Do you want to combine Chinese Studies with a specialization in a further subject? Then, the MA Chinese Studies with an Optional Focus is the right degree program for you!
The Institute of Chinese Studies at FAU offers a multifaceted and informed understanding of Chinese history and culture, literature, as well as the history of science and technology. Its central facet are the cultural and intellectual entanglements between China and the world. Teaching and research at the institute focuses on a broad range of topics from imperial to contemporary China. The MA is an interdisciplinary program collaborating with other disciplines at FAU as well as national and international partners. This enables a differentiated and reflected understanding of Chinese-speaking countries in the past and today.
- Small Learning Groups: Benefit from highly interactive, small-group settings that foster active discussion and collaborative learning.
- Excellent Student-to-Faculty Ratio: Take advantage of an outstanding student-to-professor ratio and direct academic support.
- Advanced Chinese Language Courses: Deepen your fluency through integrated, advanced-level Chinese language training.
- Optional Focus: Customize your degree by choosing from diverse specializations to match your individual academic and career interests.
- Free German Classes: Enhance your stay and career prospects with complimentary German language courses.
1. The Program
Chinese Studies with an Optional Focus (MA) is a unique, interdisciplinary degree program that combines studying Chinese studies with a specialization. The degree program integrates an in-depth education in Chinese Studies with acquiring fundamental knowledge in one of several subjects: English and American Studies, History, Sinology, Economics, Development Economics and International Studies, or Political Science. Students can choose one specialization. Chinese Studies with an Optional Focus is a research-oriented degree program which places great importance on interdisciplinary approaches to academic work. An essential part of the degree program is intensive Chinese language classes, including the academic translation of Chinese texts. The teaching language is English.
2. The Degree
The M.A. (Master of Arts) is an internationally recognised academic university degree. It enables you to take up doctoral studies in Germany or abroad and to undertake academic work in science and teaching. Our internationally oriented and interdisciplinary humanities program opens a range of career prospects in culture, media, education, private companies and public institutions.
3. Structure of the Program
The standard length of study in the MA course is four semesters. At least half of the required 120 ETCS (60 ECTS points) derive from modules in Chinese Studies; a further 30 ETCS points are gained from the master’s thesis (see table below). The rest of the ECTS depend on the optional focus. You will find a detailed overview of the program and the study plan in the examination regulations for the subject of Sinology in the Master’s program Chinese Studies with an Optional Focus: Fachstudien- und Prüfungsordnung. A list of all courses offered in Sinology can be found under information on the current semester. An overview of all modules is available in the Module Descriptions.
| Chinese Studies Modules | |||||||
| Semester 1 | ECTS | Semester 2 | ECTS | Semester 3 | ECTS | Semester 4 | ECTS |
| State & Society | 5 | ||||||
| Language Class 1 | 5 | ||||||
| Transcultural History | 5 | ||||||
| Intellectual History | 5 | ||||||
| Language Class 2 | 5 | ||||||
| Transregional Entanglements | 5 | ||||||
| Concepts & Translation | 5 | ||||||
| Politics & Economy OR Field Trip 1* | 5 | ||||||
| Science & Knowledge Systems | 5 | ||||||
| Methods & Approaches | 5 | ||||||
| Subject Focused Language | 5 | ||||||
| China in a Global Context OR Field Trip 2* | 5 | ||||||
| Research Colloquium & Master Thesis | 30 | ||||||
| plus 30 ECTS gained from courses in the optional focus (English and American Studies, History, Economics, Development Economics and International Studies, Political Science or Sinology); you choose your focus in the first semester.
*Field trips are irregularly offered by the Institute for Chinese Studies, see here for examples from the past. | |||||||
4. Admission Requirements and Application
The degree program starts each summer and winter term. We welcome your application for the summer term until 15 January and the winter term until 15 July. Detailed information about applying at FAU can be found here. Please use the Campo platform to apply. For questions about the application and enrollment process, please contact the Student Advice Center. For program-specific questions, please contact Stefan Christ. Application requirements:
- A degree including at least 70 ECTS in Chinese Studies or a related degree including at least 60 ECTS for Chinese Studies.
- English language proficiency of at least level C1 according to the CEFR.
- Good knowledge of Standard Chinese.
- International applicants: You need to provide officially certified copies of relevant certificates, diplomas and other documentation issued overseas. You must also provide officially certified translations of any original documents that are not in German, English or French.
- Applicants from China: Please note that you need to certify your degree via APS. Furthermore, all your documents need to be certified and stamped by a Chinese notary!
Regarding the language requirements, please note that German (level B2) is only required for certain focuses partly taught in German: History, Economics, and Political Science for beginners. English and American Studies, Development Economics and International Studies, Political Science for advanced students, and Sinology are exclusively taught in English and thus require no German.
5. Tuition Fees
There are no tuiton fees if you have German citizenship, citizenship of an EU member state or citizenship of a contracting state of the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA: Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein), if you have a German university entrance qualification, or if you have established ties to Germany. If none if these criteria apply, the fee is 2000 € per semester.
For more information, including on scholarships and exemptions, see here.