China matters to the world we live in, and a degree in Chinese Studies 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. Chinese is also a 'world language' - it has official status not only in the People's Republic of China, but also in Taiwan and Singapore, and it is spoken by many millions of people throughout the Chinese Diaspora.

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.

Throughout the programme, you will extend your research, presentation and analytical skills so that you can apply your understanding of China at work, ask new questions about China and communicate your answers effectively.