Chinese Undergraduate Study
Chinese degrees at the University of Exeter are taught within the welcoming and supportive community of the Department of Languages, Cultures, and Visual Studies, an internationally recognised hub of teaching and research in language and culture.
Over one billion people throughout the world speak some form of Chinese as their first language. You will therefore be mastering a global language, as well as developing your capacity to understand and analyse China through its culture, art, politics and history.
Study Beginners Chinese (Mandarin)
Top 150 worldwide for Modern Languages
QS World University Subject Rankings 2025
Spend a year abroad on an International Placement
1st in the UK for research impact
Joint 1st for world-leading or internationally excellent research, REF 2021
Discover Chinese at the University of Exeter
Understanding China is of increasing strategic significance. But how much do you really know about this fascinating country?
If you study Chinese at Exeter, our supportive and experienced staff will carefully guide you to become a proficient speaker, understand China’s fascinating culture and history. You will be taught by experts in their fields about Chinese history, literature, cultural exchange with the West, and the reception of Chinese culture in the UK.
We have carefully designed pathways focusing on core Chinese language teaching from beginner's level; your language study will be guided by both native and non-native speakers of Chinese. At the heart of our Department is our pioneering Language Centre, providing excellent teaching by experienced professionals.
Students have the option of spending their third year in China, studying with one of our prestigious partner universities such as Fudan, Peking, Tsinghua, Shanghai Jiao Tong, and Tianjin, or gaining valuable employment experience and applied learning by working abroad.
Customise your Chinese degree
You can study Chinese through four pathways:
Study or work abroad
The International Placement can be one of the most rewarding and enjoyable aspects of a Modern Languages degree. It is also one of the major factors that makes languages graduates attractive to employers.
By immersing yourself in the culture you study, you will not only enhance your language skills, but cultivate:
- strong intercultural understanding
- improved communication skills
- the ability to think and study in different ways
- resilience and confidence
- analytical skills
- adaptability, independence and valuable life experience
Meet our academics
Dr Shuo Huang
Associate Lecturer
Born and raised in Beijing where the most standard Mandarin is spoken, I have extensive experience in the delivery and design of Mandarin courses at University level and beyond. With a doctorate from Peking University, I have taught Mandarin Chinese to students from a wide range of linguistic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
Dr Yanling Yang
Chinese Programme Director
Before joining the University of Exeter, I held various roles in journalism, digital media project management, research, and lecturing in both the UK and China. Currently, my research endeavours are concentrated on a book entitled 'Making Film with China', alongside essays that further explore the policies and practices of transnational screens.
Dr Wenqian Zhang
Lecturer
My research interests include the translator’s brand, literary translation, contemporary Chinese literature and culture, book history and print culture.
Dr Yue Zhuang
Senior Lecturer
My main research interest is in the garden history and landscape studies in the early modern period, within the broad cultural context of philosophy, rituals, health and wellbeing, and social practices, in both China and Britain.
