The doors you open by studying the world’s biggest language in terms of native speakers are endless.
By studying Chinese – usually in the form of Standard Mandarin – you’ll gain a deeper understanding of a language that holds a rich cultural history and an increasing importance on the global stage.
What career can I pursue with a degree in Chinese?
The language skills you acquire over the course of your degree, as well as the general communication and research skills you fine-tune along the way, make you an attractive prospect for employers across a range of different sectors.
Some of the more traditional career pathways once you graduate can include teaching – either English in a Chinese-speaking country or Chinese in an English-speaking country – as well as translation and interpreting.
What else can I do?
Moving away from roles that are specific to linguists, a degree in Chinese can help you launch a career in the tourism industry, in written and broadcast media, and in business.
As Chinese is generally not as widely studied as some of the more mainstream European languages – despite the market of 1.3 billion people it opens up – there will be no shortage of industries in which Chinese speakers are in demand in the future.
Can I take up a career in law as a graduate in Chinese?
With various major Chinese law firms having offices in London – including some of the ‘Red Circle’ firms – and international firms operating in China, it’s clear that your language skills will be valuable in the legal industry.
In order to qualify as a legal professional, you’ll first need to undertake a conversion course after graduating – the Graduate Diploma in Law, if you want to become a solicitor – before taking on a training contract at a firm and completing the relevant exams.