Chinese Studies

Degree: Master of Arts in Chinese Studies
Mode of Study: Full-time
Duration: 2 years
Start date: September
Language of instruction: English
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This two-year MA in Chinese Studies combines content courses with intensive and advanced language training. You will be taught by internationally recognised experts in fields ranging from political science to literature and religion, as well as experienced teachers of Chinese as a foreign language.
The programme will equip you with an excellent command of Mandarin (and – in the case of certain specialisations – of Classical Chinese), a broad knowledge of China, insight into its internal and external dynamics, and starting points for contextualising China within Asia. An important part of your training and education you will get from your one year stay at a prominent Chinese university.


In addition, the programme utilises the resources of the world-renowned Leiden sinological library, one of the largest and most diverse collection in Europe and an important reference point for scholars from around the world.

The information about this programme is available in the following languages:

Career

As a graduate Sinologist you will be employable in a wide range of career areas. Graduates frequently find employment in policy-making occupations—within government ministries, for example. You will also find your skills sought after within the world of commerce. Alumni can be found working within management positions in NGOs, multinationals and SMEs in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and elsewhere in Asia.

You may also find employment with news organisations—as journalist or correspondent—or work within public relations, as a travel guide, interpreter or translator, although many positions require additional courses after your graduation.

Some figures about graduates of Chinese Language and Culture

How succesfull are they in finding a job?

  • 100 % found a job within six months.
  • 76 % found their first job at academic or HBO (higher professional) level.
  • 94 % held a position at academic or HBO level when the study was carried out.

For instance:

  • Sales Representatieve bij China Southern Airlines
  • Trainee at Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • Policy officer at Dutch Ambassy in Beijing
  • Project manager at Chinese company

In which sector do they find jobs?

  • Business services: 167
  • Research: 111
  • Banking: 111
  • ICT: 111
  • Government / semi-government: 111
  • Consultancy: 56
  • Other: 328

What are their main tasks and responsibilities? (%)

  • Policy-making / preparation: 39
  • Co-ordination of work: 33
  • Providing advice: 28
  • Archiving / classifying / administration: 22
  • Press briefing / PR: 22

Source: Employment Market Study among Leiden Graduates of Chinese Language and Culture (2009, Student Career Service Humanities )

What our alumni say

“The master’s gives you the opportunity to develop your own initiative, but at the same time you also receive a high degree of supervision.”

“As soon as I obtained my master’s degree last year I joined the Civil Service management trainee programme. I thought it would be a good way of getting into the Civil Service, but to my surprise I was immediately selected for Foreign Affairs, the very place I most wanted to work. My current job is as a policy adviser in the Western Hemisphere directorate, in the Latin America and Caribbean department. It’s a job I really enjoy.’

I have always been keen to go abroad. During my study I spent a year in Beijing, which was great! It was a wonderful experience to live in such an enormous metropolis. I visited China again during the last three months of my master’s, for my thesis research.

The Master’s in Chinese Studies primarily prepared me for my current job because I learned how to work independently and how to handle politically sensitive issues. It gave me the opportunity to develop my own initiative, but at the same time there’s also a high degree of supervision. Students who show initiative are always highly praised. The more energy you put into the study, the more energy your supervisor will invest in you. For me, that’s just how it should be. The added value of a master’s study is that you further develop your talents so that you can work independently, take initiative and conduct yourself in a professional manner. Chinese Studies definitely fits the bill.”

Career Prospects

Where do our graduates end up?

  • Project co-ordinator at Crestec Europe B.V. This company specialises in Document Engineering, including creating, translating and distributing documents
  • Curator of the China department in the National Museum of Ethnology in Leiden
  • Personal Assistant, General Affairs Division at the Taipei Representative Office
  • Sales Representative at China Southern Airlines
  • Independent entrepreneur, started own company named Ming Bai. This company arranges excursions and lectures, and writes articles and travel guides.
  • Editor at the foreign affairs department at the Dutch Newspaper NRC Handelsblad
  • Representative for the regional office of the Netherlands Business Support Office in Nanjing
  • Policy officer at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • Executive Director at Chinatown International District/Business Improvement Area
  • Senior Adviser Marketing at Nuffic. Nuffic is the Netherlands organisation for international co-operation in higher education
  • Project Manager South Holland – Hebei Co-Development Programme at the Science Alliance. Science Alliance is an intermediary organisation that promotes co-operation and knowledge transfer between universities and external parties
  • Senior Relationship Manager at the ING Group, one of the largest banking/financial companies in the world, of Dutch origin
  • Associate Corporate Finance at Atradius, a company that supports businesses in managing their credit risks
  • Taipei Representative at the Economic Division Office in Nederland
  • Managing Assistant at Hofung Technology. This company specialises in marketing and sales of technology and equipment for diverse industries in China