This course delves into the intellectual, moral and social heritage of ancient China, exploring how classical Chinese thinkers conceived the development of human excellence.
We’ll examine core principles, philosophical frameworks, and governing concepts of ancient China, examining their timeless wisdom and relevance. We will also explore the modern implications of sinology and how these ancient ideas can be applied today.
Join us in this journey of discovery, using a holistic approach to learning. Through this course we will bridge the past and present, uncovering timeless wisdom to foster personal and societal growth.
The BA (Hons) Sinology (Humanistic Education) is an English-taught undergraduate programme delivered by the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Academy of Sinology. This programme covers a wide range of important topics in Chinese studies, including Chinese philology, the pre-modern education system, Confucian classics, history, and ancient economic principles.
This Sinology programme has four unique features: accessibility, application, adaptability, and an interdisciplinary approach. Included, as an extracurricular part of this course, is the opportunity to learn Mandarin Chinese.
Students who successfully complete this programme will acquire skills that open up a wide range of career options, for example:
- Education and training
- Government and public administration
- Human resources
- Business administration
- Postgraduate study and research
Course details
- On-campus
- English
Tuition fees 2024/25: £8,000
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
This programme aims to develop extensive knowledge and skills in Sinology.
By analysing key classical Chinese texts, students will gain in depth knowledge and understanding of their core concepts and values. This includes, studies across the Four Books (sishu 四書), in order to provide further understanding of foundational texts in the humanistic education of late imperial China. These texts were decreed as compulsory learning for classical scholarship and public service but also significantly influenced premodern Chinese cultural values.
The Four Books modules are complemented by philological training to assist with close reading of texts, alongside interdisciplinary modules focussing on Political, Educational and Economic Thought around the application of the humanistic education.
Students will develop a wide cultural literacy, which will enable them to have a deepened cultural understanding on historical and contemporary matter related to China and the West.
The BA (Hons) Sinology (Humanistic Education) is the first English-taught undergraduate programme delivered by the Academy of Sinology, the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. This three-year programme covers a wide range of important topics in Chinese studies, including Chinese philology, the pre-modern education system, Confucian classics, history, and ancient economic principles.
This Sinology programme has four unique features
Accessibility: This programme is aimed at introducing students to the Chinese heritage as informed through foundational texts of the Chinese civilisation, Looking at how their insights can be interpreted and made fruitful for international audiences? Being delivered in the medium of English and exploring Sinology from an intercultural perspective, the programme is expected to help facilitate cross-cultural dialogue. There is no prerequisite requirement in Chinese language ability or literary Chinese. The classes will be tailored to the student to support them in understanding both modern and classical Chinese.
Application: Ancient Chinese thinkers discussed many methods and perspectives by which human excellence could be perfected – learning was part and parcel of the art of living. Based on close readings and analysis of representative works, this programme will equip students with skills to interpret links between Confucian philosophy, economics and other social sciences in a historical context, while applying the knowledge of ancient principles to modern situations.
Adaptability: Learners will be challenged to explore how traditional Chinese wisdom can be leveraged to address contemporary societal issues.
An interdisciplinary approach: Students on this programme will develop knowledge and skills that will allow them to engage with discourses in education, history, linguistics, and economics in a diverse interdisciplinary and methodologically way.
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testimonial
Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for assessments and feedback (NSS 2023) meaning the comments you get back from your work will help you learn. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as Top 10 in the UK for Lecturers and Teaching Quality. Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Accommodation
Lampeter Accommodation
Our Lampeter accommodation is based on our Lampeter Campus, meaning you are never far from what is happening on campus. We have a variety of different options open to our students which will suit all budgets.
Further information
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- UK equivalent (96 - 112 UCAS Points).
- International applicants must demonstrate a sufficient level of English equivalent to a minimum Academic IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with a minimum score of 6.0 in each of the four components (reading, writing, listening and speaking), or attain a UK NARIC approved qualification from an English-speaking country. Please note that the University will only accept IELTS certificates from a UKVI-approved test centre and applicants must select the “IELTS for UKVI and Immigration Academic” category. For a list of approved centres, click here.
- NB. Grades are important; however, our offers are not solely based on academic results. We are interested in creative people who demonstrate a strong commitment to their chosen subject area and therefore we welcome applications from individuals from a wide range of backgrounds.
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The programme’s assessment strategy consists of formative and summative assessments. Formative assessments aim to use the form of ‘spiral assessment’, encouraging students to revisit and implement standards that have been covered in previous modules.
Spiral assessment is further supported by the fact that all modules centre on critical engagement with canonical texts. Skills developed in earlier modules will be practised and honed in later modules.
Most modules include a practical assessment, that is a presentation in English. The aim of the presentation is to ensure continuous development of English language skills among the cohort, but also to ensure that students are being assessed in situations that are likely to resemble their later employment situation as teachers of Chinese culture.
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For further information about this programme, please email sinology@uwtsd.ac.uk