Master of Studies in Traditional China

Differences from 2021/22 to 2022/23

  • 1. Before admission to the course, candidates must either have taken a degree in Chinese in the Honour School of OrientalAsian and Middle Eastern Studies at Oxford or a comparable degree from another university, or must otherwise satisfy the Board of the Faculty of OrientalAsian and Middle Eastern Studies that they possess the necessary qualifications in the Chinese language to profit by the course.

  • 2. Every candidate must follow for at least three terms a course of instruction in Chinese Studies.

  • 3. Syllabus There will be four Units.

  • 4. Unit (i) Prescribed texts, with special reference to a subject approved by the Board. This is a written examination paper.

  • 5. Unit (ii) Either Classical Chinese unprepared translation or Japanese or another Asian language approved by the Board.  This is a written examination paper. Candidates may choose a language other than Classical Chinese only if the Board is satisfied that they possess a good knowledge of Classical Chinese. Candidates who have taken Chinese in the Honour School of OrientalAsian and Middle Eastern Studies at Oxford are required to take Japanese or another Asian language.
  • 6. Unit (iii) Bibliography and techniques of sinology, with special reference to the subject chosen in Unit (i). Exercises will be set after examinations for Units (i) and (ii) have taken place. Each candidate will be assigned one or more exercises set on a topic directly relating to the course of instruction he/she has followed, and will be required to submit a written answer to the Chair of Examiners by a date which the Chair will announce, but which shall, in any case, be not sooner than two days and not later than seven days following the examinations. Each essay must be submitted to the University approved online assessment platform. Candidates must include a declaration that the work is the candidate’s own.

  • 7. Unit (iv) A thesis of not more than 15,000 words (excluding bibliography) on a topic selected in consultation with the candidate's supervisor and approved by the Faculty Board. Applications for such approval should be submitted to the Faculty office by Monday of Week 0 of Hilary Term. The thesis must be submitted to the University approved online assessment platform not later than 12 noon on Friday of Week 4 of Trinity Term. The work must bear the candidates’ examination number (but not the candidates’ name). Candidates must include a declaration that the work is the candidates own. 

  • 8. Lists of set texts must be submitted to the Faculty office by Friday of seventh week of Michaelmas Term.

  • 9. Candidates may be required to attend a viva.