop a critical appreciation of the challenges facing contemporary China through units on politics, society and the economy, as well as a more sophisticated understanding of specialised questions on population and environmental issues, business, on China's early modern history and literary culture, and on Taiwan.

In history, you will study core (compulsory) modules at each level, which will develop your skills, but you are otherwise free to choose from an enormous range of modules. These cover many different periods, countries and approaches to the past. There is a wide chronological and geographical coverage of history from the late Roman to the modern period, addressing political, social and cultural themes in history.

Entry Requirements

We accept all A-Level subjects, including General Studies.

View acceptable combinations of A-level subjects.

We also welcome applications from candidates taking other qualifications such as Access to HE Diplomas or the International Baccalaureate. Candidates only offering AS level History are also considered, in this situation you should use your personal statement to briefly make a case about why you were unable to take History to A-level.

• A Levels – ABB (including History).
• Two A Levels plus two GCE AS Levels – AB(History) + AB*
• Cambridge Pre-U – D3 M2 M2
• Two A Levels plus Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma – AB + Pass
• BTEC National Diploma in a relevant subject – DDM. An additional History qualification is required if the BTEC does not provide sufficient preparation in History
• Scottish Highers – AAAB
• Irish Leaving Certificate – AABBB
• International Baccalaureate – 34 points (including 6 in Higher Level History).
• Access to HE Diploma – usually in History or a related subject. 60 credits overall with Distinctions in 30 Level 3 credits and Merits in 15 Level 3 credits, to include History units.
• Core requirements - grade B in both A Level History or equivalent.
• Non-native English speakers: minimum of IELTS 7.0 (with 6.5 in each component) or equivalent.

View alternative acceptable English qualifications.

* Please note we would normally expect candidates to be taking three subjects at A-level (or equivalent) and this offer will only be used where an acceptable explanation for the alternative route of study is included in the application.