BA Chinese as a Foreign Language (two-subject BA without the teaching credential)

This degree program is aimed at those students who have a strong interest in the Chinese language and Chinese characters. As a general two-subject BA (without the teaching credential), any other subject offered in the two-subject BA programs at the University of Göttingen can be combined with this program. Theoretical subjects (Linguistics, etc.) or a second foreign language are highly recommended.

One great strength of the Göttingen Sinology Department is its excellent language training program. The language is taught exclusively by Chinese native speakers and in groups of less than 15 students. To enable you to consolidate and extend your language proficiency also in a Chinese-speaking environment, we will provide you with intensive support in preparing and implementing your study abroad in the fifth semester. Through long-term cooperation with universities in mainland China and Taiwan and regular monitoring of the learning progress achieved in these countries, we ensure optimal language training for our students also during their study abroad.

The program offers special courses for Chinese native speakers. These are designed to impart basic socio-political knowledge (history, politics, society, etc. of modern China).

In addition to the benefits of the program, the BA in Chinese as a Foreign Language you will receive upon graduation is a recognized degree from an internationally respected university. The University of Göttingen and its associated institutes regularly occupy top spots in national and international university rankings.

Verteilung Studieninhalte Sinologie

This graph shows the approximate distribution of the degree program content.

Gerneral Information
  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) (2 subjects)
  • Standard period of study: 6 semesters
  • Starting semester: Winter semester
  • Admission to the winter semester: 
    1st subject semester: open admission (enrolment without previous application)
    2nd to 6th subject semester: open admission (enrolment without previous application)
    International applicants (non-EU): open admission (Göttingen International and Team of the International Office)
Description of the program

The course objectives are divided into the fields of language training and the teaching of basic regional and historical Knowledge.

Language Training:
The program provides basic qualifications in modern Chinese standard language (both spoken and written) as a prerequisite for the mastery of everyday communication. The fifth semester is spent at a Chinese or Taiwanese partner university.
One great strength of the Göttingen Sinology Department is its excellent language training program. The language is taught exclusively by Chinese native speakers and in groups of less than 15 students. To enable you to consolidate and extend your language proficiency also in a Chinese-speaking environment, we will provide you with intensive support in preparing and implementing your study abroad.
Through long-term cooperation with universities in mainland China and Taiwan and regular monitoring of the learning progress achieved in these countries, we ensure optimal language training for our students also during their study abroad.

Basic regional and historical Knowledge:
The students acquire basic regional and historical knowledge (geography, climate, natural resources, customs, government, history), which enables them to take up teaching assignments in the future.

Subjects in 2-subjects-BA programs

You can find the subjects offered in a 2-subject-BA program here.

Career Prospects

The training during the Bachelor's degree program in East Asian Studies/Chinese as a foreign language prepares the student for:

    • Teaching assignments in the Chinese language, for which an in-depth knowledge of the language and a basic knowledge about the country and the history of modern China inclusive of first experience in both studies and everyday life in situ are a prerequisite.
    • Translation tasks in commercial enterprises, media, tourism, foundations and cultural exchanges, libraries and publishing houses.

Students wishing to pursue this career path can enroll in the consecutive postgraduate program M.Ed. in Chinese as a Foreign Language.

The selection of the combination of subjects plays an important role in the preparation for a future professional career, in the fulfilment of the requirements of the area of professionalization, and the acquisition of core competencies. It is recommendable to use the Student Advisory Service.

Language of the program

The language of the program is German.

The knowledge of English and one other modern foreign language is recommended with at least at the level B2 of the common European framework of reference for languages.

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